The Affordable Way To Fix Your Driveway Without Paying A Fortune

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Driveway repairs can be a major headache for homeowners. It is one of the first things you see when approaching a home, and large cracks within the asphalt or concrete can be distinctly problematic. For one thing, if you're looking to sell your home, a poorly maintained driveway can suggest that other problems in the property may also exist. This is perhaps why curb appeal upgrades can make a big difference in boosting resale value, unlike other cosmetic changes that prospective sellers should skip. In a 2023 report from the National Association of Realtors, yard upgrade projects were anticipated to recover 100% of the costs outlaid by homeowners, while 97% of NAR members reported that curb appeal was crucial for attracting buyers.

Significant cracking in a driveway can also lead to tripping hazards or even larger breakaway pieces if you delay the fix and therefore need a costly full resurfacing. Per Angi, professional concrete resurfacing averages $3,000, while Bob Vila quoted a national average of $4,740 for in 2024 for a full asphalt driveway installation. With this in mind, there are far more affordable DIY options out there if you're dealing with hairline cracks. Most notably, simply filling any gaps or cracks with asphalt or concrete patch and filler products. These are typically available at a hardware store and can be significantly cheaper than a professional repair. Best of all, the process is simple — you'll squeeze, pour, or press your chosen filler product into the gaps and wait for it to set.

Neglecting small driveway repairs is a big mistake. Leaving a driveway to deteriorate raises repair costs, and can lead to larger structural issues that can even impact your home's foundation. NerdWallet reports an average cost of about $5,000 for foundation repairs, on top of the thousands you'll need to spend on the driveway repair. Luckily, while routine maintenance like de-icing a driveway is crucial to avoiding repeat repairs, fixing hairline cracks is pretty simple.

For those with asphalt driveways, Liquid Rubber's 11-Pound Ready-To-Use Asphalt Repair Filler is $40 at Amazon, while a 50-Pound Water Activated Asphalt Cold Patch from Aquaphalt is available at Lowe's for $65. Meanwhile, concrete repair material is also widely available. Home Depot carries several options including the Sakrete 1-Quart Concrete Crack Filler for $14 per bottle. Regardless of brand, the process is largely the same. 

With an angle grinder or cut-off tool sporting a diamond-bladed cutting disc, start by carefully cutting along the length of the crack. Then clean it up with a wire brush. Also, if you have weeds growing, tear them out. This clears away loose debris and allows your material to fully set. Before applying your filler, add sand or a backer rod to fill the bottom of the gap. Then apply your chosen filler to the recess and trowel it firm and flat into the crack. Some products require water to activate while others just need time to cure and harden.