Not only are potholes a serious nuisance, but they can also do real damage to vehicles on the road. Because of this, if any of your pavement has potholes, it’s important to get them patched as soon as possible in order to prevent this kind of damage and keep drivers comfortable behind the wheel. Our team at AAA Top Quality Asphalt has extensive experience working on all kinds of paving projects, including pothole patching, and in this article, our experts will be going over the three most common methods used in this process, so you have a better understanding of how it works.
- Throw-and-Go. The first method of pothole patching is known as the “throw-and-go.” In this method, new asphalt is shoveled into the pothole until it’s filled, and the material is then compacted by the pressure of vehicles driving over it. This process is quick and cheap, which makes it the most popular choice.
- Throw-and-Roll. The next most common method of pothole patching is the “throw-and-roll,” which, like the throw-and-go, starts off by shoveling asphalt into an unprepared pothole. Instead of leaving, though, the repair crew then compacts the new material using the tires of the maintenance truck. This method takes only a few minutes more to complete than the previous option and will significantly reduce the need for future repairs and increase the lifespan of the patch.
- Semi-Permanent. In the semi-permanent method of pothole patching, the pothole is first cleared of any water or debris, and the sides of the hole are then squared to a depth where the pavement is sound. Repair material is then placed in the patch area and compacted using vibratory plate compactors or single-drum rollers. This process further increases the longevity of the patch, and it is often considered the best procedure short of fully re-paving the whole area.