The Truth About Potholes In Michigan
Potholes in Michigan are somewhat unavoidable because of our fluctuating temperatures and brutal winters. However, potholes can be managed through proper initial construction and routine maintenance.
How Do Potholes Form?
Potholes occur when the pavement or sub-base beneath the asphalt cannot support the weight of traffic. This is true whether the pavement is an asphalt parking lot or an asphalt roadway. Although weight and traffic flow play a role in creating a pothole, the main culprit is moisture. Any time there are cracks in the surface, water has access to the sub-base. Moisture allowed to penetrate the surface layer of asphalt will weaken the sub-base and cause significant damage.
When temperatures drop, the sub-base expands when the moisture freezes, pushing the pavement to the surface. When the temperature rises the sub-base thaws and contracts.
After enough freeze-thaw cycles occur a gap is created between the asphalt pavement and the sub-base. Constant traffic flow will crack the surface and eventually break the pavement, creating a pothole. The longer a pothole is left untreated, the more extensive and expensive the damage will be. It is cost-effective to repair potholes as soon as they occur.
Call Superior Asphalt, Inc. For Pothole Repair
Superior Asphalt, Inc. has spent 40 years perfecting custom hot-mix asphalt materials that are specifically formulated for pothole repair in Michigan and are available 12 months a year. When we pave during the summer months we collect and store millings and any unused quantities of our specially formulated hot mix asphalt. During the winter months, we recycle this material to make a one-of-a-kind, winter hot mix asphalt that we make available to our customers as a pothole repair alternative to the traditional cold patch. If our winter hot mix is not an option, we offer a durable cold patch material. Our cold patch is designed to meet our high standards of workability and durability.
