Dealing with asphalt damage around here is a regular part of homeownership in Kirkland, Washington, especially with the heavy clay soils and wet winters we get in neighborhoods like Rose Hill and Juanita. Water gets into small cracks, freezes, expands, and pretty soon you are staring at a gaping pothole.
Before you grab a shovel or dial an asphalt contractor, you need to figure out whether you are looking at a weekend DIY project or something that requires heavy equipment. Here is how to break down the Asphalt Repair job before, during, and after.
What to Know Before You Start
Take a close look at the damage. Is it a shallow surface defect, or has the base completely failed? If you can stick a screwdriver deep into the sub-base or the whole area is sinking under the weight of your car, patching over it will not work.
For small, shallow surface cracks and minor depressions under a couple of inches deep, a bag of cold-patch asphalt from the local hardware store can buy you some time. But if you have alligator cracking, where the surface looks like a spiderweb or puzzle pieces, the structural foundation underneath is compromised. That is when you call in a crew like Ace Asphalt Paving to cut out the bad section and rebuild the base properly.
During the Patching Process
If you are tackling a minor cold-patch Asphalt Repair yourself, timing matters. Do not try this on a soggy rainy Tuesday in November. Clean out every bit of loose debris, dirt, and organic matter from the hole using a stiff broom and a wire brush. Pouring patch material into a dirty hole guarantees it will pop right back out under your tires.
Dump your patching mix in layers if it is deep. Do not just dump a five-inch pile all at once and expect it to hold. Tamp each layer down thoroughly using a heavy hand tamper or even the flat end of a 4x4 post. Proper compaction is key here. Without proper compaction, the patch stays spongy and will rut out within a month.
For larger patches requiring hot mix or full-depth saw-cutting, leave it to the professionals at Ace Asphalt Paving. Ace Asphalt Paving brings commercial compaction rollers and commercial-grade tack coat to bind the new asphalt to the old edge permanently.
After the Patch is Laid
Give your Asphalt Repair time to breathe and cure. Cold patch takes longer to set up than hot mix, and it stays relatively soft for a couple of weeks. Avoid sharp turns over the patch with your steering wheel while parked, as power steering scuffing will tear up a fresh patch instantly.
Once the patch has fully cured and hardened up, think about protecting it. Sealcoating the driveway every few years keeps moisture from seeping back into the seams around your new patch. Catching these spots early keeps your entire driveway solid for years to come in Kirkland.