Anyone who has driven in places that experience winter has suffered the car-damaging nuisances that are potholes. But whether you’ve just dealt with vehicle damage from a car-eating crater or you’re surveying the potholes on your property and planning fixes, you might be wondering just what causes these nuisances. Is there any way to prevent them? And how can they be fixed?

Luckily, we have the answers to just those questions. Keep reading to learn more.

What Causes Potholes?

Potholes have three main ingredients: water, cold, and time. A pothole typically starts with water seeping into the ground underneath the pavement. When temperatures drop - either long-term for an entire winter or sporadically through the colder months - the water freezes. Frozen water expands, pushing the ground upward and the pavement with it. Then, when the water melts, the ground subsides - but the pavement doesn’t. As time and cars pass over the raised pavement, it weakens, eventually cracking and falling into the hollow in the ground left behind by the frozen earth. The result is a pothole.

Can Potholes Be Prevented?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent potholes - unless you count moving to a perpetually warm and sunny location. (Even if you do that, you’re not preventing potholes. You’re just ensuring they’re never your problem.) While keeping your pavement in good repair can mitigate the issue, it won’t stop potholes from forming entirely. Your best option is to closely monitor your pavement for potholes and call a reputable professional for pothole patching as soon as you spot an issue.

Who Should Be Called for Pothole Patching?

If you live in Burlington, NC and spot potholes in your business’s parking lot, your home’s driveway, or the roads you oversee, turn to Alamance Paving Co. We’ve proudly served Alamance County for decades, giving us ample experience in pothole patching and other forms of pavement repair. Rest assured that we’ll arrive at your location, analyze the issue, and swiftly provide a solution that leaves your pavement smooth and safe for drivers.

When you see potholes, don’t wait for them to get worse. Call Alamance Paving Co. for pothole patching right away. We look forward to serving you!