As the snow and ice start to melt, you may notice that potholes have suddenly appeared in your parking lot. Not only are these pesky holes in the asphalt a pain for drivers, but they can quickly become a liability for property owners as well. Ever wondered what causes potholes and what can be done to fix them? Keep reading to get the answers to these commonly asked questions.
What causes potholes?
Moisture from rain and snow seeps into the cracks of the pavement and gathers just below the visible surface. The moisture begins to soften and wash away the sand and gravel that serves as a base for the pavement. During the winter months, the moisture under the pavement freezes and expands, putting pressure on and weakening the pavement above. Traffic that travels over the weakened area eventually causes it to collapse; leaving a hole in the pavement that will continue to get larger until the area is repaired.
How are potholes repaired?
There are two different methods that are used when repairing potholes. The first method is called cold- patch and is utilized during the winter months when hot-mix asphalt plants are closed. Cold-patch consists of clearing the pothole of debris, filling it with a soft asphalt mixture, and tamping it to compaction. This type of repair is very temporary and does not address the problem in the pavement base that caused the pothole to begin with. Potholes that are repaired using this method will most likely need a more permanent fix in the spring.
The second and most effective method of repair is a hot-mix asphalt repair. This mixture of asphalt and aggregate is designed to last for years, but can only be applied when the weather is dry and warm. Hot-mix asphalt repairs are done by blocking the affected area, rerouting traffic around the worksite, removing the damaged pavement, rebuilding the base, filling the pothole with a hot-mix asphalt to a sufficient depth and rolling or tamping it down to match the level of the existing pavement.
About Otto’s Parking Marking
Otto’s Parking Marking is an Indiana parking lot maintenance company, serving the greater Indianapolis area, including Greenwood, Carmel, Brownsburg, and Greenfield. Otto’s has a well-deserved reputation for fair prices, quality workmanship, and excellent customer service. Our dedicated and highly trained crews can repair the potholes in your parking lot, so that it is safe for your customers and employees.