How To Patch Small Asphalt Cracks

If your asphalt has some gouges, holes, or cracks, you can probably fix them yourself. Even if you don't have any experience working with asphalt, you can definitely manage using asphalt patch. If you use cold formula asphalt patch, you can't effectively fix small blemishes without too much prep work. This article explains how cold formula asphalt patch works great for most small residential repairs:

Cold vs. Hot Formula

Asphalt, when it is originally poured, is usually heated to make the thick substance easier to work with. Hot formula asphalt is the best way to pour large patches of asphalt. However, it is not the most practical product for fixing small cracks. First of all, you probably don't have the tools or supplies to actually apply hot formula asphalt. It needs to be applied while the asphalt is at a certain temperature, so the logistics of keeping it heated can be tricky.

Cold formula asphalt patch is definitely more convenient, even though it is not meant for large jobs. It comes in premixed tubs or in powder bags. The powder bags are the most cost-effective, especially if you have quite a few cracks to fill.

Prepping Your Damaged Spots

Regardless of if you use a premixed product or a powder, you do need to do a little bit of prep work before actually applying the patch. That is, you need to clean out the crack or hole that you are going to fill. For long, narrow cracks, you need to even out the bottom so the depth is uniform. That is, you might need to even fill in deeper sections of the crack so it is even with the rest. Make sure there are no weeds or grass growing out of the crack.

Applying the Patch

When you apply asphalt patch, you want to fill in the entire opening and then let it overflow onto the top of the asphalt. So, you just pour it directly into the crack. Then, you need to use a rubber squeegee to flatten it and make it smooth and seamless. This part of the process is very easy.

Sealing the Patching

The final step in the process is sealing the patch. When you do this, you will want to seal the entire asphalt slab and not just the patched areas. This will protect and preserve the patch and helped it blend in with the existing asphalt.

Contact a company like Claggett & Sons Inc for more information and assistance. 

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