Should I patch my old Ottawa asphalt or just repave?

The decision depends on your driveway's age, extent of damage, and base condition — if you have widespread cracking, multiple potholes, or base failure, full repaving is the only durable solution in Ottawa's harsh climate.

Patching makes sense when you have isolated damage on an otherwise sound driveway that's less than 15 years old. Small potholes (under 1 square foot), individual cracks, and edge deterioration can be effectively repaired with hot-mix asphalt patches and hot-pour crack sealing. Professional patching costs $100 to $400 per pothole and extends the driveway's life by 3 to 5 years when done properly. The key is ensuring the existing base beneath the damaged area is still stable — if water has penetrated through cracks and softened the granular base, patches will fail within one Ottawa winter.

Full repaving becomes necessary when you see widespread alligator cracking (interconnected cracks forming a reptile-skin pattern), multiple potholes, significant edge crumbling, or areas where the asphalt has completely failed down to the base layer. These are signs that Ottawa's freeze-thaw cycles have compromised the structural integrity of both the asphalt surface and potentially the base beneath. Patching extensive damage is like putting bandaids on a fundamentally failed system — the patches will reflect the movement and instability of the surrounding deteriorated asphalt.

Ottawa's extreme climate makes this decision more critical than in milder regions. Our 50+ annual freeze-thaw cycles mean that once water penetrates the asphalt surface through cracks, it reaches the base layer and begins the cycle of freezing, expanding, and further destabilizing the foundation. A driveway showing significant cracking is already past the point where surface treatments alone will provide lasting repair. The deep frost line (1.2 to 1.5 metres) means that base failure often extends well below what's visible at the surface.

Consider your driveway's age and maintenance history. If your asphalt is over 20 years old and hasn't been regularly sealed every 2-3 years, the binder has likely oxidized and become brittle throughout its depth. Patching aged, brittle asphalt rarely provides lasting results because the surrounding material continues to deteriorate. Conversely, a 10-year-old driveway with isolated damage from a settled catch basin or tree root intrusion can often be successfully patched if the overall surface remains sound.

Evaluate the cost-benefit carefully. Extensive patching can cost $1,500 to $3,000 and may only buy you 2 to 3 additional years before full replacement becomes inevitable. A complete repave costs $4,000 to $9,000 for an average Ottawa driveway but provides 20 to 25 years of service life with proper maintenance. If your repair costs exceed 30 percent of replacement cost, repaving typically offers better long-term value.

When to hire a professional: Any patching beyond small crack filling requires a paving contractor with hot-mix asphalt and proper compaction equipment. Cold patch from hardware stores is only temporary in Ottawa's climate and will fail within one winter season.

Need help finding a driveway contractor? Ottawa Driveways can match you with local paving professionals for free estimates on both repair and replacement options.