Winter and frost can do a number on your driveway. If your final few feet of driving gives you a sinking feeling, here’s help.
Obviously, if your driveway’s gravel, you just need to fill the holes. Other materials require a little more work.
Asphalt
Clean out the hole, and if it’s really deep, fill the bottom with gravel, leaving about 3″ or 4″ for the patch. Use a trowel to apply an inch of cold patch – a compound which allows you to repair asphalt without heating. Work it into cracks and crevices, and tamp it well with a 4×4 post. Then apply another 1″ layer, tamp again, and continue until you reach the level of the driveway. Leave a slight mound above the driveway surface, spread a little sand on top, and drive your car slowly over it a few times.
Concrete
Remove any loose or crumbling sections, and brush the area firmly with a steel brush. If the surrounding area appears loose, tap it lightly with a mini-sledge to test its soundness. If you’re patching a hole, enlarge it so that it’s at least an inch deep. By etching the old concrete with diluted muriatic acid, you’ll ensure a better bond.
Wet the area with water, but don’t leave standing water. A liquid bonding agent also helps ensure the new concrete’s going to stick.
Mix up your concrete and pour it into the hole. Tamp it firmly with a trowel, pressing it hard against the existing concrete to ensure a good bond and no air bubbles. The concrete will shrink, so mound it slightly, and finish it off smoothly.
Cover the repairs with plastic sheeting, and spray it daily for about a week.
Concrete pavers
Remove pavers from the sinking area. Fill the area beneath with stonedust to slightly above the appropriate level, and tamp with a length of 2×4 or 4×4.