How to Fill a Pothole

 

Filling a pothole is a quick and easy way to repair damage to your asphalt driveway or parking lot. Asphalt sealcoating is an important part of maintaining the appearance and longevity of your asphalt pavement. Contact Florida Sealcoating today to request a free estimate.

What is a Pothole?

A pothole is a depression in the surface of the pavement that can range in size from a few inches to several feet. Potholes are caused by water seeping into cracks in the pavement and then freezing and expanding during cold weather, causing the cracks to widen and the pavement to break apart. Over time, traffic passing over these areas will cause the edges of the pothole to crumble, making it larger and deeper.

 

How to Fill a Pothole?

1. Clean out the pothole.
   Use a shovel to remove any loose debris from the pothole, such as dirt, gravel, or broken pieces of asphalt. If there is standing water in the pothole, use a bucket or small submersible pump to remove the water. This will make it easier to fill the pothole and will also help the repair material bond better with the sides of the pothole.
    
2. Fill the pothole with cold patch material.
   Cold patch material is available at most hardware stores and home improvement centers. It comes in bags or buckets and is usually labeled "asphalt cold patch" or "asphalt repair." Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing and applying the cold patch material.
    
3. Compact the cold patch material.
   Use a hand tamper, gas-powered plate compactor, or water-filled roller to compact the cold patch material so that it is level with the surrounding pavement surface. Once compacted, your pothole should be filled flush with the surrounding surface and ready for traffic!
    
4. Repeat as necessary.
   Potholes may reappear after being filled if they are not properly repaired. Patching a pothole is only a temporary solution; for a permanent fix, you may need to consult with a professional paving contractor to have your entire driveway or parking lot resurfaced.

 

Conclusion

Filling a pothole is a quick and easy way to repair damage to your asphalt driveway or parking lot. Asphalt sealcoating is an important part of maintaining the appearance and longevity of your asphalt pavement. Contact Florida Sealcoating today to request a free estimate for all of your residential or commercial sealcoating needs!