Tried that cheap Edmonton pothole repair kit from Canadian Tire last spring

Saw that bag of cold patch asphalt for $15 and figured I'd fix the crater in my alley myself instead of waiting for the city. Followed the directions to the letter, tamped it down hard, and within a week it was already crumbling out. Guess I learned you either need the hot stuff or just give up and let the city do it. Anybody else have luck with those DIY kits or am I just doing it wrong?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancy303mo ago

Did you try throwing some water on it first? I swear I watched a city crew do that once before they rolled the hot asphalt and it looked like that made the difference with the cold patch stuff sticking better. Mine just turned into gravel too, it was super frustrating.

jason7322d ago

Wait, are you sure about the water thing? My understanding (and I've messed this up before too) is that water actually makes cold patch worse since it washes away the tacky binding stuff. Pretty sure pros use water to cool hot asphalt so it sets, not for cold patch.

amymiller3mo ago

That's honestly the story of my life with half the "simple fixes" I try around the house. @nancy30 you read one thing online then find out there's a secret ritual nobody told you about. It's like the universe hides the one extra step from everyone.