How to Deal with Spring Pothole Season

A sure sign that spring is here is the potholes that appear in parking lots and roadways. Not only are they unsightly but they can also cause accidents and damage to vehicles. Immediate pothole repair can save your business both money and headaches in the long run.

Since potholes are fairly common in the spring, most professional pothole repair companies typically experience a surge in business around this time of year. As a result, it is recommended that you address any signs of asphalt damage on your property now before they get much worse and lead to irreversible potholes!

What Causes Potholes?

Potholes form mainly due to the freeze-thaw cycle and water infiltration. A pothole occurs when water seeps into cracks in your parking lot’s pavement. It then freezes, causing the pavement to expand; when it thaws, the pavement contracts, causing cracks, which eventually lead to larger areas of cracking, pavement instability, and then potholes.

Environmental factors such as rain, snow, harmful ultraviolet light, neglected maintenance and repairs, and heavy weighted vehicle traffic can also cause asphalt to deteriorate, leading to cracks and eventually, potholes.

The Pothole Problem: Understanding the Threat

As mentioned above, potholes are more than just a nuisance to the steady movement of traffic flow. Hitting a pothole can cause considerable damage to a vehicle, especially if it is hit at a high speed. Cracks, divots, depressions, and potholes all take a toll on a vehicle’s suspension system.

Potholes can also affect a vehicle’s tire pressure and cause significant damage, especially if the tire becomes punctured. Over time, the force of impact can throw off a vehicle’s alignment and cause the wheels to bend. This adds pressure on the tires and they can eventually pop or become loose.

Aside from damage to vehicles, potholes can also seriously injure employees and customers on commercial properties. Small and large potholes can become a liability and safety hazard for motorists and pedestrians.

How Can You Identify Potholes?

Identifying existing potholes may seem easy enough, but did you know that potholes begin to form days, if not weeks, before they are actually visible to the eye? Contrary to what you might think, they don’t just appear overnight.

Cold weather conditions can cause cracks to form within the pavement. As water seeps into the asphalt and the subbase, it begins to deteriorate the asphalt surface. Furthermore, the integrity of the asphalt and the subbase are in jeopardy and this can the asphalt surface to either partially or completely collapse.

It is a result of this asphalt weakening that potholes develop. Any damage needs immediate attention from a professional paving company.

Pothole Preventative Measures

While potholes seem to be a natural occurrence, there are ways to reduce the risk of potholes forming. It begins with regularly inspecting your asphalt parking lot or roadway. Make note of any cracks, damages, or water infiltration so that you can perform the necessary repairs and prevent potholes before they start developing.

The asphalt can be damaged over time if litter, leaves, and debris build up. Keeping the entire surface clean by regularly sweeping and cleaning your property can help extend its lifespan and reduce the need to perform asphalt repairs.

How Are Potholes Repaired?

There are many methods to repair potholes, ranging from short-term solutions such as cold asphalt patching and hot asphalt patching to long-term solutions like full repairs.

At Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc., we don’t just patch potholes—we fully repair the asphalt. We will cut out the damaged area and then identify and fix any problem areas before repaving the pothole.

We apply new hot asphalt in two layers, depending on the work’s scope. To ensure a smooth finish, our team levels and evens out the asphalt, promising a revamped, durable surface—pothole-free.

In general, potholes only take one day to repair but it depends on the weather conditions and the size of the pothole. Property owners should assess their project needs and consider the steps involved in asphalt repair, maintenance, and installation.

Safety Precautions for Drivers

As potholes can be a serious safety concern, motorists need to be vigilant and keep an eye out for potholes on roadways and parking lots. If you can’t avoid hitting a pothole, apply your brakes, slow down as much as possible, and then release your foot off the brake pedal as the tire meets the pothole. Braking as you hit the pothole can cause more damage as the weight of the vehicle is shifted towards the front.

Keep in mind that deep puddles on an asphalt surface after a rainstorm may be hiding a significant pothole. Try not to speed through large puddles. Regularly maintain your vehicle and inspect it often, especially the tires. Properly inflated and aligned tires can improve your vehicle’s performance when coming into contact with a pothole.

Tackle Potholes Today with Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance

If you need spring pothole repairs or asphalt crack repair services, rely on Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc., the leading paving contractor in the GTA, to handle your asphalt issues promptly. We have been providing paving services across the GTA for more than 30 years. Our trained and certified technicians use state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality products to install, repair, and maintain your parking lots, roadways, and properties. Contact us today to schedule an onsite consultation with our team!