How Potholes Develop
Potholes often begin when water enters cracks or weak areas in the asphalt surface.
As the pavement and material beneath it are exposed to moisture, traffic and changing temperatures, small damaged areas can begin to break apart.
Once pieces of asphalt loosen, vehicle traffic can enlarge the damaged area and create the familiar pothole shape.
Water & Drainage Problems
Poor drainage can contribute to repeated pavement failures.
If water consistently collects in the same low area, or reaches unstable material beneath the asphalt, simply placing new asphalt over the top may not solve the problem.
The surrounding grade, ditches, shoulders, catch basins or culverts may need to be considered as part of the repair.
When Asphalt Patching Works
Patching can be effective when the damaged area is localized and the surrounding pavement remains stable.
A proper repair generally involves removing loose or failed material, preparing the repair area and placing new asphalt that can be compacted against sound pavement.
When the Base Needs Repair
Some potholes are only the surface symptom of a deeper problem.
If the base beneath the asphalt is soft, saturated or unstable, the damaged material may need to be removed and the base rebuilt before asphalt is replaced.
Ignoring a failed base can lead to the same pothole returning after a surface-only repair.
Driveway Potholes
Residential and acreage driveways can develop potholes near entrances, turning areas, garage approaches, drainage paths or heavily travelled sections.
The best repair method depends on the size of the damaged area, the condition of the surrounding asphalt and whether the base remains stable.
Commercial Parking Lot Potholes
Commercial lots can experience additional loading from delivery trucks, turning vehicles and repeated traffic.
Potholes can create vehicle hazards, trip concerns and ongoing pavement deterioration if water continues entering the damaged area.
Early repairs can help prevent a relatively small failure from becoming a much larger patch.
Repair vs. Replacement
A pothole does not automatically mean an entire driveway or parking lot needs replacement.
If the surrounding asphalt and base remain in reasonable condition, localized patching may be sufficient.
Where there is widespread cracking, settlement, base failure or extensive surface breakup, larger repairs or reconstruction may be more appropriate.
Crax Asphalt provides pothole repair, asphalt patching, driveway repair and commercial pavement maintenance throughout Salmon Arm and the Shuswap.
Shuswap Phone: 250-253-2859
Shuswap Pothole Repair Service Area
Our BC service area includes Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Enderby, Mabel Lake, Grindrod, Tappen, Blind Bay, Eagle Bay, Sorrento, Scotch Creek, Sunnybrae, Canoe and North Shuswap.