Best pothole repair methods for your pavement

Potholes are a major problem for roads, and you're probably familiar with the frustrating experience of hitting them unexpectedly. They seem to appear out of nowhere, leaving you with no time to react.

Emergency repairs are often conducted amidst congested traffic, which poses a safety hazard to maintenance workers. On the other hand, repairs that provide a more lasting solution can be arranged for periods when weather conditions and traffic allow for safer execution.

Now, repairing a pothole can be a straightforward or complex task, depending on the chosen method. Sometimes, all you need to do is fill the pothole with a mixture and compact it with a shovel. Other times, you may need to completely remove the damaged pavement and replace it with a new one.

To fix potholes, you'll need asphaltic patch materials, which consist of aggregate and a binder. The binder can be either hot or cold, with cold mix asphalt being more commonly used.

Let’s explore the following techniques for repairing potholes.

1) Hot-Patch Semi-Permanent

The hot-patch semi-permanent method includes clearing water and debris from the pothole, squaring up the patch area, and applying tack oil. A heated asphalt mix is then placed and compacted using a vibratory device, creating a slight crown to aid in water dispersal. This technique is usually scheduled during favourable traffic and weather conditions due to the increased labour and equipment required. Despite higher operating costs, hot-patch repairs are considered one of the best methods as they significantly enhance patch performance.

2) Cold-Patch (Throw-and-roll)

This approach involves placing patching material into the pothole and attempting to compact it if possible. It is considered superior to the throw-and-go method, which does not involve compacting the materials before leaving. While it offers a quick and expedient solution, it is only suitable as a temporary fix in situations where more permanent repairs are not feasible due to traffic, weather, or pavement conditions.

3) Spray-Injection Devices

Using spray-injection devices, water and debris are blown out of the pothole, and a tack coat of binder is applied to the sides and bottom. Asphalt and aggregate are then blown into the pothole, followed by another layer of aggregate. While spray-injection devices have higher equipment costs, they offer greater productivity and use less expensive materials. They are faster than hot-patch repairs but are less durable and more suitable for shallower potholes. However, the material is not compacted, nor is the underlying base material corrected before filling.

4) Edge Seal as Follow-up

After completing the primary repair, a second pass is made using the throw-and-roll method. A strip of asphaltic tack material is applied to the edges of the patch and the surrounding pavement surfaces. To prevent tyre tracking, a layer of sand is added on top. Though this additional step requires extra effort, it significantly improves patch performance, especially on older pavements with multiple cracks. The technique allows the section of road to be reopened to traffic immediately.

Repairing severe potholes

For severely distressed spots that are wider or significantly deeper, base repairs may be necessary at a later stage. These repairs involve removing the affected area down to solid pavement or base and placing new material. In certain cases, under-drains may be implemented to redirect water away from the base and soil.

Our recommendation

We believe that before you do any maintenance or rehabilitation work, you should first scan your roads to correctly identify and rate the severity of the defects. The ARAN LCMS is a laser profilometer that can automatically extract crack data, including crack type, and severity. The high resolution of the LCMS means it can automatically detect ruts (depth and type), macrotexture and ravelling. Click here to download a free technical brochure.

Alternatively, feel free to contact our pavement consultants to get a tailored solution for your organisation. Get in touch today!

The ARAN LCMS in action

Conclusion

Potholes present a significant challenge for road infrastructure, causing inconvenience and frustration for drivers. The repair process for potholes can range from simple to complex, depending on the chosen method. By utilising asphaltic patch materials, including hot or cold binder and aggregate, effective repairs can be achieved. Whether it involves a quick fill-and-compact approach or a more extensive pavement replacement, the goal is to ensure smoother roads and improved driving conditions. With the knowledge of various pothole repair techniques, we can work towards minimising the impact of these road hazards and enhancing our overall transportation experience.