Basic Asphalt Repair Tips for Homeowners

The words "asphalt repair" sound daunting enough at first, but you don't always have to call a professional contractor and prepare your wallet for the worst. There are several do-it-yourself tips that one can follow for basic asphalt repair tasks, and we shall discuss a select few of them in this article.

Before undertaking any repair task, you must first get to the bottom of things. You should find out the reason why the asphalt needs to be repaired in the first place and ascertain the extent of the damage. Has water damage taken its toll on your asphalt? Conversely, the sun's rays could also do a great deal of damage. Some of the worst types of asphalt damage could result in potholes, which would require you to remove the saturated base material and re-pave the damaged area. Since heavy machinery is often needed for such a job, extreme cases may force you to hire an asphalt repair professional.

You should also consider having your asphalt seal coated on a periodic basis, perhaps every year if you do it yourself and every 3-4 years if done with a professional. This could potentially double the lifespan of your asphalt. Furthermore, seal coating could help minimize the need for asphalt repair. Asphalt sealer is relatively inexpensive - in most cases, you don't need to spend more than a dime per square foot to have it applied. Think of how affordable that could be compared to the costs of having asphalt repaired.

Aside from purchasing an asphalt sealer, you should also be ready with your own sealer broom and paintbrush. These pieces of equipment are absolutely necessary for the job at hand, as the act of applying the sealer sounds much easier than it actually is. That's not saying it's a difficult job, though - you just have to use measured brush strokes when applying it. Arbitrarily applying the sealer will not produce desirable results. It is also important you apply the seal coat as quickly as working too slowly might cause it to dry up. Moreover, you should look for sealers with the rubber compound, which are more flexible and water-resistant, or insist that your asphalt repair contractor use such a sealer.

The moment you notice some cracks on the pavement, you shouldn't waste much time either. You don't want the ravages of time to join hands with the water and/or sun, thus resulting in even more damage. Any cracks spotted should be sealed as soon as possible.

That said, asphalt repair is not a home improvement task for everybody. If in doubt, you should always seek a contractor's assistance and not take matters into your own hands. But you should definitely take some time out to make sure your driveway is properly maintained. Remember that a pleasant-looking driveway can only add to the curb appeal of your home.