Key Takeaway:
- Potholes form from water seepage, heavy machinery, and tree roots.
- Potholes can cause damage to your vehicle and be expensive to repair.
- You can prevent them by maintaining your asphalt parking lot and ensuring proper drainage.
- Asphalt repair is a temporary solution, and the best way to fix potholes is to address the root cause of the problem.
- Hire a professional asphalt pavement contractor to help maintain your parking lot and prevent potholes from forming. Request a free quote today!
Do you have a driveway or parking lot? If so, you know that potholes can be a big problem. They can cause damage to your property and your vehicle and make it hard to get around. On top of that, they are a recurring problem for home and business owners alike.
You’re likely familiar with the recurring problem of potholes. You patch them up, only for them to reappear a few weeks or months later. So, what is this recurrent cycle, and is there anything that can be done to slow it down? Laurel Asphalt offers a guide on the recurring problem of potholes and what steps you can take to solve them for good.
What are Potholes, and How are They Formed?
Potholes are a problem that dates back to the 15th and 16 centuries. You could say that with the creation of roads, they also came into existence. Pottery makers at the time would often dig up roads to get to the rich clay underneath. They were given the name by teamsters of coaches and wagon drivers in the U.K.
Today, potholes refer to depression in road surfaces. Although no pottery makers dig up the ground to get clay, they are formed due to natural causes. Potholes form when water seeps into small cracks in the pavement. This water then freezes and expands during cold weather, which causes the cracks to grow larger. When cars drive over these cracks, they widen and deepen, eventually forming a pothole.
Potholes can have different sizes and shapes. While they may seem minor, potholes can cause severe damage to your car. They can bend rims, shatter tires, or even break axles and be a significant threat to your vehicle suspension. In addition, potholes can cause accidents. U.S. Drivers face $3 billion worth of damages every year due to it.
Why Do They Keep Coming Back?
If you have owned a parking lot or driveway for a long time, you might know how stubborn potholes can be. No matter how many potholes repairs you get, they always come back. You could say potholes aren’t problems but symptoms of significant issues in your driveways and parking lot. Here are some of the causes which result in their formation.
1. The Weather
Water is the main culprit behind the formation of potholes. When water seeps into cracks on the pavement surface, it expands and weakens the ground beneath the asphalt. It makes it more susceptible to breaking and forming potholes when vehicles drive over it.
2. Poor Drainage
If a parking lot or driveway doesn’t have proper drainage, water will pool on its surface. It can lead to the formation of potholes over time.
You could consider having a paving contractor look at your property to assess the drainage and make recommendations for improvement.
3. Lack of A Seal Coat
Seal coating is a preventative measure that helps protect asphalt from damage caused by water, U.V. rays, and chemicals. Without it, pavements are more likely to develop cracks and potholes.
Now might be a good time if you haven’t had your pavement seal coated in a while. A professional paving contractor can help determine if seal coating is suitable for your property.
4. Heavy Traffic
The more vehicles that drive over pavement, the more wear and tear they will experience. It could also result due to constant parking of heavy-duty vehicles. It can eventually lead to the formation of cracks and potholes.
5. Tree roots
Tree roots can also cause potholes. As trees grow, their roots push against the pavement, causing cracks to form. Over time, these cracks get bigger and turn into potholes.
Although tree roots can be removed for a quick time, fix, they can eventually grow back, leading to recurring pothole formation.
How To Solve Recurring Potholes?
You can always fix potholes with simple asphalt paving, which can patch them up.
Pothole repairs can be costly either you solve the problem yourself or hire a pavement contractor. Here are some ways that can help keep your driveways and parking lots free from potholes for a long time:
1. Seal Coating Is Best for Winter
Winter is coming. And with it, the freezing and thawing of water create havoc on your pavement. But you can minimize the effects by seal coating your parking lot or driveway before winter sets in. It will help to fill any existing cracks and prevent new ones from forming.
The seal coat will form a barrier between the asphalt and the external environment, making it hard for water and debris to seep in, keeping your asphalt safe.
2. Asphalt Maintenance is Key
The problem with asphalt is that it requires maintenance to keep it in good condition.
The best way to keep your asphalt in tip-top shape is to have it professionally cleaned and sealed every two to three years.
You can do this yourself, but it’s best to leave it to professionals with the right equipment and know-how to do a good job. You will be free from asphalt repairs for years to come with proper maintenance.
3. Reducing Factors That Result in Problem
As potholes occur due to poor drainage, heavy vehicle, machinery, tree roots, etc., a great way to fix problems is to focus on repairs and fixing the causes.
You could limit heavy-duty machinery in your parking lot and remove tree stumps near them to reduce the chances of pothole formation. For solving issues relating to water, a proper seal coat and asphalt surface inspection can help fix the problem.
Also Read: Your Concise Guide to Utility Potholing
Conclusion
Potholes are a problem we all face. But by taking the proper measures, you can quickly fix them and even prevent their re-occurrence. Asphalt repair might seem like a pain, but with the appropriate guidance, it can be done smoothly!
If you’re in Mt. Pleasant, PA, and facing pothole issues, consider contacting us. At Laurel Asphalts, we have professionals that can not only offer pothole repairs but can help with pothole-related other problems.
We can level your parking lot or driveway surface through top-of-the-line residential and commercial asphalt paving. You can also get a high-quality seal coat on your asphalt pavement from us.
Get in touch with us for a free estimate on your asphalt project.
