How do I keep plants/weeds from growing through my asphalt drive?

Can12935341
by Can12935341

I live on one acre with a circular asphalt drive that has been resurfaced twice and coated twice and I still have plants, weeds and grass growing through cracking it causing bumps and lumps and places for ants to grow and make their home. how do I seal the asphalt or repair or so that it is once again without cracks weeds or ants. I have spent thousands of dollars with 2 different companies, ending in the same result over the past 3 years. I can't afford to do that again, as I am a retired combat medic instructor in the army. I've just learned to do the job myself, because of the lack of ethics and work integrity these days!

Thanks for any suggestions!!

Candace

  7 answers
  • Diane Coverdale Diane Coverdale on Sep 25, 2018

    Hi Candace. Firstly (this may sound crazy!) where do you live? If you get four seasons and your winters are harsh, the frost may be causing the cracks in the driveway via heaving. If this is the case (?) maybe there wasn't enough crushed stone for the bed of the driveway to deter vegetation? The second statement is a possible suggestion.

    There are patching 'kits' available at hardware store that can help depending on the size (and length of the cracks). Talk with the store reps for research. Possibly spraying the area after removing the asphalt prior to filling the crack may help also.

  • Gk Gk on Sep 25, 2018

    You will have to spray the weeds to get rid of them and fill in the cracks with asphalt repair that comes in a tube like caulk. I have the same problem with my asphalt driveway and I make repairs on a yearly basis. Asphalt is not a solid surface and water moves through it and under it so it is not necessarily the fault of the contractor. If you live in an area that freezes solid in the winter when the ground thaws in the spring you also get movement. You will still need to have it sealed every 3 or 4 years and eventually it will need to be redone because the asphalt doesn't last forever.

  • Larry R Laatsch Larry R Laatsch on Sep 25, 2018

    generous amounts of weed poison through the cracks....often.

  • Dor34147429 Dor34147429 on Sep 25, 2018

    Sometimes I just pour salt into the crack. My not be good for the asfault but I get so frustrated with wedding and ants that I just go into the house and grab the salt from the cub bard. Don’t let my husband know. He is retired and used to lay asfault for a living.

  • Cat Cat on Sep 26, 2018

    Please don't use Roundup. You can use vinegar or boiling water, then use caulk to seal it.

  • Can12935341 Can12935341 on Sep 26, 2018

    Thanks for the advice everybody.

    I have tried of those suggestions...

    Just thought someone might have an unorthodox solution.

    BTW I live in southern California...very little this year and a very hot season.

    My asphalt is so soft, that I can "dent" it, right now.

    Thanks again to all who replied ☺️

  • Cheryl Cheryl on Oct 08, 2018

    Hi- I have also done all these ideas, the weeds remain....But I see that Harbor Freight sells an "ice melting flame wand" that can burn the weeds out. Wonder how that works on asphalt? Has anyone tried this?