Cut and patch (C&P) is a procedure that often precedes an overlay (the application of 1.5" of compressed asphalt over the entire surface of an existing driveway), but it can also be done as a separate process to fix an area in a driveway that has sunken, failed or been damaged.
When doing a C&P, workers saw cut around the damaged area (usually 1' beyond the visible damage on all sides). The old asphalt is removed; additional #304 lime stone is added as needed and compressed into place. Then new asphalt is added and it too is compressed into place. The result is a stable, nicely cut square or rectangle consisting of new asphalt that is level with the existing drive.
Because a patch consists of new asphalt embedded in the existing, older asphalt, its appearance is different and distinct from the older material. New asphalt has a rougher appearance than older asphalt because the spaces between the new asphalt's stones (aggregate) are open and haven't been filled with seal coat. However, each time the patched area is sealed it blends better with the existing pavement and becomes less apparent. After a driveway has been sealed several times, the surface becomes smooth and it blends better with the older portions of the driveway.
This is a picture of a section of driveway before and after it has been cut and patched..
Figure 1: Before Cut and Patch
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Figure 2: After Cut and Patch
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The difference is obvious, but to some it can be disconcerting particularly if you expect it to look like and blend seamlessly with the existing driveway.
As noted earlier, after sealer and crack sealant is applied, the patch will look like those below.
Figures 3 & 4 show the cut and patched area after the driveway has been seal coated.
Figure 3: C&P After Seal & Crack Seal
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Figure 4: Same Patch, Different Angle
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These pictures should give you a realistic example of what you can expect though, to parody weight loss ads, results may vary.
New patches should not be sealed for at least 30 days. Asphalt, like concrete, needs time to cure. During that time it releases gases to the atmosphere and, if sealer is applied too early, it doesn't adhere well because the gases are trying to get out. If sealed too soon, the sealer has a tendency to flake and come off. Thirty (30) days to cure is the minimum that we recommend; longer is better. After the thirty (30) day period, the entire drive can be sealed; however as shown in the pictures above, even though the patched area will receive two coats of sealant, this will not entirely conceal the fact that the area was repaired. The patches will be less apparent, but they will still be visible. This will be the case until several more coats of sealer have been applied. We do not recommend applying extra coats of sealer just to hide the patch. As we have noted elsewhere, too much sealer on a driveway will shrink, crack, chip and come off and can produce an eyesore.
