Asphalt repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What asphalt repair is

Asphalt repair patches potholes, fills cracks and fixes damaged edges by cutting out the bad material, compacting new mix and sealing joints so water stays out. Small repairs made early keep a drive from breaking up into a full replacement, which is why most people call once they see water getting under the surface.

Signs you need it

  • Potholes have opened up, and water collects in them after each rain
  • Cracks have spread into a network across the surface, a pattern called alligator cracking
  • The edge of the drive has broken away or crumbles where it meets the grass or the curb
  • Cracks have opened wider and are letting water and roots reach the base
  • A section of the surface sinks or dips under the wheels, which can mean the base has softened
  • Oil or fuel has soaked into the surface and turned it soft in one spot

What the pro does

  • Survey the surface and mark the failed areas, checking for soft base under the damage
  • Cut out the broken asphalt to square or rectangular edges, so the patch is held by sound material on all sides
  • Remove the loose base material, compact the bottom of the hole and add base stone if the base has failed
  • Apply a tack coat to the edges of the cut, so the new mix bonds to the old pavement
  • Fill the hole with hot or cold patch mix in lifts, tamping or rolling each layer to compact it fully
  • Seal the cracks and the patch edges with a crack sealant, then keep traffic off until the patch has set

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of potholes and the area of cracking, since a few spots cost less than broad failure
  • Depth of the patch and whether the base beneath it must be rebuilt, not just filled
  • Whether the damage is surface cracking or deeper failure that needs the asphalt cut and replaced
  • The type of patch, such as cold patch for small temporary jobs or hot mix for lasting repairs
  • Edge repair along curbs, grass or drains, which needs clean cuts and careful compaction
  • Access and how close the work is to the house, driveway apron or street traffic

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each repair area listed with its size and the method used, such as cut-out and hot patch
  • Base repair work, if any, with the stone type and depth used
  • Tack coat and crack sealant, named as products used on the job
  • Compaction method for the patch and the rolling or tamping plan
  • Cleanup and haul-off of debris, and the cure time before traffic can return
  • Warranty terms for the repairs, stated in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you cut out the damaged asphalt to sound material, or only fill the top of the hole?
  • Is the base under this damage still solid, or does it need to be rebuilt?
  • Will you use hot mix or cold patch, and how long will each one last here?
  • How do you seal the cracks and the patch edges to keep water out?
  • How long must I keep cars off the patch after the repair?
  • What do you do if the patch sinks or cracks again in a few months?

Red flags

  • Fills the potholes with loose material on top of the old surface without cutting it out
  • Says the patch will hold without tack coat or any compaction
  • Patches over a soft base without checking for the cause of the failure
  • Offers a seal coat as a fix for potholes that are deep and wet
  • Charges for a large job without saying how many patches or how big the area is

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can fill small potholes with a bagged cold patch material after cleaning out loose debris and compacting it in lifts. Call a pro for large potholes, alligator cracking, soft spots or edge failures, since those need the base and hot mix to last. Asphalt products and sealers contain petroleum solvents, so use gloves, eye protection and good ventilation, and keep children and pets away while the material is curing.

Licenses and permits

Whether asphalt patching needs a contractor license varies by place and job size, and larger repairs and any work that changes grade or drainage are commonly done under a contractor license. Check with your state or local licensing agency before hiring for a large job, and ask your local building department if a permit applies.

Asphalt repair questions

Why do my asphalt patches keep popping out?

The most common cause is patching without cutting out the failed edges or without compacting the base and the mix. A patch that is not bonded to sound material on all sides will pop out under traffic.

Should I fix cracks or wait for a full repair?

Seal the cracks now, because water getting into them is what breaks the base and grows the damage. A pro can then decide whether the surface needs patching, an overlay or replacement.

Will the patch look different from the rest of the drive?

A patch will look different, since new asphalt is darker and smoother than old surface. Over time it fades, and a seal coat helps the color blend more evenly across the drive.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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