How Potholes Are Formed in Asphalt Driveways and How to Fix Them?
Potholes are asphalt driveway’s worst enemies. As tough and resilient as pavements are, they are still susceptible to damage like potholes and cracks. Both of these can cause early aging and unwanted conditions on driveways. A quality driveway paving company would prepare your driveway in a way that it can stand up to all conditions more efficiently.
However, potholes may be inevitable. Proper maintenance is always required to keep your driveways looking and performing the way you want. Installing the pavement is a critical process and should be given the time and attention it needs. When installed correctly, your asphalt pavement should last more than two decades. So, here’s what you need to know about potholes on driveways:
Why and How Are Potholes Formed in Asphalt Driveways?
- Puddling Water on the Driveway – Water standing on your driveway is the biggest contributor to potholes forming in time. Asphalt driveways have adhesive underlayers that get disrupted as water constantly leaks through. Any indentations that support standing water will be dangerous for the health of your pavement.
- Winter Snow Can Cause the Surface to Come Apart – Similar to water, snow does the same damage. It will do more damage in time as the snow melts slowly and makes water come in contact with the adhesive underlayers. Also, snow can include various foreign materials in it that will get to the underlayers as well.
- Too Much Heat and Direct Sunlight – Asphalt driveways are outdoor structures and surfaces. If you live in a warm region, most likely you cannot do anything about direct sunlight on the surface. However, extreme heat can also break apart the adhesive layers This speeds up the pothole formation process.
- Heavy Vehicles Parked in the Same Spot Often – When heavy vehicles are parked in the same spots on asphalt driveways, cracks can form. These cracks will start to take shape into potholes when left unattended. Parking heavy vehicles at the same spot can also cause surface indentations giving rise to puddling water that will also speed up pothole formation.
- Minor Cracks Left Alone – Minor cracks will start showing up in time on driveways that get used routinely. However, when these are left alone, chunks of rocks coming out may form potholes.
- Not the Right Mix or Materials – When your asphalt driveway gets installed, it is important for the paving installations expertsto select the right hot mix and materials. They should consider all factors including the climate, usage, and the soil condition underneath. If the right materials are not used, potholes will form in a shorter amount of time.
How to Fix Potholes in Asphalt Driveways?
- Cold Mix Asphalt to Patch Potholes – There are different ways to patch potholes and stop the damage from extending. Cold mix is beneficial when temperatures are low. Cold-mix asphalt can also be poured after six months or so of production. Also, the cold mix will stay more flexible due to its extended cure time. The cold mix is produced by mixing bitumen emulsion with cold aggregates. At times, anti-stripping agents can get added in as well. Cold mix materials are temporary fixes and are used when the hot mix isn’t available.
- Hot Mix Asphalt to Patch Potholes – Typical hot mix solutions are applicable when the temperatures are higher. They will cure faster and are more permanent solutions. However, preparing the hot mix requires due diligence and all factors consideration. Hot mix asphalt patching is not much more expensive than cold mix asphalt patching.
Understanding the Pothole Repair Process
Repairing potholes is a comprehensive process. Also, it will guarantee proper binding up of the loose material on the surface. The process includes these steps:
- Clean the Pothole Properly – Start by cleaning the pothole from any loose debris, dirt, or any foreign materials. Anything that can make its way to the underlayers needs to be removed. Broken pieces of pavement don’t mix well with new materials and can weaken the repair.
- Heat the Pothole – Next, the pothole needs to be heated. Doing this will also remove excess moisture from the surrounding area while softening up the area for the new asphalt as well. Once softened, the pothole can also be reshaped to an extent.
- Pour in the New Asphalt – Usually, hot mix asphalt patching is done for permanent solutions. Here, the hot mix will be poured into the prepped area. The asphalt needs to be compacted to reduce water penetration and make it more durable. Also, the compaction process creates a bond between the old surface and the newly poured asphalt.
- Allow the New Asphalt to Cool and Set – All excessive material is removed around the repair area. Sometimes needs to be allowed for the new asphalt to be set properly. Usually, the driveway will be usable in an hour or two.
Disadvantages of Potholes on Asphalt Driveways
- Safety Concerns – As potholes grow in size and become deeper, they will become slip-and-trip hazards for people. For commercial driveways, this can be a lawsuit waiting to happen.
- Compromised Aesthetics – Potholes completely destroy the look and feel of your asphalt driveway. They look untidy and can take away the elegance and neatness from the surface.
- Reduced Age of the Driveway – Potholes will continue to grow in size as more attached rocks keep coming loose. They will eventually destroy the whole surface when left unattended.
- Tire Life Decreases – Usually, a good asphalt pavement should last more than two decades. However, potholes can bring that lifespan down drastically to even half that number.
Conclusion
Asphalt driveways are durable structures and surfaces. However, even the toughest ones will sustain damage over time. Potholes are common adversaries for asphalt pavements. These need to be fixed as soon as the earliest signs get picked up. Leaving potholes alone will only worsen the problem giving rise to more expensive fixes. When left unattended, potholes will cause the entire surface to come apart, and you’ll need to get the whole thing redone. Pothole patching is a much more economical and quicker process and can extend the life of your driveway by many years. A good contractor will provide the service making your driveway look neat again.
