Potholes are more than just a nuisance—they’re a safety hazard and can quickly lead to expensive damage if left unchecked. Whether it’s your driveway or a business parking lot, getting those holes patched up promptly is key to keeping your pavement smooth and durable. Asphalt Doctors knows the best pothole repair methods to ensure your asphalt stays in top shape year-round.
What Causes Potholes?
Potholes don’t just appear out of nowhere—they’re usually caused by water infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, and heavy traffic. Water seeps into the cracks, freezes in colder months, then expands and contracts, weakening the asphalt over time. Neglecting repairs lets these cracks turn into full-blown potholes, leading to bigger problems like unsafe driving conditions and costly damage to your vehicle or pavement.
Signs You Need Pothole Patching
Sometimes you don’t need to see a bunch of obvious potholes in order to get ahead of needed repairs. When you start noticing visible cracks, standing water, large holes, or rough, uneven surfaces, it’s time to think about pothole patching. Cracks are obviously not the same thing as a pothole, nor do they necessarily use the same repair methods, but the one will undoubtedly lead to the other.
Regularly inspecting your asphalt for these issues can save you from bigger headaches down the road, and catching problems early allows for simpler fixes and can prevent more expensive, widespread damage—saving your wallet and your pavement from a rough future. If you see potholes themselves, this is of course a sign that pothole patching is needed lest they grow larger.
Pothole Patching Solutions
Skin Patching
Skin patching is a quick and relatively cheap fix that gets the job done for smaller, less severe potholes. Essentially, it involves cleaning the hole, filling it with new asphalt, and smoothing it out. While it’s cost-effective and ideal for minor damage that’s generally contained to the surface, it’s not a long-term solution for major potholes that reach deep into the asphalt. This method tends to be used when looking for a fast fix before a bigger repair is needed.
Full-Depth Patching R&R
Full-depth patching is the exact opposite of skin patching. It’s the usual solution for more severe potholes where the damage extends deeper into the asphalt or even threatens to compromise the structural integrity of the surface as a whole. This method involves removing the damaged section entirely, down to the base, and replacing it with fresh asphalt.
While this is certainly more labor-intensive and costly in the short term, the result is a lasting repair, preventing further deterioration and repeated repair costs. If your pothole is large, deep, or located in high-traffic areas, full-depth patching is the way to go.
Infrared Patching
Infrared patching is an innovative solution that has surged in popularity due to the speed and precision in which it can be completed, all without sacrificing quality—in fact, it will actually improve it.
The process involves using advanced equipment to heat the surrounding area of the pothole, remove any damaged sections, then subsequently blend new asphalt to create a smooth, uniform surface. This method not only fixes potholes but also increases the overall strength and durability of the surrounding area, making it a fantastic long-term option. Maybe the best part is that it can often be completed in as little as 10-20 minutes! That means less down time and minimal interruptions—perfect for high-traffic roads and parking lots.
Professional Asphalt Maintenance and Repair
The optimal solution for your pothole woes may vary depending on the severity of the damage, but acting quickly with a fix will undoubtedly save your wallet and your peace of mind. Contact Asphalt Doctors today to ensure your pavement stays smooth, safe, and durable for years to come.