If you’ve ever driven over a pothole, then you know how unpleasant it is for the driver. Failure to fill them in once they appear guarantees that whoever drives over your pavement is in for a bad time. Because of this, it’s important that you, as a property owner, do everything you can to address the problem that they pose. The first step to doing this is learning what causes potholes. Here is all you need to know about fixing parking lot potholes.
How Do Potholes Form?
When asking the question “what causes potholes?” you’re likely to get a response pertaining to water erosion. While it’s true that water can lead to potholes, it’s a lot more complicated than that.
When water pools in one spot, then it either has to evaporate or enter the ground. Once in the ground, the constant contraction and expansion that occurs when the water freezes are what causes potholes to form.
As the ice thaws over and over and the pavement’s driven on continually, the ground begins to weaken and deteriorate. Over time as the material breaks down from the constant pressure, a crater starts to form, which is where potholes come from. That’s also why road surfaces always seem to be at their worse in the spring after the freeze and thaw of winter.
How Do You Repair A Hole In A Parking Lot?
First and foremost, you will need to call in a professional to assess the damage. Potholes vary in their severity, meaning that different methods are going to be required depending on how bad they are. Scheduling this is quick and easy and will give you some clarity regarding the project.
Repairing a hole in a parking lot yourself means purchasing an asphalt repair mix. Next, you want to mix it properly before pouring it and smoothing it over. Once this is finished, you will need to let it set for a while. During this downtime, you will want to ensure no one drives or steps on it. This can create a divot once it is done that will be difficult to address.
It is recommended that you receive a professional’s help if you have never tackled a pothole before. There is a lot of room for error and cutting out uneven concrete is more difficult than filling it in. If you are not confident that you can nail that task, call in someone who has done it before.
What Is The Best Material To Fill Potholes?
When it comes to pothole repair materials, you have two options. You can use the classic asphalt mix or the cold patch repair kit. The asphalt mix will be more difficult to use since it requires heating and mixing; however, it will leave your pothole looking good as new. On the other hand, a cold patch is easy to apply since it requires none of the above steps, but it is a lot less durable. You should only be using a cold patch kit if you plan to repave your parking lot in the next few years. If your parking lot is still early into its lifespan, then bite the bullet and use a standard mix.
How Can We Solve The Problem Of Potholes?
If you want to avoid potholes altogether, then actively maintain your parking lot. Filling in cracks right when they appear and seal coating your parking lot annually are required steps if you want to solve your pothole problem. To prevent water from entering the ground and allowing it the chance to freeze, you’ll need to get rid of all of its access points.
On top of that, you will also want to monitor what you are driving over the parking lot’s surface. Not every pavement is created the same, and there is a chance that yours is not designed to withstand a bunch of weight.
Finally, you will want to clear any debris and filth in your parking lot. Pressure washing, raking, and shoveling snow mean nothing will pack down on your asphalt’s surface. Like everything else, the better you take care of your parking lot, the less deterioration will occur. Overall the best way to prevent potholes is to maintain your pavement and fix any new problems that arise ASAP!
Have More Questions?
You can count on Walt’s Paving to complete your residential or commercial paving project in an efficient and timely manner. We have over 40 years of experience paving asphalt driveways, making asphalt repairs, and seal coating asphalt. We are located in Osceola, IN, and service homeowners and businesses within 50 miles of Elkhart, IN. If you have any further questions regarding our services, do not hesitate to contact us today.
