Driveway cracking

[jpcjguy]

Hi all,

So the end of my drive is getting some cracking. Anyway I can prevent it from getting worse? New driveway is not in cards.

 

[jack stand]

Bring the grade up to the level of the asphalt.
No part of an asphalt road or driveway is "structural" and an un supported edge concentrates a wheel load on what's effectively a corner.

 

[Garcky]

Looks like that's the edge, rather than the end. Given the way that was installed, it's going to be just about impossible to prevent that. Asphalt driveways have no real strength on their own. They depend on what's under them. On the edge you show there, nothing is really supporting or backing up the asphalt paving. It's gonna crack like that.

 

[mrvm]

Got to fill that crack pronto. Water entry, debris and winter freezeups will only make matters worse. Quit driving on the edges. Fill up the crack then sealing the edge as well as the rest of the driveway will help stabilize things.

 

[dougf]

Which way do you turn out of the driveway every day?
It looks to be on a slope, is water pooling at either side?
What about soil washing out underneath the driveway?

 

[jpcjguy]

we turn right out of the driveway 99% of the time - the only traffic that edge (should) sees, would be me on my mower. Unless others are making wide sweeping turns....
but I guess adding some soil next to the asphalt to bring it level and get rid of any "edge" could be done.
What should I use to fill the crack?

 

[Garcky]

we turn right out of the driveway 99% of the time - the only traffic that edge (should) sees, would be me on my mower. Unless others are making wide sweeping turns....
but I guess adding some soil next to the asphalt to bring it level and get rid of any "edge" could be done.
What should I use to fill the crack?

I think the first thing I'd do is carefully dig on the edge there to see what the thickness of the paving is on that edge. I'm betting it's not thick at all there, which is why it cracked off that way. When I had a driveway done at my previous house, the paver asked if I wanted to pay for some sort of edging for the lawn area. I thought about it, but said no. That edge did crack off to some degree, like yours is doing. It just wasn't very thick there on the edge. Some people put some sort of edging next to the pavement, using cobbles or pavers, to give the asphalt some support. If that's not there, you're likely to get that kind of cracking. I know my driveway did that.

In the end, I just sort of shrugged it off. It didn't get any worse.

 

[Zeke]

Concrete curb/edge.

 

[CN Spots]

I've used Sikaflex on my concrete cracks. It's still doing its job after 5 years. I see they make a black version for asphalt but I have no experience with that type.