how do i fix low spots in my driveway

1. Remove any loose material from the base of the depression by hand or with a small shovel. ...
2. Sweep the depression with a broom to remove any dirt and debris from the surface. ...
3. Add a 1-inch layer of cold-mix asphalt patch to the bottom of the low area. ...
4. Tamp cold-mix asphalt patching material down with a hand tamper or a 2-by-4 inch piece of lumber until you compact it tightly to the base of the depression.
5. Lay plastic over the patch, and then lay a sheet of plywood over the plastic. ...

How to fill in low spots on asphalt driveway?

How to Fill Low Areas in Asphalt Driveways 1 Remove any loose material from the base of the depression by hand or with a small shovel. ... 2 Sweep the depression with a broom to remove any dirt and debris from the surface. ... 3 Add a 1-inch layer of cold-mix asphalt patch to the bottom of the low area. ... More items...

How do you remove dirt from the bottom of a driveway?

If the dirt is still visible, wash the area with a hose and sweep dirty water out of the low spot. If the depression is grease or oil-stained, wash the surface with an asphalt cleaner to remove the oil and grease. Let the low area dry.

How do you fix a sunken driveway?

Scrub the asphalt near the area you are repairing with a scrub brush to remove any grease or oil. This helps the asphalt repair mix adhere better. Rinse the area with a garden hose and allow the driveway to dry. Coat the bottom of the sunken area with a thin coat of asphalt emulsion, using an old putty knife or a flat stirring stick.

How do you fix a puddle on your driveway?

Look at the driveway carefully from top to bottom, and watch for the rain hitting the puddles. This will tell you where the problem areas are. Clean each spot that you've marked with a broom or brush, then remove any loose asphalt or gravel with a chisel.

How do you fix a low spot on a paved driveway?

How to fix depressions in asphaltA temporary fix for minor depressions is a simple asphalt patch on top of the existing pavement. ... Permanent repair of asphalt depressions requires that the affected area be removed, the poor sub-grade be replaced, and a full-depth patch be applied over the repaired sub-grade.

How do you fix a low spot on a concrete driveway?

If you need to level low spots on your floor, use a concrete patching compound. The patching compound also works well to repair any cracks that formed when the concrete settled. You don't need many tools for this project, but you do need to wear protective gear for your eyes and hands.

How do you fix driveway depression?

0:371:35How To Repair Driveway Depressions - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhen using pothole filler use your trowel to apply material into the crack enough to form a smallMoreWhen using pothole filler use your trowel to apply material into the crack enough to form a small mound slightly above the level of the surrounding.

How do you level out a driveway?

How to Level a Gravel DrivewayStep 1: Level the Base & Prepare the Ground: ... Step 2: Repeatedly Tamper The Gravel: ... Step 3: Add A Crown & Create A Good Gradiant: ... Step 1: Identify the Issues & Drill Holes In the Surface: ... Step 2: Inject An Aggregate Mixture Into The Voids. ... Step 3: Level the Concrete & Leave to Cure.

How do you fill a dip in a concrete driveway?

The best and most long lasting way to repair low spots on your concrete driveway is to simply pull it up, add a new sub base, and relay the driveway using a newer and better material, such as resin bound surfacing. However, this may not be possible, due to cost or time constraints.

Can you add more concrete to existing concrete?

Yes, you can put new concrete over old concrete providing there are no issues such as significant cracks of frost heaves with your existing concrete. A new layer of concrete should be about two inches to ensure an even, strong coverage.

How do you fix concrete depression?

Clean the area around the depression by scrubbing it with detergent and water. ... Gauge the depth of the depression using a straightedge, such as a straight two-by-four. ... Fill the depressions with self-leveling concrete filler.More items...

What causes driveway to sink?

Erosion can wash soil away from under your driveway. This will create a void or space under the driveway slab. Voids under concrete slabs cause the concrete to sink and crack. Your driveway can begin to sink in areas where the soil has been washed out.

How do you raise asphalt?

Instead, you'll have to cut out the sunken asphalt (Photo 1). After it's cut, lay a block of wood on the soil at the edge of the driveway, shove a pry bar under the old asphalt, and pry against the wood block. The old asphalt will lift up and break off in sections.

Can a driveway be leveled?

