Repairing a pothole before it gets bad can protect not only motorists, but also pedestrians.
Potholes are one of the main problems Tucker Paving sees that lead to asphalt repair jobs. Potholes can form in roadways, parking lots, driveways, and more. They can wreak havoc on your vehicle, and they can also present a liability for business owners. Learn what causes potholes, the damage they can cause, and why fixing potholes early is so important.
Formation of Potholes in Asphalt
Potholes form when a section of asphalt paving has broken away or deteriorated, leaving a hole in the asphalt pavement. These holes generally start out as cracks. Water gets in the cracks and causes more damage, both on the surface and subsurface.
Each vehicle that drives over the degraded area causes the asphalt to deteriorate further and break away. Eventually, a hole will form that will continue to get bigger with every rainstorm and each vehicle that passes over it. Without prompt and proper attention, little potholes turn into big potholes that create a serious hazard to vehicles and pedestrians.
The Costs of Pothole Damage
Potholes can pose a real threat to both motorists and pedestrians alike. For those walking near potholes, the uneven walking surface invites falls and other injuries. For motorists, potholes can damage a vehicle’s tires, wheels, suspension, shocks, and more. According to a study done by AAA in 2016, the average repair cost for pothole damage to a vehicle is $300. Potholes also pose a hazard when drivers swerve outside their lanes to avoid potholes.
For business owners, potholes can be a liability issue if they cause personal or property damage. For the safety and well-being of everyone, fixing potholes in the early stages—or even when they are just cracks in the asphalt—is critical. Just like “a stitch in time saves nine,” fixing potholes in the early stages saves time, labor, and money.
At Tucker Paving, we’ve tackled asphalt paving projects big and small. Contact us today online or call 863-299-2262 for asphalt paving services from patching potholes and cracks to paving entire parking lots and roadways.