Why Do Potholes Form and What Pothole Repairs Are the Best? We cringe when we see a pothole forming in our asphalt driveway or parking lot. Cracks not only look unsightly, but they also pose a potential safety hazard while driving. If you have ever hit a pothole, you are aware of the risks it poses to your vehicle.

It goes without saying that you should call a qualified asphalt paving contractor for pothole repairs as soon as you notice the first sign of a pothole on your pavement. But what causes potholes to form in your asphalt pavement in the first place? Let’s find out!

Water and Cold Weather Can Wreak Havoc on Your Pavement & Pothole Repairs is important

Why Do Potholes Form and What Pothole Repairs Are the Best?Winter is a prime season for asphalt driveway and parking lot damage — especially in cases of repeated freezing and thawing of water.

It all starts with water seeping through surface cracks and settling into the pavement’s foundation. The water beneath the asphalt expands as it freezes. This puts a huge strain on the pavement, pushing areas of the pavement upward and resulting in even more cracks. The ice melts and evaporates in warmer weather, leaving a hole beneath the pavement. As vehicles drive over this weak spot, the material breaks down and forms a pothole.

How Can I Keep My Vehicle Safe From Potholes? Pothole Repairs is good?

The collision coverage on your auto insurance policy may cover pothole-related damage to your vehicle. Unfortunately, your insurance will not cover the normal wear and tear caused by driving on pothole-infested pavements for an extended period.

What kind of damage can potholes do to your vehicle? Keep a lookout for the following:

  • Tire blowouts
  • Bent wheel
  • Broken suspension
  • Improper wheel alignment
  • Damaged exhaust system
  • Engine failure

Why Do Potholes Form and What Pothole Repairs Are the Best?There are ways to protect your vehicle from the risks of potholes, such as driving slowly over a pothole with minimal braking. However, the best way to protect your car is to prevent the formation of the pothole in the first place.

You can even keep the pothole from getting worse by not swerving at the last second, which can force your tires to hit the pothole at an oblique angle and break off more sections of the asphalt.

Early Detection

The first sign that your asphalt pavement is in peril is the presence of barely visible hairline cracks. They may look inconsequential, but they are red flags to asphalt paving contractors. It is critical to have your pavement regularly inspected so that preventative pothole repair measures can be taken. This may include sealing the surface to prevent water from getting to the substrate.

Pothole Repair

Why Do Potholes Form and What Pothole Repairs Are the Best?Asphalt patching and paving should be done in the summer heat for pothole repairs that last. While pothole repairs can be tricky in the cold, they are possible with cold mix asphalt. As the name implies, cold mix asphalt is more workable than hot mix asphalt in colder weather.

It is produced by combining paving grade aggregates and asphalt emulsion — and, in some cases, anti-stripping additives. Cold mix asphalt has traditionally been used as a temporary patching material or when hot mix asphalt is unavailable. However, it has the advantage of being used at low temperatures and remaining more flexible than the hot mix, thanks to its longer cure time.

Address

Commonwealth Paving, 136 Outerloop, Louisville, Kentucky 40214
Phone: 502-459-7283, Fax: 502-456-2678

Opening Hours

Monday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed