How to Keep Your Property Pothole Free This Year

As the winter comes heading our way,  you will soon begin to notice an increasing number of cracks and potholes in your asphalt driveway, work parking lot, and local roads and highways. But why? The asphalt experts at Roccie's Paving weigh in...

Asphalt is a durable material, but it is not invincible. Asphalt's biggest enemies include ultraviolet rays, gas and oil spills, and above all else – water. As we begin to head towards the winter months, moisture from rain and melting snow penetrates the surface of asphalt, seeping deep into its base. As the winter begins to pass, and the temperature drops, and the water freezes, causing it to expand.

This freeze-thaw cycle continues throughout the spring, and the pressure from the freezing water eventually creates cracks in the asphalt under the surface. As the freezing and thawing continues, more and more water seeps into the base of the asphalt, and the underground cracks continue to grow.

Eventually, this pressure reaches the surface of the asphalt, where some sections are forced up – this is the start of a pothole. As vehicles drive over the pothole, pressure is put on the edges, which causes them to crumble and break away, thus enlarging the pothole.

Potholes are very common, but they are not completely unavoidable. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind if you want to prevent potholes from forming in your driveway:

• Have your driveway installed by a quality contractor. Errors and shortcuts during the driveway installation process can cause the base to be weaker than it should be, leaving it more susceptible to developing cracks and potholes.
• Remove any excess snow. Keeping your driveway properly shoveled will help ensure that no excess water is seeping through the cracks. 
• Fix any cracks ASAP. A driveway riddled with cracks is a perfect spot for water to collect and freeze, and once it does, the cracks worsen and eventually lead to potholes.
• Sealcoat your driveway every few years. Sealcoating adds an extra layer of defense to the surface of your asphalt driveway, and helps prevent water from infiltrating the base.

Small potholes can be sealed using a cold asphalt patch, but if your driveway is riddled with them, it might be best to consider a resurfacing or a complete repaving. If you live in Fairfield County, CT or Westchester County, NY, trust Roccie's Asphalt for all of your paving needs. Visit our website to learn more about us, or call for a free estimate at 888-88-ROCCIES.