Concrete leveling is a process used to fill voids under sagging concrete slabs, including steps, porches, patios, sidewalks, and driveways. The process involves drilling holes into the existing concrete and pumping a leveling material through those holes and underneath the slab.

How do you grade an uneven driveway?

5:2922:10Regrading gravel driveway...tips, tools and techiques explained - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor you this thing is designed to move material. And level material in other words it'll move dirtMoreFor you this thing is designed to move material. And level material in other words it'll move dirt it'll move rock. And I'll move land. And level land out for you so if you've got a really rough spot.

How do you fix low spots in a gravel driveway?

2:303:14How to Fill And Level A Low Spot With Gravel | John Deere Tips NotebookYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipComes out of the box filling the low spot then the box begins to fill up again and gravel continuesMoreComes out of the box filling the low spot then the box begins to fill up again and gravel continues to be spread evenly after a few passes the gravel in the filled.

How do you fix driveway dips?

0:184:31Driveway Pothole Repair - Asphalt Driveway Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo once you've cleaned the area real well the next step is you want to just get rid of any standingMoreSo once you've cleaned the area real well the next step is you want to just get rid of any standing water. So take a push. Through. And slightly damp is fine.

How do you fix concrete dips?

2:334:13How to Make Thin Repairs to Damaged Concrete with QUIKRETEYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEnough water should be used to saturate the surface. Although any standing water should be removedMoreEnough water should be used to saturate the surface. Although any standing water should be removed vinyl concrete patcher should be built up in layers using a margin trowel.

How do you fill depression in concrete?

1:122:21Patching, Filling & Grinding Your Concrete - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere's another trick to get the catching compound as even in level to the surface as possibleMoreHere's another trick to get the catching compound as even in level to the surface as possible typical some xylene and brush it over the patched area to smooth the surface. After.

How do you fix water puddles on concrete?

Where the water tends to collect, cut out a sloping channel in the concrete to direct the water away, filling it with decorative stone or gravel. Instead of gravel, you can also have a trench or channel drain made of metal installed.

How to clean a depression in a driveway?

If the depression is grease or oil-stained, wash the surface with an asphalt cleaner to remove the oil and grease. Let the low area dry.

What to do if asphalt patch compacts?

If the asphalt patch compacts lower than the surface of the existing driveway, add more patching material, lay plastic and plywood over the patch, and drive over it again until the patch is level with the rest of the driveway. Sal Marco began writing professionally in 2009.

What to wear when patching asphalt?

Wear gloves, eye protection, old clothes and old work boots when working with cold-mix asphalt patching material.

Does asphalt driveway freeze?

Asphalt has a measure of flexibility that allows an asphalt driveway to stand up well to freeze-thaw patterns rather than cracking or breaking. Uneven settling or a car, truck or travel trailer left on the driveway for a period of time can all lead to low areas on an asphalt driveway. Fortunately, asphalt driveway maintenance ...

What does it mean when your driveway is low?

If, instead, you see low spots and puddles on your driveway, these indicate that the surface is no longer level. Over time, chips, cracks and holes can develop on your driveway, creating uneven wear, low spots and damage to the surface.

How to identify puddles in driveway?

Mark the areas where puddles form by placing a solid object at each end of the puddle. You might want to wait until after a heavy rain, so you can easily identify these problem areas. Look at the driveway carefully from top to bottom, and watch for the rain hitting the puddles. This will tell you where the problem areas are.

How to fix low spots on asphalt?

Raising the low spots is a simple fix. Plan the project for a warm, sunny day. Set the bag of asphalt repair mix in the sun to make it more pliable for about an hour before you use it. Loosen any damaged asphalt from the sunken area with a putty knife, screwdriver or similar sharp object.

How to patch a low spot in a car?

Mound the final layer so it is higher in the middle. Tamp the final layer in place. Place a piece of scrap plywood over the patched area. Drive your car over the plywood several times to help flatten and pack the patching compound into the low spot.

What happens if you park in the same spot all the time?

If you park in the same spot all the time, you might notice four sunken asphalt spots. Rainwater converges in low spots to weaken the asphalt’s structure. Eventually cracks and potholes develop which make driveway repair necessary. Raising the low spots is a simple fix. Plan the project for a warm, sunny day.