can a blacktop driveway be resurfaced

What are the steps to repaving a driveway?

• The best kind asphalt to use for a residential driveway is HL3.
• Order enough asphalt for 2.5 inches of thickness. ...
• Ensure you hire an experienced paver to apply the asphalt for this part (the asphalt must be applied when hot, you must pave it quickly!). ...
• Apply the asphalt in vertical paths, from the top-down.

When to repair or replace your driveway?

Your concrete driveway may be damaged if:

• There are cracks, splits, or breaks
• Your driveway isn’t clearing water or draining properly
• The seal or finish is corroded or worn away
• The base/foundation is unstable
• It is “too old” or beyond its lifespan

How to repair cracks in Blacktop driveways?

• Use kneepads to cushion your knees if you have to kneel to make a lot of repairs.
• To use the driveway as soon as possible, choose a rapid or fast-set crack filler.
• Some concrete patching compounds will harden in a few hours, but it make take days or a week for other kinds to cure and dry. ...

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How much does it cost to resurface an asphalt driveway?

Written by HomeAdvisor. Resurfacing an asphalt driveway costs $1,800 to $4,200, or $3,000 on average. This price breaks down to $3 to $7 per square foot for the typical 600 square-foot area. Resurfacing your driveway with asphalt involves performing minor repairs and applying a new layer on the top.

How to get rid of vegetation in a crack?

Why does my driveway have a sinkhole?

What is a hole in asphalt?

What to do if you add too much aggregate?

Can you skip the alligator asphalt section?

Is cold patching asphalt good?

Can you use water to repair asphalt?

See 2 more

How to Blacktop an Asphalt Driveway | HowStuffWorks

If the cracks and oil stains on your driveway are driving you crazy, consider redoing your driveway yourself. It's an easy project and doing it yourself will save you a lot of money.Also, when you consider selling your home, a repaved driveway will give your home some curb appeal [source: NAHB].

How long does resurfacing a driveway last?

Resurfacing is when you replace the top layer of asphalt with a fresh layer. Resurfacing helps extend the life of your driveway for another eight to 15 years.

How much does it cost to resurface an asphalt driveway?

The cost to resurface an asphalt driveway is a fraction of the price it costs to install a new driveway. Resurfacing costs approximately $2.25 per square foot. Patterns and colors cost more—around $4 to $8 per square foot.

What is sealcoating asphalt?

Sealcoating involves applying a liquid sealant over your existing asphalt pavement to seal the surface and fill cracks. The process protects the sublayers and foundation from the elements and delays driveway replacement.

How old does a driveway need to be to be repaved?

Asphalt driveways 25 years or older typically require repaving. Is it time to replace your driveway? Examine the pavement. If more than 30% needs repairs and if large cracks (greater than a quarter-inch wide and two inches deep) split the asphalt, consider repaving. An unsteady foundation is also a sign that you should start planning for a new driveway.

How old is asphalt?

The asphalt is less than 20 years old. Cracks are smaller than a quarter-inch wide. Cracks are less than two inches deep. Less than 30% of the asphalt needs repairs. Keep in mind that repairs are temporary. Eventually, water seeps between the old and new material. When this happens, cracks form again.

Can you patch crumbling asphalt?

Even if you’ve dutifully maintained your driveway and performed all necessary repairs, the materials break down over time. It becomes impossible to patch crumbling asphalt. You may begin to think your constant repairs aren’t worth the trouble. Installing a new driveway provides a smooth, safe surface you’ll appreciate each day.

What are the Different Driveway Types?

Whether your driveway is cracked, chipped, worn down to the aggregate, or stained from years of use and exposure to the elements, resurfacing is the best long-term solution. Once you’ve decided to resurface your driveway, you need to choose which type of material to use.

How to Know Which Driveway Type is Suitable for Your Home?

There are several factors you’ll need to consider when choosing a driveway type for your home. The first thing you should consider is your budget and the size of your driveway, as these two factors help narrow your options down.

What to Consider When Resurfacing Your Driveway

If you’re resurfacing your driveway, you need to consider the climate. In the UK, driveways struggle with flooding and water damage, so think about how your driveway will cope with rainwater.

Get a Quote Today for Driveway Resurfacing in Surrey

Axtell Surfacing has more than two decades of experience in concrete driveway resurfacing in Surrey. We help with maximising the space, visual impact and usability of our customers’ driveways. We offer advice and assistance with everything from regulations to choosing the best materials for your driveway.

When Is An Asphalt Overlay The Best Option?

An overlay can be appropriate if there are small issues like minor surface cracks, minor water damage, or if it’s uneven.

