THE AVERAGE COST OF PREVENTING AND FIXING POTHOLES IN 2020

Pothole repair can be quite frustrating but it doesn’t have to be. By being proactive and fixing asphalt cracks, you can prevent potholes from occurring in the first place. However, if you need to fix potholes in the area where you live, there are professional options you can use. In this article, we’ll go over the basics behind how potholes are made and what the average cost of preventing and fixing potholes is in 2020.

How Potholes Are Made

Understanding how potholes are formed in the first place is one key to preventing them in the future. They are caused by the expansion and contraction of groundwater that is located underneath the pavement and can begin to form during the winter season thanks to the expansion of this groundwater that freezes as a result of the cooler temperatures. This expansion underneath the pavement causes cracks in the asphalt. Over time, as more cars and trucks pass over this area, the concrete material continues to weaken. This forms a hole that can trap melted water. This melted water can then freeze again and begin a cycle that leads to the expansion of the now formed pothole.

Pothole Fixing Costs

If this cycle has had enough time to repeat over and over and over again, you might find yourself face to face with a major problem, be it on your driveway, sidewalk, or roadway in front of your home. Especially with the winter here and cooler temperatures upon us, that groundwater has had time to freeze over and produce cracks in the pavement. The amount you pay depends heavily on the severity of the pothole which is why it is important to take notice of and fix asphalt cracks early on.

But going back to the matter at hand, the cost to fix pothole in 2020 will typically be around $100 to $350. Additional asphalt sealing costs can range from $200 to $600 and, again, depends on the severity of the pothole. Because fixing a pothole in freezing conditions, it is not for the faint of heart. Your best bet is to hire a trained professional that has experience with a wide range of pothole and asphalt crack issues. In addition to how large the pothole is that you are looking to fix, the quality of the materials, the slope of the pothole, and piping that needs to be taken into consideration and worked around can factor into raising costs.

Taking Preventative Measures

As we mentioned, pothole repair is not easy and you will be dejected after you find out that you’ve incorrectly filled the pothole with the wrong amount of concrete. However, by taking stock of your current driveway’s wellbeing, you can prevent potholes from occurring in the first place by dealing with those initial cracks. Even better, try finding the source of groundwater leakage and prevent it from freezing underneath the pavement. Some other precautionary measures you can take include repairing the crack as soon as possible with infill and overbanding to prevent water from entering the pavement and softening the material. Overbanding uses a thermoplastic material to stop water from entering the roadway surface and is ideal for high traffic areas.

Top Five Reasons To Repair The Potholes In Your Parking Lot

Small business owners have a lot of weight on their shoulders. They always have to watch for the angles to increase revenue. They have to manage staff, customers, vendors, and government regulators.

Cutting costs is always on the menu, but only in a way that does not reduce customer satisfaction. On top of all this, they must keep the concrete parking lots and buildings in good condition. As a manager or business owner, you probably understand this balancing act.

Here are five reasons you might want to prioritize repairing the potholes in your parking lot.

Managing The First Impression

For the customers who don’t find you on the internet, the parking lot is part of their first impression. People driving by watch your building and parking lot for signs of prosperity. Potential customers begin judging the experience the moment they drive onto your property.

Maintaining a smooth parking lot is as necessary to customer experience as keeping the floors clean. You wouldn’t let your customers wade through piles of trash, would you?

Disrepair Only Gets Worse

Not spending $50 today can often cost you $100 tomorrow. It can be true in health care and car maintenance, and it is true with parking lots.

If you don’t fix the potholes now, they will only get bigger with time. Eventually, they will get so bad that you will have to replace the entire parking lot. Fixing the damage at your first opportunity will save you money in the long run.

Avoiding Lawsuits for Damage

Most tires can roll over very small potholes without a problem. But consistent car traffic contributes to the severity of the broken concrete. Rain, snow, salt, and extreme heat can also combine to do additional damage. Before long, the dent is large enough for tires to physically fall inside.

That places your business at risk for angry customers with damaged rims and tires. The last thing you need is more expenses.

Avoiding Lawsuits for Injury

It is true that a pothole can often grow for a while before it is large enough to damage a car. But your customers and employees can trip over holes a lot smaller. Every time someone stumbles they risk serious injury.

Your enterprise is required to provide a certain level of safety for visitors. Bodily harm due to uneven, broken pavement can damage your reputation and cost your business money.

The Weather Is Right

Weather extremes can be a big problem for your concrete. The summer heat causes your concrete to expand and buckle. This buckling effect is one cause of initial lot damage. Cracks often form where the concrete is unable to expand further.

Winter’s cold weather can have the opposite impact, although not to the same extent. Winter also adds salt and water erosion, which can make the holes worse.

Autumn is the perfect time to repair damaged concrete. The weather is more moderate, giving the ground time to settle.

It Makes Good Business Sense

Why take the risk of causing injuries or damaging equipment? Why wait until small holes in the pavement become huge eyesores? You owe it to your investment to keep your property in the best condition. Contact a concrete repair specialist today, while the problem is still manageable.