How to Fix Driveway Cracks
The process may be easier and more affordable than you think
Ever heard the age-old saying, “Step on a crack, you break your mother’s back?” Well, a busted driveway could spell ruin for your poor mom. Protect her—and the integrity and appearance of your driveway—and fix driveway cracks as they appear.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for filling small hairline cracks and teaches you when it’s time to call in the pros.
Why Should I Fix Driveway Cracks?
While small cracks in your driveway may seem like a small nuisance, they can actually lead to much costlier and potentially dangerous issues if left untreated.
Over time, minor cracks can hold water, which, during freeze cycles, could expand and cause further damage. Cracks can also weaken the overall structure of your driveway and create tripping hazards (and potential lawsuits).
All in all, you can save time, money, and risk by fixing a crack before it becomes a more serious issue or requires paying the entire cost to pave your driveway.
When to Fix Driveway Cracks
Ideally, you should fix a crack as soon as you notice it. But if you see a crack in the heat of summer or dead of winter, wait until the weather gets milder and rain is in sight to prevent other issues that may impact the final product.
Small hairline cracks (about ¼ inch wide or less) can be quickly filled in minutes, as long as you have the tools on hand.
Prepping to Fix Driveway Cracks
Before you hop in, make sure the crack is completely cleared of dust and debris. That includes small rocks, weeds, dirt, dust, previous filler—anything that could impact the filler’s ability to adhere to your driveway. Even a rogue leaf could spell disaster in this project.
You can clean the area using a small shovel or rake, pressure washer, or shop vac (preferably a combination of all three).
How to Fix Driveway Cracks
While driveway cracks are common, that doesn’t mean you should leave them. Smaller cracks can be easily filled with crack filler, but larger cracks require a bit more effort and expertise.
Small Driveway Cracks
Cracks under about ¼ inches in width can be filled with concrete or asphalt crack fillers (depending on your driveway). These look and act like traditional caulk, like what you use in your kitchen or bathroom, so this DIY shouldn’t be too out of your wheelhouse if you’ve tackled projects around the house before.
Cut the tip of the crack filler tube at an angle.
Fill the crack almost to the top, leaving room to protect the area from foot or vehicle traffic damage.
Smooth the caulk using your finger dipped in soapy water.
Add sand if you want the caulk to match your driveway’s texture.
Let cure based on package instructions.
Large Driveway Cracks
Cracks over about ¼ inches (and definitely over ½ inches) are considered large and may require professional support. A large crack can impact the integrity of your entire driveway foundation and be a sign of bigger issues, so it may be worthwhile to get an inspection before you start filling the crack to rule out any costlier problems.
To fill the crack yourself, buy the recommended filler for your driveway.
Asphalt driveways: Fill the crack with sand, dirt, or gravel, packing it in tightly.
Concrete driveways: Fill the crack with a concrete backer rod, pressing it into the grooves of the crack.
Once the crack is filled, top it with a layer of flexible crack filler (the same as for small cracks) for extra protection. For concrete, you can use a concrete patching compound instead, using a trowel to spread into place. A patching compound isn’t as flexible as the caulk filler, meaning it may crack again in the future—but depending on the size of your crack, it may be necessary to ensure a smooth finish.
How to Prevent Driveway Cracks
There are a few things you can do to prevent driveway cracks.
Regularly seal your concrete driveway every three to five years, and your asphalt driveway every two to three to protect it against harsh weather.
Make sure you have proper drainage around your driveway, like a French or channel drain, to prevent standing water.
Be thoughtful about your surrounding landscaping, as roots can quickly grow wild and cause cracks to appear. A landscaper could help with this if you’re unsure.
Fix small cracks as soon as you notice them to prevent bigger cracks down the road.
Hire a pro to install expansion joints in your concrete to accommodate movement as needed.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Most experts recommend hiring a driveway repair professional to at least inspect a crack over ¼ inches wide. While you could repair this yourself, a pro can let you know if the issue is structural or requires more intensive support than you can handle on your own. That being said, small cracks can easily be repaired with a few tools and supplies you can find at your local hardware store.
So, as long as you stay on top of your cracks (without stepping on them to prevent your mother’s back from breaking) you should be able to maintain your driveway on your own for years to come. Considering the average asphalt driveway costs $5,250, it’s easy to see the ROI of spending about $20 at the hardware store to repair a small crack to prevent further issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Small cracks should be filled with a flexible crack filler, like a rubberized asphalt-emulsion crack filler or a flexible masonry crack filler. Larger cracks need something a bit more solid to prevent further movement and to avoid having to use too much of the flexible filler. For concrete, you can use a concrete backer rod while asphalt can handle sand, gravel, or even dirt.
If your driveway has only small cracks, sealing them can prevent the damage from spreading. However, sealing the cracks will not necessarily improve the overall appearance of your driveway. For the best final result, fill the cracks first with filler, then seal the driveway and let it cure completely.
In general, crack fillers last for about two years on average. That timeline can be shorter if you have extremely harsh winters or longer if you live in a mild climate. Luckily, this product is pretty affordable at the hardware store (about $10 to $30) and easy to DIY, so redoing it every few years shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.
You can pour concrete over asphalt if it’s in good condition, thick, stable, and well-compacted. Concrete is more durable than asphalt and can extend the lifetime of your driveway without having to pay frequent asphalt driveway repair costs or replace it completely.
But this is best reserved as a temporary solution based on budget restraints, as asphalt requires more frequent repairs and assessments than concrete. Once that concrete top is poured, it’ll be harder to accurately understand what’s happening beneath that layer, which could lead to more issues.
