Although you may realize that paving repairs are inevitable, you probably still grimace when you notice a pothole in your asphalt pavement. Potholes can be responsible for injuring pedestrians, damaging cars, and causing additional pavement problems that can be very expensive to remedy. You know that you need to have an asphalt contractor repair the potholes in your pavement, but you may not be aware of which of the possible repair methods would be the best choice. The time of year, the pothole’s size, and your future plans can influence which method your contractor might recommend.
The Top Methods for Fixing Potholes
Why Does the Time of Year Matter When Repairing Potholes?
Most pothole repair methods use hot mix asphalt, but the proper compaction and curing of hot mix asphalt require temperatures above freezing for 36 to 48 hours. During the winter months, however, paving contractors can still install a cold mix patch. This is a temporary solution that will probably not last more than a few months, but it is better than doing nothing. When the weather is warmer, contractors can use hot mix asphalt to make permanent or semipermanent paving repairs to fix your potholes.
How Does the Size of a Pothole Affect the Method Used to Repair It?
The best way to fix a pothole is either full-depth or partial-depth asphalt patching. If the pothole does not reach beyond the top few asphalt layers, a partial-depth patch may be an option. However, if the pothole extends to or beyond the base layers, a full-depth patch is the preferred parking lot repair. These repairs are also called remove and replace repairs. The damaged area is removed, then new layers of asphalt are placed and compacted. A full-depth patch exposes the base layers so that the contractor can make repairs to the foundation. A partial-depth patch removes only the affected layers and does not involve foundation repairs.
How Can My Future Plans for My Pavement Affect the Method Used to Repair a Pothole?
No asphalt pavement lasts forever, and you may be planning to have it reconstructed within a few months if you cannot salvage it with an asphalt overlay. If this is the case, you probably want to choose whichever method is the cheapest and avoid making foundation repairs at the moment. On the other hand, if you are determined to prolong your pavement’s useful life for as long as you can, you might want to consider full-depth patching to protect the integrity of your pavement’s foundation.
If I Plan to Install an Asphalt Overlay, Can I Skip Pothole Repairs?
Experienced paving contractors typically recommend making repairs to the existing pavement before installing an overlay. If you overlay damaged asphalt, the damage pattern can quickly be replicated in the overlay. Furthermore, an overlay requires a stable and robust foundation. If you skip repairing the potholes in your pavement, your foundation could be eroded and weakened by water penetration. The best thing to do is to ask a reputable contractor to assess your pavement and advise on the repairs you should make.
The Surface Masters Can Provide the Right Solutions for Your Paving Problems
The Surface Masters is an asphalt paving company, and we are committed to providing every customer with outstanding results and exemplary service on every job. We offer an extensive menu of paving services, including asphalt crack repairs, seal coat, asphalt patching, concrete repair, pavement markings, and asphalt paving and asphalt overlay. We can help you determine the best ways to obtain a longer life for your pavement and a better return on your investment. You can request a free quote by calling our office in Marietta at 770-250-6392 or completing our online form.
