Finally, level and spread the mix with an aluminum paving rake. Next, begin filling the hole with asphalt material, placing the mix against the edges first. If the area is wet, it should be blotted dry before patching. Once the area has been properly swept, marked and cut following the steps above, the area that will be patched will need to be cleaned of debris.

Though it might seem intimidating, it's actually fairly simple. One of the most common reasons for asphalt excavation is to repair a pothole. Mark, cut, lay the cable, and crack fill. Now you're all set to remove the damaged section and patch.Ĭable Tip: If you're just cutting to run a cable, one straight cut path is all you need. Knowing how to cut asphalt means you know neverto turn the saw while the blade is running, or you'll break the blade. Make your first straight cut, stop, and lift the blade to the next position for your next straight cut. Set your blade depth to the thickness of the paving (you can check this by digging at the edge of the pavement to see how deep it is). Once you've decided where you'd like to cut, mark with a chalk line, and then dent the chalk line with an old screwdriver and a hammer to give the blade a path when you are cutting asphalt. In other words, don't just cut out the damaged area – widen your cutting zone a bit so you've got good solid edges. You'll also want to square up edges, as this makes for a better and longer-lasting repair than a round patch. You will need to cut where the pavement is still in good shape. Other soft-bonded blades are not effective on asphalt pavement cutting. Because asphalt is softer, it requires a diamond blade with a hard bond. Instead, use an asphalt cutting blade for the best results.Ĭutting asphalt requires a unique blade that is different than one you would use to cut other surfaces such as concrete, marble, or granite.

In fact, this could actually weaken the surrounding asphalt. Contrary to common assumption, a jackhammer is not the best tool for this job.

One of the most important steps to take before cutting asphalt is making sure that you're using the right equipment. If you are undergoing a paving project that requires blacktop excavation, it's important to understand the specifics of how to cut through blacktop.

Concrete saw on asphalt