When is an overlay needed for asphalt?

Making the wrong choice could lead to more costly repairs. An asphalt overlay is generally recommended when the existing asphalt is in decent shape. The existing surface needs to be: Structurally sound.

What Is An Asphalt Overlay?

Asphalt overlay is an asphalt repair method in which a new layer of asphalt is applied over the existing pavement. Generally, the new layer is at least 1.5 inches in thickness.

What does "clean and free of large debris and dirt" mean?

Clean and free of large debris and dirt. Capable of binding with the new layer. Able to provide adequate drainage. This means there is no large cracking in the pavement or deterioration of the binder. If cracks in the pavement go all the way to the base an overlay will not fix the problem in the long term.

What to do if a solid base remains?

If a solid base remains then an overlay might be the way to go.

Can you replace a driveway with an overlay?

If there are major problems like large potholes or improper draina ge the best solution is to remove and replace the whole driveway. An overlay that is applied over an unstable base will end up cracking within a few years of installation—likely during the first winter after the repair is done.

Can tree roots crack a driveway?

This can happen as early as the first year the driveway goes through a Winter/Spring cycle. Tree roots can also crack a driveway as well as earth movement. In these situations, homeowners need to assess how serious the problem is and find the best way to fix it.

Why does my driveway have potholes?

That’s because a pothole forms when the subgrade beneath a patch of asphalt erodes away. Without a sturdy base, the flexible asphalt quickly collapses on itself, forming a pothole. If your driveway has potholes, they won’t go away for long if all you do is fill the holes.

Why is asphalt good for snow?

That’s because asphalt is the best material around when it comes to snow. Asphalt’s deep black color attracts heat and helps to melt the snow off your driveway more quickly. But that’s not the only thing it’s good for. Asphalt is also incredibly porous. That means when the snow on your driveway does melt, a lot of it melts and drains through ...

Is resurfacing a driveway good for a house?

If you’re here, you probably already know that resurfacing your asphalt driveway is one of the best and most cost effective ways of protecting your driveway investment. And it is an investment: driveways are expensive, inching up towards the $10,000 mark brand new, but they greatly impact a house’s curb appeal. So much so, in fact, that a prospective buyer might pass up on a house solely because it has a shoddy driveway.

Does asphalt melt snow?

Asphalt is also incredibly porous. That means when the snow on your driveway does melt, a lot of it melts and drains through the asphalt, meaning your driveway melts and drains snow more efficiently than your neighbors.

Does asphalt need a base?

Since asphalt itself is supple (a quality that makes it perfect for parked and moving cars alike), it requires a sturdy underground base to keep its shape. Without that base, asphalt would sink and deform extremely quickly. If you know your driveway has a solid base, you’re good to go ahead with resurfacing.

Can you repave asphalt when it rains?

When Rain is in the Forecast. You can repave asphalt when it’s raining, the effects just won’t be pretty. When it rains, the wetness will cause the oils in asphalt to separate from the rest of the mixture and weaken the whole thing. This can lead to oily runoff and craters.

Can you resurface a driveway?

But before you pull the trigger on a driveway resurface, you should know when the conditions are right (and when they aren’t) to get the service done.

How to fill cracks in a concrete slab?

For larger cracks, erosion, and sunken areas, you can use paste filler. Apply the material using a wider putty knife and then polish over the edges with a trowel.

How to repair a crack in a drywall wall?

For the narrow cracks (up to half an inch), use a liquid filler. Simply cut the nozzle of the filler bottle and pour the substance into the crack, allowing it to overfill a little. After you have filled up the crack, use a putty knife to spread the filler bead evenly above the crack and the adjacent area.

Can you use a drill to resurface a driveway?

For this, you can use a drill or a mixer, or you can do it by hand. If there is an oil stain on your driveway, it may pose an obstacle to the proper adhesion of the resurfacer, so you will have to remove it.

How much does it cost to resurface an asphalt driveway?

Cons: This is not a DIY project; you’ll need to hire a local pro for driveway resurfacing, and it costs more than simple patches. Expect to pay an average of $3,000 to resurface an asphalt driveway. It still works best for driveways that are in overall decent condition and are five to 15 years old .

How long does a new driveway last?

Completely replacing a driveway means the new driveway should last 15 to 20 years .

What to do if you have cracks in your driveway?

If you’re dealing with growing cracks in your driveway, you’ll want to patch them as soon as possible. Patching means filling tiny holes or cracks with asphalt or concrete sealant, which you can pick up at a hardware store. If you don’t patch these small imperfections quickly, water will seep into the cracks and the gravel below the asphalt, leading the asphalt to crumble into a pothole.

