We need to talk about how to resurface asphalt driveway because it means no sense to repair the driveway again and again. The asphalt driveway indeed offers beautiful appeal unless it loses its glory after a certain age.
Maybe you are about to repair it as a temporary solution. 12 or 13 years later, the asphalt surface is no longer in a repairable state. That means resurfacing asphalt becomes the ultimate solution to regain the glory of your driveway.
We are here to talk about the resurfacing process because it needs several steps to complete. Let’s start from the beginning and find out what we need to understand about resurfacing asphalt driveway.
What Are Asphalt and Resurfacing?
Asphalt is one of the most popular mixed materials that is used on the surface of the road. It’s a mixture of different materials, including stone, sand, gravel, and bitumen.
After the mix, it becomes a sticky and semi-solid black mold. Most of the time this material is used for paving roads, driveway, walkways, and parking lots.
Asphalt can be used in different ways and resurfacing is one of these. Adding a new layer of asphalt over the old layer of asphalt is known as resurfacing. See, it’s simple to understand.
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How To Identify The Time To Resurface Driveway?
Not all the time you need to apply a resurfacing method to make your driveway useful again. There is a specific time to do it. But how do you ensure it? Don’t worry, keep reading below to know why and when you need to do it. You’ll find the answer.
- Alligator Cracks
it’s a group of cracks that thin, but looks like alligator scales
- Cracking
1/8” to ½” wide, but a large line that splitting the asphalt
- Unevenness
The surface is not plain and has a slope
- Potholes
Most common holes that are deep more than 1 or 2 inches
- Age
After a certain age, the asphalt driveway is no longer in a usable state. If it crosses more than 12 years, then it’s time to resurface the driveway.
Things You Need:
Before you start the process of resurfacing, make a list of essential tools and materials. All the names are given below.
- Leaf blower
- Driveway coater brush
- Putty knife
- Garden hose
- Asphalt crack filler
- Mixing tool
- Bleach
- Degreaser
- Tamper
- 3″ wide paint brush
- Pothole patch
- Resurfacer
How To Resurface Asphalt Driveway?
As you know, asphalt is a sensitive mixed material that needs to be treated carefully. I hope you have previous experience of handling asphalt. If you don’t, then follow all the steps I’m going to discuss in detail.
Step 1: Cleaning
First, clean the crack as much as you can. For that, pull all the weeds out. If needed, use your hand and swipe to clean the driveway completely from dirt, debris, and weeds. Do you have a leaf blower? It will be good if you use a leaf blower to clean the driveway. It will take less time, but clean the surface perfectly.
Step 2: Use of mixed solution
Take bleach and water and mix them together in a bucket in 1:4 ratios. Take a long-handled scrub brush and scrub the driveway after pouring the solution over the driveway. Wait for 10 minutes. This time the bleach mixture will sit perfectly. After 10 minutes, wash the driveway one more time.
For a better result, you can use a hose and remove the solution completely including the debris. Now let the driveway dry for a while. If you’ve enough time to spend then let it dry for at least 24 hours.
Step 3: Repairing
You’ve done a great job of cleaning the driveway perfectly. But the main part is still yet to come. Yes, it’s time to repair the driveway. Look closely at the driveway, there are cracks and potholes. You need to fill them.
If the crack is narrow then use crack filler. See, it’s simple. One more thing, use a knife to smooth the area. But what about potholes? Don’t worry, use pothole patch material to fill them.
Just pour the material into the hole and let it spread. When it becomes flat, use that knife again to smooth it. Don’t forget to use a tamper. The tamper is good to pound the patch material.
Now take a degreaser and use it to wash if there are any oil spots. Last but not the least, using a primer also gives a better result if you think it is necessary. If not, then jump into the next step.
Step 4: Resurfacing
Finally, we are at the last moment to complete the resurfacing process. Ready to mix the resurfacer. Be careful when you’re doing it. It’ll be better if you use a drill or mixing tool. At least use a wooden stick if there is no tool available near you.
Next, take a paintbrush and ensure that the brush is a minimum of 3″ wide. Use it to apply the resurfacer. Now take the resurfacer and pour it on the driveway. Do it following a line like the width of the driveway.
Use a driveway coater brush. It’ll give a better result. Do it continuously and follow the back and forth pattern for that. It will keep everything in shape. When you reach the edge, then turn and stop. You are done with one direction.
Now restart it from another direction and follow the same process. Congratulations! Resurfacing your asphalt driveway is complete. Just let it dry thoroughly before using the driveway. Now, you must know “How To Resurface Asphalt Driveway.”
What Are The Benefits of Resurfacing Asphalt Driveway?
Resurfacing asphalt driveway offers different types of benefits to its user. A few of them are given below.
- Covers all the potholes and minimizes safety hazards.
- Increase esthetic value and appearance.
- Extend the life of the driveway.
- Make free from extensive cracking and over-sealing.
Conclusion:
Finally, you’ve got every detail about resurfacing the asphalt driveway. It’s all about cleaning the driveway and adding an extra layer of asphalt. In this review, we discussed how to resurface asphalt driveway step by step.
As a beginner, just collect all the necessary items and get a beautiful curb appeal once again from your driveway. The good side is, once you resurface the driveway, it can be used for the next 12 to 20 years. It’s amazing! Isn’t it?
So, do the resurfacing process at the right time using the right products in better ways.
