Potholes seem to be despised by motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists around the world. A large pothole can inflict damage on a car’s suspension, tires, and undercarriage, and even a relatively small one can trip pedestrians or unseat cyclists and damage their bikes. Potholes are dangerous, unsightly, and frustrating to encounter, but you may not realize that they can also lead to a costly asphalt repair or the complete failure of your entire pavement.
Is There a Perfect Time to Repair Potholes?
Although certain procedures, including asphalt sealing, tend to be grouped into specific seasons, the right time to repair a pothole is now. Whether the temperature is in the 90s or the 40s, you should call a reputable asphalt paving company to make the repair. At certain times of the year, your contractor may not be able to make a permanent repair, but there are a couple of different methods he can use to make a temporary repair.
Why Is Asphalt Repair an Essential Part of Parking Lot Maintenance?
Asphalt pavements rest on top of a foundation of compacted aggregates, and the foundation rests on top of the soil. Potholes and other breaks in the surface of the pavement allow water to reach the foundation, and the water will eventually reach the underlying soil. Flowing water can cause erosion; if temperatures drop below freezing, the expanding ice will cause additional damage. This can result in alligator cracking or additional potholes.
Is It Possible to Prevent Patching?
The best way to prevent potholes is to be proactive about your routine maintenance. Asphalt sealing is an economical and highly effective way to help prevent damage to your pavement from UV rays, automotive fluids, and chemical deicers. Ask a reputable sealcoating contractor to recommend a schedule for reapplications that takes into account the condition of the pavement, the type of traffic it supports, and the care that the pavement has received throughout its life. Another critical part of your maintenance program should be the timely repair of all significant cracks. Most potholes are the result of neglected cracks that allow water infiltration to erode the foundation. Lastly, keep your pavement clean. Remove leaked automotive fluids, piles of leaves, and trash regularly.
How Does an Asphalt Paving Company Reconstruct This?
There are various techniques that can be used to repair potholes, but they all involve some type of asphalt patching. Typically, the contractor will saw out a square or rectangle that contains the pothole, including a border of about 12 inches on all sides. If it is necessary to repair the foundation, all layers of the asphalt can be removed to expose the foundation. The contractor may strengthen the foundation by adding more aggregate. Once all of the preliminary steps are completed, new asphalt is installed and compacted. If it is necessary to perform a temporary repair, your contractor can install a surface patch, also known as a skin patch.
Does MH Greeson Repair Potholes?
Greeson Sealcoating repairs cracks and potholes in asphalt pavements. We also offer sealcoating, parking lot signage, bollards, and parking lot striping and marking to customers in Marietta and throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. We are experienced, committed to quality workmanship, and dedicated to ensuring that every customer is completely satisfied with our work. Submit the online form or call 770-335-2983 if you would like to receive a free quote.
