No one likes potholes. They are a menace to those walking across a pavement and they cause drivers to swerve trying to avoid them. A pothole is any pavement defect that causes significant noticeable impact on vehicle tires and handling while driving across it. Good parking lot maintenance requires that repairing potholes and blocked drains are a good first step to maintaining the look and operability of a parking lot.
When water and traffic occur at the same time, potholes form in two ways: fatigue failure and raveling failure. Fatigue failure produces the classic potholes, which are typically bowl shaped. Raveling failures occur when traffic and water wear away the adhesive that binds the asphalt materials together – it is most common at cracks or joints of the pavement.
The Army Corps of Engineers identifies the following causes of potholes:
1. Failures at utility trenches and castings on the asphalt surface
2. Poorly installed asphalt
3. Asphalt of insufficient thickness to support the traffic loads
4. Poor drainage leaving water puddles on asphalt pavement
5. Unmaintained and unsealed cracks allowing water intrusion to further damage the pavement
At HMA Contracting Corp. our skilled and experienced asphalt contractors can help you patch potholes and perform regular parking lot maintenance. We will help keep your parking lot looking good and working even better for years to come.
Asphalt Contractors Can Patch and Prevent Potholes
A pothole can be properly patched by:
1. Removing the surface and base
2. Applying a coat of tacking material
3. Placing a full-depth patch of asphalt mix
4. Compacting and finishing to ensure it is level
To improve the durability of any patch, the edges should be sealed to prevent later intrusion of water and debris, which can cause the pothole to reform over and over again. At HMA Contracting Corp. our team has helped many business owners by performing parking lot maintenance, including patching potholes. Sealing your asphalt pavement can work to prevent further damage and extend the life of your parking lot.
Please contact us online or call HMA Contracting Corp. at 518.664.1014 or toll free at 855.664.1014. Our experienced team of asphalt contractors will identify what is causing potholes to form and design a parking lot maintenance schedule that works with your budget. We always give free estimates because we want you to be sure you are getting the best deal for your parking lot maintenance dollars.