How to Navigate Potholes: Tips for Smooth Travels on Bumpy Roads

Potholes – A Brief History

The term “pothole” has been around for a long time, dating all the way back to the 15^th and 16^th centuries! During this period, potters would dig holes in roads after a rainstorm to find clay for their wares. This would leave larger holes in the road that wagons or carriages would hit while in transit. People referred to these holes as “potholes” since they were holes created by potters. Even though we do not have potters in the streets digging up asphalt to find clay today, we do have rough Wisconsin winters which can create potholes and wreak havoc on our streets and parking lots.

How Potholes Are Formed

Potholes are created by the expansion and contraction of water during freeze-and-thaw cycles. During the winter the water saturating the ground freezes, causing the water to expand underneath asphalt pavement. Once the weather starts to warm up and the ice thaws, the ground contracts and parts of the asphalt pavement no longer have a strong foundational support. This causes aggressive cracking and a weakening of the asphalt where chunks of the pavement break off into the empty space below. Because our winters are so volatile, this freeze-and-thaw cycle can happen under the pavement many times which wears down the asphalt and creates tears in the surface of the asphalt. Potholes form faster in higher traffic areas due to the stress of traffic and the thaw cycle combined.

Understanding the Hazards of Potholes

When potholes go unrepaired it can cause major issues for drivers and pedestrians. Potholes can cause tire blowouts, wheel damage, and even cause misalignment of your steering system. Larger potholes can even cause major accidents from drivers attempting to swerve to avoid the hole in the road and either losing control, or hitting another car or even worse, a person. This is even more dangerous for bicyclists! Because bikes have thin tires and such light frames, hitting even a small pothole can lead to loss of control and create significant impact injuries if the cyclist is thrown off their bike.

Curb Appeal & Liability

Once you notice a pothole, it is important to repair it as soon as possible. If left unaddressed, it will continue to grow based on the weather conditions and traffic volume. This creates a dangerous hazard for vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians, but they also hurt your property value and increase your liability for personal or property damage. If you own a commercial parking lot, customers and clients are more likely to judge your business based on how your parking lot looks. If they happen to damage their car or get injured, you’ve not only lost a customer or tenant, but you may also be facing financial restitution, leading to increased insurance rates. The benefits of curb appeal go beyond aesthetics, helping pedestrians and customers feel safe while driving or walking through a commercial area.

The Johnson and Sons Solution for Potholes

Asphalt patching addresses localized areas of wear and tear on expansive asphalt surfaces such as parking lots. Common issues like surface webbing and minor cracks can be fixed by removing, refilling, and compacting the asphalt pavement using one of these three cost-effective methods.

How We Prevent Potholes

While we offer solutions to effectively repair potholes, we also actively work to prevent them from happening when we lay fresh asphalt for any project. Sealcoating and crack filling help maintain the integrity of asphalt surfaces and minimize the risk of pothole formation.

Johnson and Sons Paving can repair any pothole you have. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote where we will inspect your pavement and provide paving options that fit your budget and your needs. While potholes have been pestering us since the 15^th century, we have the equipment, in-house asphalt mix, and skilled crews to fix and prevent them! Contact us to get started!