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The first trick in asphalt driveway repair is to not to have any repair problems in the first place. How can you prolong the life of your driveway? First, make sure to keep your driveway clean. Remove any stains as quickly as possible. And, remember to seal your driveway periodically.

If you have cracks or holes in your asphalt driveway, how can you fix the damage? First, pull any weeds or grass which are growing in your driveway. Then, blast the driveway down with water from your hose, concentrating on removing any loose asphalt from damaged area. Then, sweep away any debris left. Next, scrub the area that you will be fixing with diluted laundry detergent or diluted driveway detergent using a stiff brush. Then, wash down the driveway again, squirting that water as hard as possible. You might either brush down the area again or use a shop vac to pick up any loose asphalt that is left.

After your driveway is completely dry, you can start your repairs. If the crack is small, under ½”, you can repair it using a crack filling compound and a putty knife. Simply caulk the compound into the crack and smooth it with your putty knife.

If you have a larger crack or a hole, you will need to buy some cold patch compound or asphalt. Follow the directions of the cold patch product that you purchase. Applying cold patch may require a wet surface. In general, you will be applying the cold patch in layers, depending on how deep the hole is, compacting each layer down, and then letting the patch dry before each new application. You can use a tamping tool or make a tamping tool yourself using scrap wood. The final layer will overfill the hole a bit. Then, you will place a piece of wood over the patch job and drive over it for the final compact.

After the holes or cracks have cured and dried, seal the driveway to prolong your repair.