A Primer on Potholes

If there is one thing everyone can agree on it’s that potholes are a pain – you will never complain about potholes and have someone disagree with you. Aside from that though, most people don’t know a lot about how potholes are formed and even less about how to properly repair them. Here is some basic information on the nemesis of drivers from Canada to Florida.

Causes

Potholes are caused by weather, age, water, and disruption from vehicles. All of these factors work on the road surface to create cracks that, grow larger over time. No matter how your road is constructed, potholes can form. The four main causes of potholes can be summarized as follows:

• Inadequate drainage
• Thin pavement that doesn’t support vehicle traffic at certain times of the year
• Failure at man-holes and trenches
• Delayed maintenance that results in cracks and moisture entering the base layer of the road

The more time between the first cracks appearing and preventative maintenance being performed, the bigger the pothole. Truly impressive potholes represent a failure on the part of a business owner or the agency responsible for repairs.

Fixes

The key to preventing potholes is catching them in their early stages. Asphalt repair by a professional paving company will be less expensive and take less time than repairing a fully-formed pothole. Sealcoating can play a role in preventing potholes by strengthening the surface of the asphalt with a layer of coal-tar pitch or asphalt cement.

Once a large pothole forms, the hole must be filled with suitable materials and resurfaced. This involves bringing in heavy equipment and often shutting down a parking lot for a day or more.

For asphalt resurfacing, sealcoating, pothole repair, overlays, and striping, contact Azzarelli Paving in Florida. We have been operating in the Tampa area for over 30 years, working to eradicate potholes and produce clean asphalt parking lots for businesses. Call or email us today!

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