Asphalt pavement is a significant investment, but worth every penny considering that this durable surface can last from 10 to 20 or even 30 years as long as it’s properly maintained and cared for. One vital aspect of that care and maintenance is repair of potholes. Why is that so important? It’s simple: If you don’t repair potholes soon after they form, they will continue to grow until the surface of your asphalt pavement is damaged beyond repair. That means that the asphalt will need to be totally replaced – an expensive proposition! Fortunately, you can save the expense of replacing asphalt by simply having your potholes repaired as soon as possible after they appear.
Potholes form when ground water underneath the pavement expands and contracts as temperatures cool down and warm up. This weakens the paved surface, causing cracking. As vehicles travel over the weakened areas of pavement, pieces of the surface begin to crumble, and a pothole forms. The longer you wait to repair a pothole, the bigger it will become. And that can spell trouble for your asphalt surface.
The best way to repair potholes is to have it professionally done by a reputable paving contractor. Although the exact steps may vary depending on the contractor, the process goes something like this:
- The contractor will prepare the area to be repaired by removing loose pieces of asphalt, debris, and any existing plant material from the pothole.
- The contractor will then add sand and gravel to replace the aggregate that was washed away when the pothole formed, tamping down that material as more is added.
- Finally, the contractor will add an asphalt patch to the surface, making sure that it is completely level with the surrounding pavement.
Usually, it takes only a matter of hours for the asphalt patch to cure. After that, the pavement will be once again ready to withstand the heavy load of vehicle traffic.
If you notice potholes forming in your asphalt pavement, contact a local paving contractor right away. By repairing potholes and cracks in your paved surface, you could be extending its life by many years. One word of caution: Don’t attempt to make asphalt repairs on your own. Although the process may sound straightforward, only a licensed pavement contractor will have the materials and experience needed to make the kind of repairs that will last for many years to come.