Asphalt repair

[Hawkdriver]

Hey guys thanks for having me. Visited a lot and got great info decided I needed to become a member after all the great ideas I have received.

I’m looking at doing to extensive asphalt repair attempting to prolong my driveway life for another 4/5 years I did some repairs 2 years ago with crack fill ply stick and seal but it needs a bit more work. I’m willing to sink some cost and time to do it right short of getting it removed and redone. Inevitability I know that’s where it’s heading as the foundation is starting to have issues.

So I have a few cracks extending across the entire driveway approx 3/8 in and a good bit of bird bath /alligator cracks that need repaired Can anyone recommend some products commercial grade that I can use that will be better quality that the big box store stuff. I can post pictures later to get a better idea

Any advice would help and I am a realist and know this needs done professionally at some point I’m just trying to buy some time.

Thanks.

 

[Retroman]

I think your best option would have the alligator area's sawcut, removed, recompacted and patched with hot mix. Maybe some sand and Tack oil for the cracks.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

My driveway was badly cracked. Alligator cracks, some and in several places it was breaking up in large chunks. Last year I had a local company chip seal the entire thing.

 

[58Yeoman]

My driveway was badly cracked. Alligator cracks, some and in several places it was breaking up in large chunks. Last year I had a local company chip seal the entire thing.

This. I tried sealing the alligator spots and cracks for the 11 years that I've lived here. ~$500 every couple years with sealer didn't do the job. Couple years ago, I troweled the heavy stuff in, and the next year or so, it was the same. This year, we had it oil & chipped and like it much better. $4800 vs $9000 for an overlay.

 

[Hawkdriver]

Hey guys I appreciate your input. I’m really not looking to do much more than a repair job at this point. Will consider the tar chip in the future. I’m comfortable sawing out the bad adding new base and cold patching but I don’t think I’m going to get into hot work other than a propane torch if needed. I wouldn’t even know where to start with any hot work. So if anyone can reco and patches packs etc that are higher end that may buy me a few years. That’s what I’m after.

 

[Hawkdriver]

See attached pics of crack and depressions

 

[ItsNemo]

Meh, crack filler, cold patch, sealer...there's no fix that's going to last 5 years other than repaving the thing, so don't go overboard.

 

[zak77]

Yeah that asphalt is not easily repairable. The substrate is failing and nothing will fix it short of removing and replacing with new. The absolute furthest i'd take it is maybe filling larger cracks and maybe toss on a cheap, water based sealer if you really want to. It'd be better to use a professional asphalt based sealer but i dont think it's worth the added cost.

 

[55chevy]

Hawkdriver, I just did this. Pressure washed to clean out cracks, filled with sand within about 1/4 inch from the surface. Used pli stick tar rope from Home Depot and melted with propane torch. Leaving it barely below the surface for expansion and contraction. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Latex-i...iveway-Crack-and-Joint-Filler-36099/203491781

Repaired alligatored blacktop with this: https://www.asphaltsealcoatingdirect.com/products/big-a-alligator-asphalt-repair-5-gallon. Followed the directions and added several coats to remove birdbath area.

Finished it all with blacktop sealer that did not include sand. I've been working on this for months, just finished on Sunday. It is certainly better than $20,000 grand for a new driveway.

This is for a rental property that we own. Good luck with your project.

 

[Lassen Forge]

OK, you an do some kind of seal (slurry / sand) as long as your base isn't too far gone. If you have major (1/8"+) cracks, you will need to have those cracks sealed / filled using something like crafco and a kettle... THEN top your failing asphalt.

The real biggie is what do you have under that asphalt ccourse? If it's truly stable, this will work fine... but if it's that new (6 years), you eitehr have a **** asphalt pour, or your underlayment (AKA base) is failing, maybe due to groubnd shift or subsurface hydraulic erosion...

You CAN make a temp patch to your issue, but if you have a fubarred base or putting it on bad asphalt (dumped/rolled too cold, or a bad mix from the plant) you're going to be chaisng this tigers tail until it's pulled and fixed right.

 

[Hawkdriver]

Thanks for the info I did exactly the method you did with ply stick and unfortunately for me it didn’t last. Slightly better than was but the bigger still opened back up. Hopefully you have better results.

And the allugator patch you ref I have been eyeing and may be purchasing. I’m also interested in aqua patch But still trying to get ideas.

 

[Hawkdriver]

Yea I assume the base is failing. I also assume the driveway is possibly original 30yrs. So yes I know I’m on borrowed time just trying to borrow a few more years. I’ll look into your recommendations. Thanks.

 

[Toomanytools?]

I'm in the same boat I have about 210' X 14' driveway and 40'x50' parking asphalt about 25-30+ years old. Large 1-1 1/2' cracks and alligator areas, I have done the filling and Home Depot water based sealer, the last one lasted about 3 years. I had a bid last spring local guy would wash, trim grass edges back, fill all large cracks and do the best he could on the alligator section for $1500. The product they use is Armor Seal A-100, he says it would need to be redone every 3-5 years. Now I'm looking into the chip seal option.
The water based stuff just doesn't hold up for long. I get what your trying do, so good luck.