Every driver has run over a pothole that they hoped didn’t cause a costly repair to their vehicle. Not only are they problematic for your vehicle, they can also be a slip or trip hazard to pedestrians that unknowingly pass over them. If your parking lot is pitted with multiple potholes you could be looking at a potential liability.
How Do Potholes Form?
Potholes typically form during the freeze/thaw cycle. As moisture seeps below the surface of your asphalt through unsealed surfaces and cracks, temperatures can drop causing the moisture to freeze and expand. The continual expansion and contraction can cause the surface layer to continually degrade over time, breaking apart the asphalt. Thus, leaving you with divots that can grow infinitely unless addressed.
What are the Warning Signs?
Potholes can mean problems for your parking lot, but how can you tell what’s going on below the surface of your asphalt? At first you may only notice shallow divots that collect water, but the longer these areas are left untreated the more likely they are to continue to degrade over time, allowing for the formation of full fledged potholes. It’s easier to spot problematic areas in spring when there is not a layer of ice and snow blanketing your parking lot.
Repairing Potholes
Repairing potholes should be part of your spring asphalt maintenance routine. Potholes leave the sub layers of your asphalt exposed to further collect water below the surface. Leaving the sublayer exposed can cause the existing pothole to expand and increase the likelihood of additional potholes forming later. Typically, an asphalt patch is required to fix potholes. The deteriorated sections of the paved surface are removed and replaced with new aggregate and sealed to prevent water from getting back in.
How Do You Prevent Potholes?
Preventing potholes from forming in the first place requires routine maintenance and inspection to ensure your surfaces are still shedding water. Sealing your asphalt every 3 to 5 years can help keep water from settling below the surface. Repairing cracks, as well as addressing other issues as they occur, can keep your asphalt surfaces prepared for the changing seasons. Preventive maintenance can go a long way when trying to ensure your surfaces are protected all year long, so make sure you seal your asphalt and repair any damaged areas you come across before the colder temperatures come back around.
Baughman Magic Seal: Spring Maintenance
The longer you leave a pothole unaddressed the more damage can occur, increasing your repair costs. Whether you need your parking lot repaired or you’re trying to prevent potholes from forming by sealing your asphalt surfaces and cracks, Baughman Magic Seal can help. Give us a call to schedule your spring estimate at (716) 836-8880!