Potholes crop up on just about every paved surface. Even with pothole repair, they remain a ubiquitous feature on roadways, parking lots and driveways. Not only are they an eyesore; they also add wear and tear to your vehicle and can make driving hazardous. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about potholes.

4 FAQ About Potholes

1. How are potholes formed?

Potholes are what you get when the pavement breaks because of compromised road foundations. Sometimes, heavy traffic or vehicles passing through roads not equipped to handle substantial loads cause cracks to develop. When water seeps into these fissures, the foundation of the pavement can erode, causing the surface to sink. The freezing and thawing of water in the cracks can also displace road materials when the water expands and contracts.

2. How are potholes fixed?

A pothole repair crew will make sure that all the dirt and other loose materials are taken out of the hole. Sometimes, they carve out the pothole first, then make a rectangular pit before removing all the debris. Afterward, they proceed to fill the hole with hot or cold asphalt, depending on the season. A specialized adhesive is used to bond the new asphalt to the adjacent pavement, forming a patch.

3. Can potholes be prevented?

Although there’s no absolute way to prevent potholes from forming, emerging technologies are continuously developing techniques to fight these dangerous nuisances. For instance, newer roads are designed to minimize moisture capacity, so that water won’t keep getting into the pavement. Researchers are also coming up with more durable pavement aggregates. In some states, data analytics are being used to study trends and algorithms to predict where potholes are expected to form.

4. Who’s responsible for filling potholes?

Cities and towns are generally responsible for taking care of major roads in the state. However, you can hire a private pothole repair company if you need a parking lot or driveway repair services.

 

 

Let UsealUSA™ in Bloomfield, CT, deal with your potholes. They’re a leading provider of innovative products used for pothole repair, driveway sealing, and crack filling.  Call (860) 324-6015 today to learn about their products, or find out more on their website.