How to Repair a Bitumen Driveway With Gravel

A bitumen driveway needs maintenance before potholes and nicks do damage to your tires. A combination of gravel and cold-patch bitumen, or asphalt, makes a structurally sound repair you can perform with no special tools or training. Work on a clear, dry day when no rain is forecast. Gravel makes a strong base for the bitumen patch. Gravel and cold-patch work best for large potholes. You can typically repair small cracks with tubes of sealant instead.

Chisel or hammer
Air compressor (optional)
Gravel
Hand tamp
Cold-patch bitumen
Safety goggles
Work gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the cracked bitumen from the area, going as far down as you need to. If you patch over the crumbled part, the area will remain weak.
- 2
  Chisel the sides of the hole using a chisel or hammer. Most cold-patch repair kits recommend that the hole have straight, flat sides. Clean out the debris by hand when you are done, or using an air compressor.
- 3
  Fill the hole with gravel up to a depth of two inches from the top, or the surface of the road.
- 4
  Compact the gravel using a hand tamp. Lift the tamper up and bring it down on the gravel to compact it.
- 5
  Fill the hole with high-quality cold-patch asphalt or bitumen. Make a mound of cold-patch extending about 1/4-inch above the level driveway surface.
- 6
  Tamp the cold-patch material using your tamp.
- 7
  Let the material cure. Your cold-patch product will inform you how long you have to wait to drive on the material. It typically cures fully within 30 days, although you can drive on it before them.

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