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Driveway Repairs You Can Do
Do you cringe every time you see potholes in your driveway? Are your friends constantly warning you about the danger of slippery driveways? Are you worried about the damage and its impact on your car and home?
Do not panic! You can do something about it. DIY driveway repair is not as difficult as it sounds. In fact, with a little know-how and preparation, repairing a damaged driveway is relatively straightforward and won’t require much time or money. If you are also looking to understand more about driveway repair, continue reading this article to know everything there is to know about it.
Understand the Different Types of Driveway Repairs
The first step towards fixing driveways is to understand the different types of driveway repairs. Here are some of the common types of driveway repairs that you can use to fix your driveway:
- Patching: Patching is the easiest way to repair your driveway. The idea here is to fill up the damaged portion of your driveway with fresh concrete. This is suitable for small holes, cracks, and minor potholes. Potholes in your driveway can be a major nuisance. They can be dangerous for your car and your driveway, too.
- Choosing new gravel for your driveway repair: If your driveway is made of gravel, you can use that gravel to fill up the pothole or damaged area. However, you can also choose to replace the gravel for the whole driveway.
- Resurfacing is also an easy way to repair driveways: This is similar to patching your driveway, but resurfacing uses a thicker layer of cement. If you’re looking to give your driveway a facelift, resurfacing might be your best option. It’s a quick and cost-effective way to fix uneven or cracked concrete driveways.
- Raising the height of your driveway using asphalt: If you have a sunken driveway due to poor drainage, you can use asphalt to raise the surface. This way, water will drain away from your driveway, preventing puddles from forming. You can also use asphalt to fix uneven sections of your driveway. However, if your driveway is severely damaged, it may not be worth fixing.
These are just some of the common types of driveway repairs. These driveway repairs are affordable and easy to do. You can do these repairs on your own or hire a professional.
Patching
Patching your driveway is the easiest way to repair it. All you have to do is fill the cracks in your driveway with cement. It’s as simple as that. This is suitable for small holes, cracks, and minor potholes. Patching your driveway is a quick and cost-effective way to fix it. If you choose to do the job yourself, you can buy the cement and other materials needed for the repair from a nearby hardware store.
Using Gravel For Your Driveway Repair
If your driveway is made of gravel, you can use that gravel to fill up the pothole or damaged area. Replacing gravel in your driveway is best for uneven driveways. Replacing gravel in your driveway will ensure that your driveway is level. It will also prevent water from puddling in your driveway.
Resurfacing Your Driveway
This is similar to patching your driveway, but resurfacing uses a thicker layer of cement. Resurfacing is best for driveways that have seen better days. If your concrete driveway is uneven, cracked, or full of potholes, resurfacing might be your best option.
Most driveway resurfacing contractors will grind the top layer of concrete off, then mix a new batch of cement with a higher cement content to create a new, thicker top layer.
It’s best to get a professional contractor to do this type of job for you, but you can also do it yourself with the right materials. Supplies needed for driveway resurfacing include a mechanical road razer, cement, sand, and water.
The process is similar to that of patching a driveway, but the new top layer will be thicker. Resurfacing is an affordable option for those who aren’t in a hurry and are prepared to wait a few weeks for the job to be completed.
Using Asphalt to Raise Your Driveway
If you have a sunken driveway due to poor drainage, you can use asphalt to raise the surface. This way, water will drain away from your driveway, preventing puddles from forming.
Asphalt is a durable and flexible material that can be molded into any shape. It is also easy to work with, so you don’t need any special skills or equipment to raise your driveway. As long as you have a decent amount of space, you can do the job yourself.
Before you start, make sure that your driveway is level. The easiest way to do this is to pour a bit of water on the surface and let it seep in. Wherever the water pools is the lowest point, so you can easily find the level of your driveway.
Asphalt is easy to buy, and you can get it delivered to your home. The best type of asphalt to use for this project is called “hot mix”. It’s a bit more expensive than standard asphalt, but it’s easier to work with and it’s also easier on the environment.
To raise your driveway, you’ll need to lay down a thick layer of hot mix asphalt. Make sure that you leave enough room between the edge of your driveway and the wall of your garage or shed. You’ll also want to leave enough room between the hot mix and the walls of your house.
Conclusion
Now that you know the different types of driveway repairs, it’s time to start thinking about the repair you’d like to do. Remember, you can always hire a professional to do the work for you. Some of these repairs can take just a few hours. Others may be more involved, so it depends on the type of repair you choose. These driveway repairs are affordable and easy to do.