I mean it's probably *better* in the summer, but doing it now will keep it from getting worse. What really makes things like this worse quickly is not just the water getting in, but going through freeze/thaw cycles, since water expands when it freezes. It gets in the cracks, then freezes, pushing it apart a little more each time. I live in southern Canada where we get loads of freeze/thaw cycles, and it will absolutely kill an asphalt driveway the fastest.
It may have been cold, or it may have been an old bag that had lost much of it's solvent. When I did a similar repair, it was a lot softer and flowed a lot more easily. I read lots of people's reviews of the stuff, and there's a wide variety of experiences. Some need to break up lumps like you did, some find it takes weeks to set, some (like me) get lucky and it works nicely.
I appreciate Mark's cheeky influence in the script writing. "Good enough" is a pretty great way to look at things. Otherwise you procrastinate with waiting for the perfect solution or conditions. Meanwhile you could have incrementally improved your quality of life if you just stick with what can we do right now to make things better.
Preparation is the key also a blow torch lance Makes sure you blow out any old loose tarmac Warm the surface apply bitumen primer Warm the tar Then bitumen seal the edges
Store it inside to warm up, then Stand the bag up or on its side, slowly drop your knee into it a few times to break those corners up before its out the bag.. i bet you it flops out and spreads easier.. I ran a wacker plate over mine and watered it after... the wacker was cheap, scheppach from lidl for £199 on sale, paid for itself already..
Once did a similar repair prior to getting the driveway completely redone. Found it useful to put some plywood over the repair and then drive the car back and forth over it. Really helped compact it, and got the edges smooth. Another neat trick is brushing some existing dust from the driveway onto the new repair as it sets, as it tones down the more stark black look.
Great video and love the jokes. Keep them coming. Please watch some safety videos before running that chainsaw. Avoid the kickback zone on the tip, use both hands and remember that dirt is your enemy.
Nearly 14k subs already! I would be havin' words with that Mark bloke about what he was playing about at taking all that time for 10K subs back in the day!
Ive done a few patches like this, im certainly no pro, I have never sealed the edges like that, just used a weed burner to melt / heat the edges! But always ended up with a patch better and smoother than the rest of the road! Always try and leave slightly proud and let the car really flattened it down
If you're still not sure what to do with it in the spring/summertime, you might want to consider an asphalt-based sealer on the whole thing, it will keep the water damage from worsening, and it's the cheapest alternative to completely redoing it, and will make it last (at least) a few more years.
I nearly lost it when I saw Jen using the wood chisel to take up the old asphalt. I’m loving that you aren’t making it look like everything is unicorns and rainbows.
For your permanent driveway, look into RESIN BOUND GRAVEL. You may be familiar with it already, maybe not. You need to have the sub surface laid so it'll have a nice flat (or to falls) surface, meaning no imperfections, then it all gets covered in a clear resin. You then shovel loads of small gravel across it and brush it all across the resin so it all binds together. Then the loose pieces get swept off. Can look really nice.
@jenlewislife Yeah it's not cheap. And... Unless your sub base is done PROPERLY you may get movement and cracking in the finished surface which is far from ideal. Maybe a nice paver then, when you're ready...
Always love watching your videos but please don’t use a wood chisel on anything other then wood please remember look after your tools and your tools will make life easier for you 😊
How temperature stable is cold lay tarmac? Just curious if the change in temperature in the summer will cause it to buckle or crack. I assume it's not terribly rigid since it only had to be tamped down after pouring it out of the bag.
That tarmac seems to have lasted a good few years, maybe replace the whole driveway, like for like with tarmac as and when. Block paving or resin would look out of place, and gravel is a pain in my experience.
Certainly, it's better than it was. Maybe long-term, remove the tarmac and go with gravel? You could add to gravel, rake it out from time to time, etc. More expense, tho. Good luck! Really enjoying watching what you guys are doing. Also, I'm grateful that's it's you, and not me. 😃
I often find a large adult toy helps with the tedious nature of pounding a hole for a long time. 6 inches seemed to help my wife and I tackle a similar hole. Hiring a 6" x 6" tamper plate on a jack hammer made the job a breeze!
