Repair Cracks In An Asphalt Patio And Prevent Future Damage
Cracks in an asphalt patio can diminish the beauty of your property. The damaged portions of asphalt may become larger in the future, especially after they are exposed to moisture. The following steps will teach you how to repair the cracks with asphalt filler. After you have fixed the patio, add a coat of sealer to its surface to prevent damage from occurring again.
Materials
- broom
- wire brush
- water hose
- industrial strength detergent
- long handled scrub brush
- tube of asphalt filler
- caulk gun
- metal putty knife
- asphalt sealer
- paint tray
- sponge mop
- rope
- scissors
- garden stakes
Clean The Patio
Use a broom to remove leaves, sticks, and other debris from the asphalt. Move a wire brush back and forth over the damaged areas to loosen small pieces of asphalt that are wedged in the cracks. If any stains are on the asphalt, remove them with soapy water and a scrub brush that has a long handle. Adjust the nozzle on the hose so that the stream of water that comes out of it is strong. Rinse the patio off to eliminate any soapy residue that remains. Wait for the patio to dry.
Fill The Cracks
Pull the plunger on the back of the caulk gun to open the cartridge chamber. Insert a tube of asphalt filler in the chamber and push in the plunger. Place the tip of the caulk gun in each crack and squeeze the trigger as you move the caulk gun along the damaged areas. After the cracks are filled, smooth out the surface of the filler with a metal putty knife. The filler will take a few hours to dry. Once this occurs, the filler will be as hard as the rest of the patio.
Apply A Coat Of Asphalt Sealer
Pour some asphalt sealer into a paint tray. Evenly coat a sponge mop with the sealer and move it across the patio's surface in straight lines, beginning in one of the corners. Add more sealer to the mop as needed. Once the patio is covered, place a few garden stakes near the edges of the patio and attach pieces of rope between them so that nobody walks on the patio.
The sealer needs plenty of time to dry. If it is humid or warm outside, the sealer may take longer to dry. Waiting to walk on the patio for one full day will prevent marks from appearing on the patio's surface when weight is applied to it. The sealer will prevent moisture from damaging the asphalt. It will not fade or crack when it is exposed to sunlight. The patio will be an attractive area to spend time on after you have completed all of the repair steps.
For more information, contact Central Paving & Sealcoating Inc. or a similar company.