Everything You Need to Know About Pothole Repair by CPEX

We have all had to deal with potholes before. Whether they are in a street, driveway, or parking lot, they can cause a lot of trouble. Not only are they ugly, but they can also damage vehicles. Even minor vehicle repairs can be expensive, so investing in pothole repair is best before a problem occurs.

What Makes a Pothole?

There are various reasons why a pothole forms, but in almost every case, it is some combination of water and traffic. A pothole forms when the surface asphalt and the substrate, which is beneath the asphalt, can no longer hold up the weight of passing vehicles.

When the surface and sub-surface of the pavement buckle, a pothole forms. A pothole can range from a minor bump to a tire-destroying catastrophe. If they aren’t repaired, a pothole can worsen and grow larger.

What Do We Need for Pothole Repairs?

Pothole repair begins by cleaning the hole out. For this, you will need a weeding tool or stiff broom if grass or plants have taken root. It has to be able to get the dirt and debris out of the hole to start the repair. For the hole itself, you will want to have a sturdy shovel.

You will need a wet saw or a concrete and asphalt saw. If you have a diamond bit, that will make the task a lot easier. You will also need a paver and a tamper. These tools are to put the new asphalt into the hole and tamp it down so the repair is level and even.

The process can involve dealing with heavy or hot material, so make sure to wear good, sturdy gloves. You could also need a caulking gun if there are cracks that extend away from the pothole. This is so that you can repair and seal those cracks.

How Do We Repair Potholes?

If possible, make sure to have help when tackling a job like asphalt repair. If you don’t have any help or experience in working with the tools above, you should hire a contractor who can take care of the repair.

Begin by cleaning the area around the pothole. Sweep away any dirt or debris that is around the area that you’re going to be working in. Avoid using any water, as this could cause further damage to the asphalt.
Dig out the hole, removing any debris or rubble that is inside of it. You want to dig down beneath the sub-layer and to the dirt itself. Once you’ve done that, you can begin to work on the repair.
Cut the hole out with your saw, making the edges smoother and more uniform. This will help the seal to take hold and bond with the asphalt around the pothole. It may be easier for you to square the hole or enlarge it, depending on the situation.
Use the paver to apply a layer of fresh, hot-mix asphalt. You don’t want to use cold-mix for potholes as it won’t last very long and will be a weaker patch prone to collapse or failure.
Apply a layer around 1.5 inches in depth. You will then use the tamp to press down, compressing and flattening the new asphalt. Repeat this process as necessary until the top of the asphalt is even with the top of the pavement around it.
Once the hole is full, make sure that the edges come together. You may have to tamp down some more to get the asphalt mix to spread out better.

When Pothole Repair Is Over

When the repair is over, you still have to be careful. The asphalt needs time to cure. Avoid applying any direct, twisting pressure to the surface of the asphalt. This means do not turn your care wheels over the patch for at least three or four weeks. Once that time has passed, you can use the driveway like normal.

Your Pothole Repair Experts

The process of repairing an asphalt driveway can be intimidating for those who don’t have the experience or knowledge of working with asphalt. For others, the price of the tools and equipment you’ll need is out of reach. In those cases, you can turn to a trusted asphalt contractor.

CPEX has everything we need to repair your driveway. No pothole is too large or difficult for us to take care of. If you’re ready for your pothole repair to be completed and not have to worry about damaging your car, contact us.