How to Fill Pot Holes
When pot holes happen on public streets, you can expect the local government to do something to patch it right up. However, when pot holes happen in your own driveway, there’s no one to look help for but yourself. Here’s how to fill pot holes by yourself, or with a friend.
Tools
Cold chisel
Sledgehammer
Garden hose
Safety goggles
Sponge
Stiff paintbrush
Trowel
Shovel
Wheelbarrow
2×4 wood
Push broom
Wood cement float
Materials
Ready-mix concrete mix
Liquid concrete bonding agent
Plastic drop cloth
Weights
Procedure
Don on your safety goggles and your gloves, if needed. The first thing you should do is get rid of any loose debris within the plot hole. Use the sledgehammer and cold chisel to remove any loose concrete and to make the most solid hole you can get. Sweep out the hole with a stiff broom and flush with a garden hose. Any remaining water should be absorbed by the sponge.
Prepare the ready-mix concrete according to instructions. Remember that you should use sand mix when filling small holes and gravel holes for big or deep holes. Pour the mix into the wheelbarrow, add the correct amount of water and mix with a shovel
As soon as the concrete is ready, pour into the hole before it dries. You can shovel it to distribute and trowel to fix it in its place, to pack it in to make sure that every little corner is filled. The surface of the patch should also be a slight mound in comparison with the surrounding area, and use the back of the shovel to tamp it down more firmly.
Level the patch by using the 2×4 by positioning it on the edge of the patch. Start from that end to draw zigzags all over the patch, using a pushing and pulling motion. Do this with a companion to do this quickly and effeciently, with your companion standing on the other side of the patch.
Let the concrete set for 45 minutes and repeat Step 6 with the wood cement float. Continue doing this until the surface has a film of water again.
Leave again until the film of water has been absorbed by the new concrete completely.
Cover the patch with a plastic dropcloth with weights at the edges. Do not walk over the patch for a week. Every other day during the week, take of the plastic dropcloth and cover with a fine film of water using the garden hose. Put the dropcloth back and its weights.
After a week, it should be safe to remove the dropcloth fully and use your driveway as you normally do.