Potholes don’t just appear overnight. A number of different external and internal elements come together to damage your asphalt pavement over time. Anything and everything from constant heavy vehicular traffic to low quality construction, fluctuating temperatures, weather elements, and total lack of maintenance can all contribute to the formation of potholes. Starting with a tiny crack, potholes can quickly develop and worsen over time due to negligence and constant usage. The pothole repairing process can either be very complex or extremely simple depending on the depth, width, and other factors involved.
The longer you neglect to administer pothole repair, the worse the problem will get. Debris and large water deposits will fill the pothole over time, causing internal damages such as erosion and structural weakness. Potholes that have been around for a long time are usually a lot harder and more expensive to repair. In some cases, they can even require a partial or complete asphalt pavement overhaul.
Make Sure Traffic Safety Measures Are in Place
To maintain optimal safety standards in all weather conditions and prevent motorists from driving over the affected area, make sure to clear out ample space for pothole repair services to work comfortably and safely. Post orange or yellow construction signage that’s visible in all weather conditions to alert drivers that there’s construction work being done ahead so they can drive with caution.
Mark and Prepare the Area to Be Fixed
Before any roadwork can begin, crew members need to mark and prepare the precise area that needs to be repaired. Remove all broken pieces and smooth out the edges of the pothole using an asphalt saw or a hammer.
Clear Out Debris and Water Deposits
Potholes are essentially a big gaping hole in the ground, which means all kinds of organic matter, litter, and even large water deposits can collect inside of them. To prevent trapping debris and water inside of the structure, it’s important to thoroughly remove as much of it from inside of the pothole as possible before patching it up.
Tack the Interior
Coating the entire interior of the pothole from top to bottom with tack ensures that the new asphalt mixture will adhere well with the existing structure and form a cohesive, long-lasting, impermeable bond.
Heat It Up
In order for proper adhesion to occur, the pothole must be completely dry. Heating the pothole before patching it up removes all moisture that may be lingering in the crevices of the structure and ensures that the new material will adhere completely to the existing structure.
Patch Up the Pothole
Once the pothole has been properly prepared, use either a hot or cold mix asphalt to fill it in. Make sure the mixture is properly compacted and evenly distributed to reinforce the strength of the structure. Be careful not to apply too much patching material all at once so that it doesn’t overflow outside of the hole. This will create an uneven surface layer of asphalt pavement.
Seal the Edges
After the middle of the pothole is sufficiently filled in, it’s time to carefully seal the edges to create a smooth and totally seamless finish. When you’re finished, there should be no indicators that there was ever a pothole in that spot.
Your search for “pothole repair near me” ends here. Sure-Seal Pavement Maintenance Inc. is one of the most trusted pothole repair services in Toronto, Brampton, and the GTA. We have an A+ rating on BBB to prove that we’re committed to providing absolute customer satisfaction and high-quality workmanship for all projects. Contact us today to learn more.
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