blacktop cracks and sealing

[rh71]

I've re-sealed my whole driveway before but that was before the cracks started a couple years later. I did try to fill a crack in the blacktop at the side of the house with those tubed asphalt patch but it didn't last. Even the Pli Stix failed to hold after a few months. Is it because I need to put a layer of the regular seal on top of it?

I saw a neighbor hire someone and they seemed to throw some fine sand/powder in the cracks and just throw the seal on top, but the cracks were very minor. How do I go about attacking all the cracks because when I call the pros it seems like all they do is throw sealer on top of it - does it really fill it all in?

My main concern is to stop the cracks from getting worse for winter. Not as important but I would also like it to all look uniform and new again - I've seen patchwork look darker than the rest. Is it possible even with a pro? Maybe the Home Depot stuff isn't good quality? The last thing I want is to spend upwards of $1k on a pro and have it look like I could've done just as well.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I just use that sakrete stuff that comes in a gallon jug. Seems to work for a season.

 

[readymix]

If your on Long Island go with velvet-top. It has been the #1 choice of pro's for decades. $25 for the 5 gallon bucket at independent hardware stores.

I did mine a earlier this summer and wondered if I should just get the stuff home depot has. I thought better of it since they're all listed as latex sealers, latex is paint, right? Stayed with VT. Not sure if VT is all that different though, they give you less info on the cotents of the mixture and it is water soluble. I do still get a wiff of tar coming off the driveway 5-6 weeks after applying, fwiw. still dubious if it's even worth it.

 

[boomerang]

The pros filled mine with hot tar they ladled into the cracks. They then sealed over it. There is no permanent fix.

 

[mizzou]

The asphalt driveway I previously owned once had a very smooth and thick top layer. Once it started to buckle and crack, it was like a tsunami you couldn't do anything to prevent. Part of the driveway was replaced with a very coarse aggregate asphalt and it was exponentially stronger and resistant to cracking.

Once you get there, I don't know what to tell you. Your driveway is terribly infiltrated with moisture and dirt, making it very hard to get a good fix on those cracks.

I will say, I had better luck with the liquid crack fillers then anything else. I Had one that was a sand/tar base you could trowel into the cracks, but it was impossible to use on a large scale.

Also, buy the highest quality resealent you can afford.

 

[edro]

There is a type of tar rope that you can push into the cracks, then run a plumbing torch over it.
It melts it into place, then you can seal over the entire driveway with normal sealer.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Latex-it...iveway-Crack-and-Joint-Filler-35099/100084640

 

[rh71]

^ that's what I used on a 1/2" crack and it lasted just a few months, but I didn't seal over it.

So from what I gather, not even pros can get this looking all uniform again unless it's re-done completely.

 

[TheGardener]

At some point you may have to consider putting 4 inches of new hardtop on the old.
If you do, put a sealer on it 6-9 months later.

 

[mizzou]

^ that's what I used on a 1/2" crack and it lasted just a few months, but I didn't seal over it.

So from what I gather, not even pros can get this looking all uniform again unless it's re-done completely.

Actually it still looks in pretty good shape!

When you do decide to seal over that or fill in the cracks, you should clean the heck out of them first. It seems you have some weeds growing out of them.


My tips for you would be:
#1 Clean out all cracks and remove growing weeds
#2 Completely degrease your driveway (very very important)
#3 Fill cracks
#4 Seal and allow to dry COMPLETELY
#5 Seal 2nd coat and allow to dry COMPLETELY
#6 Seal 3rd coat and allow to dry COMPLETELY (OK 3rd coat is probably not needed)



I always liked using the Squeegee method over the mop method when applying sealant

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I think driveway sealer is useless once a driveway gets too far gone. The level of effort is high and the results are not great. If there are a lot of cracks, especially with weeds growing out of them, just get the whole thing repaved.

 

[skyking]

Once you get tired of mucking with it, do concrete. It will last your lifetime.