Why is it important to have a driveway?

A well-maintained driveway can boost curb appeal, plus it’s easier to drive on and walk along a driveway that’s free of holes and large cracks. If you are looking into driveway repair, first weigh the pros and cons of patching, resurfacing, or replacing a driveway.

How wide is a crack in a driveway?

Driveway cracks that are less than a quarter-inch wide don't really indicate any deeper damage to the driveway surface and can be repaired easily with liquid crack-fillers.

Is resurfacing cheaper than patching?

Best value: In terms of cost, patching is the least expensive option, but resurfacing will last longer than patching while costing less than a complete replacement. Resurfacing gives you the best bang for your buck.

Is it better to replace a driveway or reseal it?

Pros: Replacing the entire driveway is a long-term solution, and you can start fresh on scheduling maintenance, like resealing the driveway. Replacing the driveway is the best method to fix large cracks, potholes, and other extensive driveway damage.

How much does it cost to resurface a driveway?

Most companies usually fix their charges on the basis of per square foot of resurfaced asphalt. You can expect to pay a minimum of $2.25 per square foot of the resurfacing area. In the US, the average cost of a 480 square foot driveway lies in the range of $2,900-$5,500.

What to do after resurfacing asphalt?

After the completion of Asphalt Pavement Resurfacing, stake it off with a tape to keep everyone off the surface.

What is Asphalt Resurfacing?

In short, Asphalt Resurfacing means layering new asphalt over the existing asphalt or concrete surface. This is one of the best options to maintain the appearance and longevity of a driveway or pavement. Whereas resurfacing old asphalt is certainly a more affordable option than replacement or Asphalt Restoration.

Why is asphalt better than concrete?

The reasons for that include its cost effectiveness and durability. Additionally, it doesn’t require heavy maintenance. This is probably the biggest reason why people often opt for Asphalt Resurfacing over Concrete.

How much asphalt does resurfacing add?

Resurfacing usually adds 1-2 inches of asphalt and corrects structural damage in the surface.

How long does asphalt last?

However, a professionally done asphalt resurfacing can easily last up to 15 years. So, there should be no need for a fresh asphalt application before that. Further, the lifespan will also depend on the proper maintenance of the new surface.

When is the best time to resurface asphalt?

The frequency of asphalt resurfacing will depend on many factors. One of them being weather. It’s better to undertake resurfacing work in the hotter months. Resurfacing in cold weather can lead to cold seams that will cause premature deterioration. Generally, resurfacing is best when the temperature is at or above 50 degree Fahrenheit.

How to get rid of vegetation in a crack?

Method 1) If you're on a tight budget and have a triangle-shaped gardening hoe lying around, chances are you can use the sharp-angled tip to get rid of vegetation from cracks which you will probably find mainly in alligator asphalt or wide cracks. Simply stick the angled part in the crack and pull it toward you.

Why does my driveway have a sinkhole?

Sinkholes and birdbaths are usually caused by major settling of the ground after the driveway was surfaced with fresh asphalt. They are either formed by a poorly constructed base (foundation) or the base has washed away over time and heat from the sun has warmed the asphalt enough that it contours to the missing base.

What is a hole in asphalt?

Potholes are pieces of asphalt that are physically gone from the asphalt. It literally creates a "hole" in the asphalt. The origin of the word is a bit hazy, but I'm sure you can use your imagination to come up with an idea of how it came to be known as a "pothole".

What to do if you add too much aggregate?

On the flip side, if you add too much aggregate, you'll end up with a bump on your driveway. If it looks like you've got too much, use your hoe or flat shovel to scrape some of it away before it's completely compacted.

Can you skip the alligator asphalt section?

If you answered "yes" to either of these, then continue reading. Otherwise, you can skip to the alligator asphalt section.

Is cold patching asphalt good?

While a lot of companies have tried to make a better traditional cold patch over the last 60 years, none of them have really been able to find a good long term solution despite claiming to. This has led several innovative companies to create non-traditional cold patch options that are more expensive but work just as good or better than hot mix asphalt so if you look at the longevity of the repair vs the cost of material, spend the extra money upfront and you'll spend less later. If you plan to replace the entire pavement area in a few weeks or months, then, by all means, get some cheap cold patch and call it a day!

Can you use water to repair asphalt?

Method 2) If you decide to use water (from the hose or a pressure washer), you want to make sure the area is completely dry before making repairs. Keep in mind, the problem with using water is that it will seep into cracks of the asphalt and if you cover the cracks up, there's no way for the moisture to escape.