How to Repair Potholes in Winter?

Potholes are depressions in the road surface (particularly asphalt roads), caused by moisture in the underlying soil and traffic passing over the affected area. Water weakens the underlying soil and when traffic passes through the affected area, the asphalt surface breaks and cracks. The continuous movement of traffic results in the ejection of both asphalt and the underlying soil material, creating a hole in the pavement. 

Pothole impact can dislodge your vehicle’s wheel weights, damage tires or break suspension components. They can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of accidents. Therefore, it is essential to carry out regular inspections and fix potholes immediately to ensure your road is in good condition.

Curtis Paving offers both residential and commercial pothole repairs in Vancouver. We can help in the installation, repair and removal of asphalt paving. With over 36 years of experience in the industry, our experts are dedicated to providing hassle-free and timely services.

Why is it Difficult to Fix Potholes in Winter?

Snow, ice and water naturally collect in potholes during winter, making it difficult to fix them. It is necessary for the pavement to remain dry for the asphalt mixture to form a solid, permanent bond. A cold patch is usually used as a temporary solution to fix potholes in winter. It is a pre-prepared mix that is ready to pour into a pothole to prevent tires from falling into the hole. It is essential to make sure that the patch adheres to the edges of the road to stop moisture from entering the pavement. If moisture remains in the hole even after repair, it can freeze and expand, causing damage to the pavement again.

Cold patches are effective only if they are cured properly. In winter, there is not enough time for the cold patch asphalt to harden. If the patch does not adhere properly, one round of rainfall or snow can wash it away. Bigger potholes make the task even more challenging. The patches have a tendency to pop out if the weather outside is too cold. Tires can also stick to a new patch and pull it out of the pothole completely. The cold patch itself must be repaired several times during winter as the patch will last only a few days.

Why is it Better to Carry Out Pothole Repairs Before Winter?

It is better to repair your roads properly before the start of winter to prevent the formation of potholes. Here are a few techniques used:

• Hot Patching

Although hot patching is a more expensive procedure compared to cold patching, it lasts longer. It is necessary to excavate the entire damaged part of the road before pouring a hot patch. The patch materials are mixed and heated before being poured. Hence, the mix is commonly known as hot mix asphalt or HMA. This mix offers better bonding with the edges and adheres to the excavated section much more permanently.

• Crack Sealing

Crack sealing procedures should be carried out as soon as cracks start to appear. This prevents water from entering the base and subbase.
Whether you are looking for pothole repairs, residential driveway paving or commercial paving, Curtis Paving can help you. We also provide snow removal and salting services for school districts, commercial customers and municipalities. We offer unique and innovative asphalt ideas to our customers to enhance the appearance and value of their property.

Read our blog - How Paving Your Parking Lot Will Improve the Property Value - to learn how to increase the curb appeal of your property.

Contact us today for more information.