Potholes in your parking lot or driveway not only reduce your curb appeal, but can also cause trips or damage to vehicles. Holes and cracks form in asphalt when water seeps through its protective seal, weakening it and causing it to expand and contract with the temperatures. If you require pothole repair, here are some reasons why your pavement may have collapsed. 

3 Potential Reasons Your Pavement Has Potholes

1. Water Damage

Water is one of the biggest enemies of paved surfaces. If the protective seal on your pavement wears out, moisture can seep into the asphalt and settle in its base layer. During the seasonal freeze-thaw cycle, the corroded pavement then expands and retracts, creating cracks and eventually breaking apart the asphalt. 

2. Heavy Machinery

If the pavement is already weak from water infiltration and a worn seal coat, the weight of heavy vehicles could exacerbate the problem, causing the asphalt to pull apart and creating potholes. Gaps also start to form between the base layer and the pavement, further weakening its structure.

3. Improper Drainage

If you don’t have proper drainage systems around your parking lot or driveway, you could also be causing premature wear on your pavement. Without an escape route, rainwater settles on the ground and is left to wear away at the seal, saturating the asphalt underneath. Over time, this may cause cracks and potholes.

Whether you need pothole repairs or want to repave your driveway to prevent them, call Double Diamond Contracting, Inc. around the Flathead Valley, MT. Their insured and licensed technicians can restore the condition of asphalt surfaces through sealcoating, snow removal, industrial paving, and other services to protect your lot from water, temperature shifts, UV rays, and other elements. Visit their website to learn more about what they do, or call (406) 755-8853 for a free estimate.