The standard of “good enough”. Just like the theory of being just slightly above average in sport. A fun and rewarding place to be without investing your whole life being the best at one tiny area whilst neglecting everything else! Just my .02 cents. 😊
Was winter the wrong time of year to tackle this job?
I mean it's probably *better* in the summer, but doing it now will keep it from getting worse. What really makes things like this worse quickly is not just the water getting in, but going through freeze/thaw cycles, since water expands when it freezes. It gets in the cracks, then freezes, pushing it apart a little more each time. I live in southern Canada where we get loads of freeze/thaw cycles, and it will absolutely kill an asphalt driveway the fastest.
😂
It may have been cold, or it may have been an old bag that had lost much of it's solvent. When I did a similar repair, it was a lot softer and flowed a lot more easily.
I read lots of people's reviews of the stuff, and there's a wide variety of experiences. Some need to break up lumps like you did, some find it takes weeks to set, some (like me) get lucky and it works nicely.
Awarded the best opening line for a YT video in 2024 😀
Too much influence from Mark!
Dunno, was a bit cringe.
Wait for the video where Jen discovers theres hole in her bucket 🪣 🤭
Marks hyrox farmer carry finally came in handy
Mark definitely had a hand in the script for the intro.
That poor wood chisel…we salute you
OMG I was thinking the same! Haha. RIP.
I kinda hate myself right now but Mark you gave that hole a good pounding. Sorry I'll see myself out.
Perfection is the evil of good. Really enjoing watching your channel.
“Absolutely good enough” that is mine and my husbands motto whenever we do anything around the house and everything looks great!
Love that! 😊
Came here for the rude innuendos. Not disappointed😂
From "Above average" to "Good enough"
I appreciate Mark's cheeky influence in the script writing.
"Good enough" is a pretty great way to look at things. Otherwise you procrastinate with waiting for the perfect solution or conditions. Meanwhile you could have incrementally improved your quality of life if you just stick with what can we do right now to make things better.
Exactly! 😊
Great comment , I need to apply this to my life
@@rickylafleur7378 It took me far too long to work this out for myself. It's a great way of not getting stuck on things.
This is like watching video of myself tackling a new task. "I've watched so many videos on this. Why is not going like any of the videos I watched?"
Loving the content Jen, we need more and longer 🙏🏻 (probably similar what you say to Mark 🙈🤣)
Sealing the edges afterwards is something many road gangs should take note of. Best way to prevent frost damage in the future.
Preparation is the key also a blow torch lance
Makes sure you blow out any old loose tarmac
Warm the surface apply bitumen primer
Warm the tar
Then bitumen seal the edges
I see what youre trying to do Mark. I approve
Done a better jobs than most councils
Store it inside to warm up, then Stand the bag up or on its side, slowly drop your knee into it a few times to break those corners up before its out the bag.. i bet you it flops out and spreads easier..
I ran a wacker plate over mine and watered it after... the wacker was cheap, scheppach from lidl for £199 on sale, paid for itself already..
Good enough for now. Love it. A mantra I frequently apply to DIY jobs. Will it last a few years until I redo that thing fully? Yes. Good enough.
Once did a similar repair prior to getting the driveway completely redone. Found it useful to put some plywood over the repair and then drive the car back and forth over it. Really helped compact it, and got the edges smooth. Another neat trick is brushing some existing dust from the driveway onto the new repair as it sets, as it tones down the more stark black look.
Great video and love the jokes. Keep them coming. Please watch some safety videos before running that chainsaw. Avoid the kickback zone on the tip, use both hands and remember that dirt is your enemy.
Nearly 14k subs already! I would be havin' words with that Mark bloke about what he was playing about at taking all that time for 10K subs back in the day!
Fess up Jen, Mark wrote that opening line didn't he? Those of us OG subscribers always know.....
So obvious
Great job Jen. Now if you could pop round the rest of the uk that would be grand😁
Gizza job.
😃
Ive done a few patches like this, im certainly no pro, I have never sealed the edges like that, just used a weed burner to melt / heat the edges! But always ended up with a patch better and smoother than the rest of the road! Always try and leave slightly proud and let the car really flattened it down
If you're still not sure what to do with it in the spring/summertime, you might want to consider an asphalt-based sealer on the whole thing, it will keep the water damage from worsening, and it's the cheapest alternative to completely redoing it, and will make it last (at least) a few more years.
