Are you a property owner of an asphalt driveway?

If YES, you’re most probably aware with the trouble of getting potholes in the driveway. While you might ignore getting them repaired, it’s not something that will be cost effective in the long run.

Repair bills due to potholes can cost even more than $1000 to motorists. Additionally, there’s also a risk of losing control of the car which could potentially lead to fatal accidents.

Furthermore, if you’ve got “BIG POTHOLES” in your asphalt driveway, it also damages the look of your property. So, it should be your top priority to fix these potholes as soon as they appear. Leaving them usually results in a wider damage area that will eventually cost you even more to FIX.

Let’s jump to the next section to know how these potholes form and what prevention you can do to conquer these situations.

How Do Potholes Form?

Well, it’s a natural phenomenon beyond your control. So, while asphalt is a durable material, potholes emerge with time. You see it’s an inevitable outcome as long as there is changing weather conditions and traffic.

Let’s explain to you how both of these go hand in hand in an asphalt pothole damage.

Areas with high moisture and traffic are most susceptible to pothole damage. When Asphalt Contractors build driveways, they usually make the top layer water resistant. However, the changing temperatures can easily lead to cracks and asphalt cracks are the starting point for pothole damage.

The variations in temperature lead to expansion and contraction of asphalt.

During the day, the asphalt generally expands due to heat. Whereas, when the temperature cools down during the night, the asphalt contracts. This repeated cycle of expansion and contraction eventually lead to cracks in the asphalt surface. As a result, water can easily seep through these cracks without any resistance.

During winters, this is a bigger problem as water from snow-melt can easily seep through these cracks. And, as the nighttime temperatures during winters get cold, this water can freeze inside the surface. When the ice does melt, the asphalt pavement contracts and that leaves gaps under the surface. Eventually, due to the pressure from heavy traffic these gaps widen even further.

As this process continues, the pavement surface weakens and start developing large cracks. These cracks widen with time to develop into POTHOLES.

So…

Can a Pothole Damage Your Car?

Well, yes definitely.

Continuous traffic on weakened asphalt spots disintegrate the asphalt surface until the broken down material starts getting stuck in tires. There’s also a risk of blown tires or even damaging car’s suspension.

Let’s check out a few of the damage costs you can expect due to potholes:

• Tire Replacement (approx. $250)
• Wheel Alignment (approx. $300)
• Bent Wheel (approx. $400)

The Consequences of Ignoring a Pothole Damage

Not getting a pothole fixed costs you even more in the long run than the small repairs.

Most importantly, if you own a business and have regular customer traffic, fixing potholes is a sensible decision. In case a customer gets injured or their vehicle gets damaged, you may have to incur extra claims. Further, it can severely damage the reputation of your business.

This is the reason it’s imperative to fix the asphalt surface as soon as cracks start appearing in it.

However, many people think of taking up the repair job in their own hands.

While it’s not such a bad idea for a small homeowner, a business establishment is better off hiring a professional for the job.

The Risks Associated with DIY Pothole Repair

Well, tackling the repair work on your own can save money. However, professional contractors usually have a better idea on Pothole Repair Best Practices. Also, as a homeowner, you may not be knowledgeable about Asphalt Pothole Repair Machines.

Typically, these are some of the mistakes you may end up committing without a professional’s guidance:

• Not cleaning out the hole thoroughly before starting filling of the pothole
• Using a cold asphalt patch when the damage requires a hot patch
• Not compacting the asphalt enough

So, you may end up wasting your precious time and money in your little repair project.

Since you can easily hire a professional for the job, it’s better to consult one before going the DIY route.

Thus, hiring a professional to repair asphalt cracks will solve the problem of reoccurring potholes in your property.

How Do You Prevent and Repair a Pothole?

You can easily prevent potholes by addressing the issue early on. Regular inspection of the asphalt surface to check for any damage is a good way to ensure the integrity of your driveway.

Get in touch with a professional asphalt repair company right away when you notice a crack in the asphalt surface.

