Asphalt driveways can become damaged over time from erosion, tree roots, or heavy loads. To fix a hole in an asphalt driveway:

  1. Use a circular saw with an abrasive masonry blade to cut around the hole to provide a clean edge.
  2. Remove the asphalt and any loose soil from the damaged area with a shovel.
  3. For edge repairs, install a board even with the edge to hold the asphalt in place while it sets.
  4. Pour crushed limestone or gravel into the hole to act as a base for the asphalt.
  5. Tamp down base material using a hand tamp.
  6. Fill the hole with an asphalt repair material, like Blacktop Repair from Quikrete.
  7. Tamp down the asphalt repair material.
  8. Cover the patch with plywood, and drive over it to compact the patch.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Now, this problem may not affect everybody, but if you’ve got an asphalt driveway, chances are you’ll be faced with this sooner or later, and I’m talking about a pothole. It might be in the center; or, as we have here, a divot that was out on the side.

It’s pretty easy to repair. First of all, we’re going to remove all of the loose debris, get it out of the way, and clear it out. And in this case, as I was doing it, I found out that we had a rather massive root right in the middle of it, so we had to get the root out as well. Once that’s out of the way, we’re going to dig out that area.

We want to square off the edges. In the center of a driveway, cut a square. Here I just did somewhat of a triangle, just to give me some good edges to go to. Now, because it’s on the edge, I’ve also put in an edge board to keep it in place.

From that point, I was ready for my base, and this is important, folks. Make sure you’re not putting this right on top of the dirt cause it will settle. Put a nice base of crushed limestone; or, as we did here, gravel.

And now I’m ready for my blacktop repair. Pour it in, it’s going to be messy, wear some old clothes. Spread it out, get a steel rake, and tamp it down. It looks nice now, but we’re not quite through with it. What I’m going to do next is put a piece of plywood on top and drive a car right on top of it to help pack it in.


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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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