Thanks for the idea. 😊
Looks like a better job than most councils seem to do ! You could sub contract yourselves to them 😂
Just found your channel Jen.... !! 😍😍🍑🍑❤❤ Lovin' the videos... !! 👍👍😁😁 Keep them coming... !! 💪💪🙏🙏❤❤ Merry Christmas to you & yours... !! ❄❄🎄🎄🎅🎅🙏🙏
Short and sweet
Just found your channel.... !! 😍😍🍑🍑❤❤ Lovin' the videos... !! 👍👍😁😁 Keep them coming... !! 💪💪🙏🙏❤❤ Merry Christmas to you & yours... !! ❄❄🎄🎄🎅🎅🙏🙏
Wait…. That intro 😂😂😂
I nearly lost it when I saw Jen using the wood chisel to take up the old asphalt. I’m loving that you aren’t making it look like everything is unicorns and rainbows.
1:45, that "tool" is called Mark.
"cold tarmac", works best warm 😂🙈😂👍.
You guys rock it👍. Keep up the good spirit and you will get there.
For your permanent driveway, look into RESIN BOUND GRAVEL. You may be familiar with it already, maybe not. You need to have the sub surface laid so it'll have a nice flat (or to falls) surface, meaning no imperfections, then it all gets covered in a clear resin. You then shovel loads of small gravel across it and brush it all across the resin so it all binds together. Then the loose pieces get swept off. Can look really nice.
It was at the top of my list for the drive, but the expense of it has knocked it down quite a few pegs. 😅
@jenlewislife Yeah it's not cheap. And... Unless your sub base is done PROPERLY you may get movement and cracking in the finished surface which is far from ideal. Maybe a nice paver then, when you're ready...
Good job! I mean good enough! 😂
😃
You definitely both have a new career opportunity with local council.
Maybe a hot air gun could help with spreading and getting it to bond?
Always love watching your videos but please don’t use a wood chisel on anything other then wood please remember look after your tools and your tools will make life easier for you 😊
That chisel had been very naughty so no longer gets the privilege of wood only duties 😂
Innuendo Bingo 😆
Rake it out first. Then tamp.😊
How temperature stable is cold lay tarmac? Just curious if the change in temperature in the summer will cause it to buckle or crack. I assume it's not terribly rigid since it only had to be tamped down after pouring it out of the bag.
Will be interesting to find out come summer! 🫣
Say tht 😅
Need to do some of that. Got any links for the sealant and black stuff?
No links, I think we just got it off amazon or from B&Q.
That tarmac seems to have lasted a good few years, maybe replace the whole driveway, like for like with tarmac as and when. Block paving or resin would look out of place, and gravel is a pain in my experience.
Seems like an Above Average repair as Mark would say. 😂
😂 Thank you!
Tough watch
Good job but need using a wood chisel on tarmac made me winch, not good for ocd tool man 🤣
You should have warmed it up first, by a radiated or Agra.
Agreed! It was seriously hard going! 🙈
Certainly, it's better than it was. Maybe long-term, remove the tarmac and go with gravel? You could add to gravel, rake it out from time to time, etc. More expense, tho. Good luck! Really enjoying watching what you guys are doing. Also, I'm grateful that's it's you, and not me. 😃
We did think about gravel but thought leaves and gravel weren't a good mix?
@ Ah, good point. Not to mention the weeds that may grow up through the gravel.
I have a gravel drive and it's a pain in the arse to be honest. Constantly sweeping and raking it.
I often find a large adult toy helps with the tedious nature of pounding a hole for a long time. 6 inches seemed to help my wife and I tackle a similar hole.
Hiring a 6" x 6" tamper plate on a jack hammer made the job a breeze!
Shouldn’t Mark carry that bag across the back of his neck. All those HYROX competitions counted for nothing. 😂
Actually starting to like the channel 😂
I seen a lady filling her hole 💪
I’m not sure that’s the right sort of chisel for the job 😢
Didn't know there was a right one. 😶😅
The standard of “good enough”. Just like the theory of being just slightly above average in sport. A fun and rewarding place to be without investing your whole life being the best at one tiny area whilst neglecting everything else! Just my .02 cents. 😊
Never seen a hole that needed filling more
Really not a pothole, but yep make it square first