How to Resurface an Asphalt Driveway

House with an asphalt driveway
  • 8-10 hours
  • Beginner
  • 400-600
What You'll Need
Resurfacer
Wire brush
Broom
Bleach
Long-handled brush
Liquid filler
Putty knife
Paste filler
Trowel
Drill
What You'll Need
Resurfacer
Wire brush
Broom
Bleach
Long-handled brush
Liquid filler
Putty knife
Paste filler
Trowel
Drill

You should resurface an asphalt driveway every couple of years, as it gets damaged with time and use. The actual resurfacing procedure is not a difficult one, and you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself rather than seeking out the services of a building professional. Here are the basic steps to do a facelift on your driveway.

Step 1 - Clean the Driveway

Prepare the driveway by cleaning it thoroughly before you can apply the resurfacer. First, pull all the weeds out of the cracks in the asphalt. Then, take a wire brush and sweep the cracks clean of any accumulated debris. Use a broom or a leaf blower to clean the asphalt surface of any dirt.

Make a mixture of household bleach and water (in a ratio of 1:4) and, using a long-handled brush, apply it on the asphalt driveway to remove any remaining algae and other vegetation. Do not push yourself too hard — light scrubbing will be enough. Allow the bleach mixture to stay for about 20 minutes on the asphalt and then rinse the whole area with clean water.

Step 2 - Fill the Cracks

crack filler

Repair any damaged areas, such as cracks and sunken places. For the narrow cracks (up to half an inch), use a liquid filler. Simply cut the nozzle of the filler bottle and pour the substance into the crack, allowing it to overfill a little. After you have filled up the crack, use a putty knife to spread the filler bead evenly above the crack and the adjacent area.

For larger cracks, erosion, and sunken areas, you can use paste filler. Apply the material using a wider putty knife and then polish over the edges with a trowel.

Step 3 - Prepare the Resurfacer

Purchase resurfacer online or from your local hardware store. It is best to buy material with bonding polymers in it, which will ensure flexibility, durability, and weather resistance. Sand additives can provide for better traction of the material.

Regardless of the brand that you buy, make sure you mix it well before application. For this, you can use a drill or a mixer, or you can do it by hand.

If there is an oil stain on your driveway, it may pose an obstacle to the proper adhesion of the resurfacer, so you will have to remove it. Pour some degreaser on the stain, scrub it well, and cover it with a bonding substance and a bit of the resurfacer.

Step 4 - Apply the Resurfacer

Applying sealer to a driveway

Take a paintbrush and apply some resurfacer along all edges of the driveway. Make sure you do not go over into the adjacent areas. Once you are done with this, call a friend or relative to help you with the remainder of the application.

Have your friend pour some material on the driveway in front of you. Grab a wide wet squeegee and spread the resurfacer evenly with back-and-forth movements. When the resurfacer is uniformly spread, repeat the procedure with your friend. Using this simple technique, cover the entire driveway with resurfacer and allow it time to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.