Morris' son Morris III helps to run our remodeling company, along with Morris' wife, Carol. Recently they asked about the most cost-effective surface for a driveway for a bid they were making. They wanted to know if asphaltic concrete (asphalt) would be less expensive and as durable as concrete for a really large driveway. The answer: Asphalt (also known as blacktop) is definitely more flexible than concrete, but its surface is not as durable as concrete. Therefore, we feel the best use for asphalt is where the ground is expansive (soil that expands and contracts as its moisture content changes). Concrete is stronger and has a more resilient surface than asphalt, but it cracks plenty when poured in place over expansive soil.

Large, heavy pieces of equipment are often used to install asphalt. Therefore it is easier and more cost-effective to install when it is laid in large open areas (parking lots, large driveways, roads, etc.) On the other hand, concrete easily can be installed in small, enclosed places. Both asphalt and concrete are easily patched by hand.

Actually, asphalt is similar in makeup to concrete. Both contain an aggregate (gravel or rock) mixed into a binder. With asphalt, the binder is a crude tar-like petroleum product. In concrete the binder is portland cement. The petroleum binder in asphalt softens considerably in warm weather increasing its exposure to damage. Don't poke at asphalt on a hot day. You'll end up with a hole because asphalt is porous water and freezing conditions can take their toll. That's why it is important to know how to care for it.

Maintaining asphalt can be done professionally, but it really is easy to do and makes a great do-it-yourself project for a weekend. There are four areas of maintenance: small crack repairs, large crack repairs, pothole repairs and sealing.

Although sealing doesn't have to be done each time a crack or pothole is repaired, it is a good idea to combine all of the tasks into a single project.

Before beginning the process, you must completely clean the entire area to be sealed. A garden hose, a bristle brush and a bucket of soapy water will be needed. Mix a cup of powdered laundry detergent in a gallon of hot water and spread it over the area to be cleaned. Make sure the surface has been wet down with the hose first. Use the bristle broom to scrub the surface clean. Use a pressure washer instead of a broom for less work. Our formula works really well on preparing grease stains too.

Small cracks (up to about a half-inch wide) can be filled with asphalt sealer. If the crack is deeper than a quarter inch it should be filled with sand first. For cracks over a half inch, mix fine sand with the sealer. Be prepared to go back, in both instances, to apply a second coat where the crack patch settled.

The most enjoyable repair is fixing a pothole. This is something that can be done quickly and will really change the overall appearance of the surface. For the longest-lasting repair you should call a professional who will make a "hot patch." This is where the asphalt is superheated. When applied it "melt-bonds" with the existing asphalt. Hot asphalt also dries harder and is therefore a more durable repair. However, if the cost of a hot patch isn't in your budget, you can follow these easy steps:

-Dig the area of the pothole to a depth of approximately six inches.

-Clean all loose material out of the hole.

-Use a tamping tool to compact the subsurface.

-Add crushed rock to the hole and tamp it, leaving at least four inches from the top.

-Use cold asphalt in a bag to make the rest of the repair, tamping in one-inch-thick layers.

-A final layer (about a half-inch thick) should be applied to the patch and covered with a layer of sand. Use the wheel of a car driven back and forth over the area until the repair is smooth.

-Brush away excess.

-With cracks and potholes repaired, the final step is to seal the asphalt. This should be done every 3 to 4 years. Use emulsified asphalt or coal-tar sealer. Pour it onto the surface and spread it out to an even finish using a rubber squeegee. Some manufacturers recommend a second coat, but you want to be careful here. Applying too much sealer can result in a slick, slippery surface.

-Asphalt maintenance and repairs should be done when the temperature is above 60ºF. Repairs made in warm weather render materials that are more pliable and that set more rapidly, ensuring a better bond.