Asphalt driveways are a popular choice for driveway installation because they are inexpensive and easy to install, and they don’t require much upkeep.
Although these qualities can be their biggest weakness, if maintained properly they can also be their greatest strength.
Homeowners often deal with cracks and gaps between the Asphalt driveway and the foundation. There are many reasons for this problem such as there is possibility that the reason for the crack was poor drainage under the asphalt. Drainage problems can cause water to sit in puddles or pools, which can cause the surface to become soft, and eventually break apart.
Asphalt driveways require constant repairs due to the expansion and contraction of the asphalt and the asphalt-aggregate mixture. This is especially true when temperatures vary.
Asphalt driveways are also vulnerable to frost heaves, which can cause cracks in the driveway.
If your asphalt driveway and foundation have gaps, cracks, or holes, they may need to be repaired, repaved, or replaced.
Here in this article, I’ve shared some quick repair guides to fix this problem without the need for expert help, and you can perform all the repair work yourself, easily.
So without further ado…
Let’s break it down.
Table of Contents
How To Fix Gap Between Asphalt Driveway And Foundation: [Some Simple Steps]
A gap between the driveway and the foundation is not something that you can ignore. This is a big problem that you will have to fix at some point in time.
The issue of a gap between the driveway and the foundation is very common in house that has been constructed over a long period of time.
So the question is…
What Are The Reason Behind The Gap Between Foundation And Asphalt Driveways?
Some most common reasons behind this problem are:
- Weather.
- Improper installation of the asphalt driveway.
- Temperature dissimilarities.
- Vehicle damage
You could encounter gaps and cracks anywhere on the surface of an asphalt driveway. These gaps and cracks occur most often between the section of the joint and the seams. You could also encounter it between…
- Asphalt edges and house foundation.
- Asphalt edges and garage floor.
- Asphalt edges and concrete.
Steps To Fix The Crack Between The Asphalt Driveway And House Foundation:
You can follow these simple steps to fix this problem :
Required Tools
- Torch or heat lance to heat up the gaps and cracks.
- Rotatory Broom and blower for cleaning the surface.
- Crackfill melter & pour pot
- Cold asphalt patch
- Tamper tool
- Hand shovel
- Garden roller
1. Ensure The Weather & Temperature Is Fair
Make sure there is no rain till 48 hours after filling the gap. The required temperature for this process is 40°F. You can use some equipment such as a torch or a heat lance to maintain this temperature if the temperature is lower than the 40°F.
2. Clean The Area
Now it’s time to clean the site where you are going to seal the gap. Remove excess vegetation, dust, and debris from the repair site. If there is standing water, sock it by using clothes or cotton. You can also use some sturdy tools such as bristle brooms or a blower to clean the surface.
The surface must be dry before fixing the gap to ensure the crack fill material will seal the gap properly.
3. Fill The Shallow Gap
If the gap is shallower than 1 inch, you can use a crack fill melter. Crack fill melter is equipment that can be taken on rent. Its heat melts the rubberized hot-pour crack filler and allows you to pour the liquified material over the crack surface.
4. Fill The Large Gap
If the size of the gap is larger and deeper than 1/2 inch (approx 1 to 4 inches deep), you can either apply gravel or cold Asphalt patch to cure and seal the gap.
An asphalt patch is much easier to apply for a gap of size 2 inches. Just pour the cold patch so that it comes slightly above the surface of the pavement.
Required Tools For This Process:
- Hand Shovel
- Knife
Now temp down the surface using a temper tool until compact. If the size of the gap is deeper than 2 inches then you can first apply crushed gravel for the base formation and then use the cold asphalt patch above it to fix the seal as stated earlier.
5. Leave The Surface For 48 Hours To Cure
Leave the repair site for 48 hours so that it can be set well, and be ready for use. It will take less time to set in the summer. For the rest of the small cracks and gaps, you can wait for 3 to 4 days to fix them after this process.
Also Read: Gap Between Slab And Foundation Wall[Solved]
Conclusion
No, matter what type of gaps, and cracks are, they always bother. But don’t worry, you won’t have trouble with them if you stay careful. A little bit of inspection and a quick fix save you from big trouble and cost.
I hope this article will help you to fix the gaps between the Asphalt driveway and foundation. Feel free to comment to me, if you have any questions or doubts regarding this fix.
Also Read: Sealing Gap Between Garage Floor And Wall [Solved]
FAQ
Q.1 Is A Gap Between An Asphalt Driveway And A Concrete Foundation A Problem?
Ans: Gaps between an asphalt driveway and a concrete foundation are a common issue. They can cause cracks to form in the driveway, and lead to a poor seal. But in most cases, they can be easily fixed with asphalt sealant. You can also have them filled with concrete or asphalt.
Q.2 How Much Does It Cost To Repair The Asphalt Driveway?
Ans: The repair cost of filling the small gaps between the driveway and the house foundation depends on many factors. The average cost of repairing the driveway is between $700 to $2500.
Some minor issues can be fixed yourself and will cost you a few hundred dollars while other major issues will cost you much higher.
Q.3 What Are Some Temporary Fixes To The Gap Between The Asphalt Driveway And The Foundation?
Ans: You can use a water-based liquid gap filler to seal the gaps, but it’s not a long-lasting fix and within a few months you will face problems like the sealant becoming loose and chipping off from the surface.
This type of temporary fix is also beneficial if you postpone the resurfacing or repave the driveway for some time.