#1: Crack Filling and Crack Sealing are cost-effective options to fix the deteriorating asphalt surface. As you already know, water under the asphalt surface can exaggerate the damage and widen the small cracks even further.

But these methods prevent water and other foreign objects from entering into cracks. This helps in maintaining the strength of asphalt surface for a long time.

#2: Asphalt Overlay is yet another effective option to prevent potholes. Under this method, asphalt engineers overlay the existing driveway surface with an asphalt overlay.

This acts as a sealant and strengthen the surface. Moreover, it lessens the chances of water getting under the surface layer.

#3: Infrared Asphalt Patching is another method that uses infrared rays to patch the area affected by potholes. First, the affected area is softened with the use of infrared rays.

Later, it’s removed and the required aggregate mixture is replaced. Finally, Pothole Repair Contractors use infrared to dry up the asphalt layer.

#4: Pothole Spray Patching restores the underlying structural strength of the asphalt driveway. It’s a long lasting asphalt patching methods. Plus, it’s an effective method to repair cracks that are too large for asphalt crack sealing.

This method is also useful in repairing areas that are raveling. The repair process makes use of hot asphalt emulsion and crushed aggregate. Further, it’s a versatile method suitable in all weather conditions.

How Repairing Asphalt Cracks Prevents Pothole Damage?

Repairing early signs of asphalt damage addresses the root problem which prohibits it from developing any further.

Sealing the asphalt surface takes care of any cracks or small damage. This prevents water from getting under the surface.

Without the presence of water under the layer, the asphalt remains intact. This further maintains the strength of the asphalt surface and reduces the chance of any more damage.

How Long Does It Take to Repair a Pothole?

Asphalt Pothole Repair duration depends on the weather conditions and the location of damage. For instance, frigid temperatures and precipitation can prevent the crew from performing the repairs.

Plus, time required for repairs usually rise during winter months.

How Long Do Pothole Repairs Last?

This depends on many factors actually, including the material used for repair and the traffic volume. Depending on these factors, repairs may last for weeks, months, or even more. If the material used by the contractor is high-performing even in colder climate, then it will last for a fairly good time.

How Much Does Pothole Repairs Cost?

You can determine asphalt pothole cost only after consulting with your asphalt contractor. They usually asses the area of damage, inspect the size and depth of potholes. After that, they decide on the best method to repair the pothole damage.

So, the major factors in determining average cost of potholes include:

• Labor costs of getting the crew and machines out to the site
• The materials used for repair work
• Number and size of potholes

Well, in any case, the total repair costs will always be more affordable than the damage costs due to potholes.

For example, vehicle damage and personal injuries are quite common in the areas with potholes. And the amount you’ll pay for these will always be more than the repairs.

Especially, if you have a commercial establishment and your customer falls, you may have to incur legal charges. So, getting potholes fixed as soon as they arise should be your utmost priority.

So, this was all about preventing and fixing pothole damage.

Hopefully, now you’ve a better idea on why getting potholes repaired is important for a property owner.

Fed Up With Your Pothole Damaged Driveway or Pavement?

Contact Main Infrastructure!!

Main Infrastructure is Toronto’s #1 Asphalt Repair Company offering innovative and reliable construction services. We use a variety of  asphalt patching techniques to ensure you get the best services for your investment.

We use high quality materials to patch and repair any kind of asphalt damage. Moreover, we’ve a team of certified technicians who are fully trained to offer guidance on your asphalt repair projects.

We, at Main Infrastructure, believe in offering most affordable and top quality asphalt repairs without compromising on the aesthetics.

Our wide range of asphalt repair services include:

• Infrared Asphalt Patching
• Pothole Spray Patching
• Asphalt Crack Sealing
• Asphalt Paving
• Manhole/Catch Basin Repair
• Vacuum/Hydrovac
• Sweeping Services
• Pavement Management Planning

Our experts are always ready to assist you with all kinds of Toronto Pothole Repair issues.

Get in touch with our representatives today for fixing your asphalt driveway.

Call Us: +1 (416) 514 0809

The post What Is The Average Cost Of Fixing “POTHOLES” In 2020 appeared first on Main Infrastructure Blog.