What Causes Potholes and Why Fix Them

Potholes are common and we’ve all hit one that we didn’t even see. We’ve all swerved to avoid one at some point. Having them in your parking lot can be dangerous and it’s important to have them fixed. But what causes them in the first place? Let’s take a look.

Water & Traffic

The process that will eventually create a pothole is simple and it’s hard to prevent it from happening. Moisture from rain or melting ice and snow seeps into the ground beneath the asphalt through cracks. These cracks can be small and you may not notice them at first.

As this moisture builds up under the asphalt, the temperature begins to affect it as well. Freezing temperatures or excessive heat can cause the expansion and contraction of the soil. This forces the cracks to get bigger and let in even more moisture, compounding the problem.

Then, as the ground erodes under the asphalt it cracks further and eventually, it can’t support the traffic above. It begins to create a deeper and deeper hole that we call a pothole.

The Immediate Dangers

Hitting a pothole that you didn’t see can do some serious damage to your vehicle. And if it causes you to react, it can cause an accident and property damage as well. Many drivers immediately swerve to avoid a pothole if they notice one, which doesn’t help either. If the pothole is on your property and results in damages, you might be responsible.

Not fixing potholes can also make the asphalt damage worse over time as the ground continues to erode. By having them repaired, you can prevent further damage to your parking lot as well as personal or property damage caused by an accident. To schedule an inspection of the potholes in your parking lot, contact our team today at (888) 681-9355.