The Best Time of Year to Repair Potholes and Similar Road Damages

Posted on October 28, 2022 by admin

Potholes are caused by water seeping into the cracks in asphalt and expanding when it freezes. As vehicles drive over these areas, the asphalt is further cracked and broken up, eventually leading to a pothole. Potholes can also form when there is inadequate drainage beneath the pavement. If water isn’t able to drain properly, it will pool and erode the asphalt. Poorly maintained roads are more susceptible to potholes, as are roads that see a lot of heavy traffic.

Parking lots can also develop potholes, particularly if they are not well-maintained or if there is poor drainage. Potholes can be a nuisance and can cause damage to vehicles, so it’s important to fill them in as soon as possible. But many property owners wonder if this is the best time of year to repair potholes given that the weather is cooling down and the sunshine is diminishing.

Continue below to learn some facts about pothole repair and pavement maintenance that will help you decide when it’s time to repair potholes and similar road damages.

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When to Repair Potholes

Potholes are a common problem on roads and can cause damage to vehicles if they are not repaired in a timely manner. The best time of year to repair potholes is typically during the spring, summer, and fall seasons when the weather is ambient and moderately dry. Pothole repair crews can work more efficiently and effectively during these months, and the repairs are less likely to be disrupted by heavy rain, wind, or snow.

If you see a pothole on your road, it’s important to report it to your local government so that it can be repaired as soon as possible. You can help prevent damage to your car and keep the roads safe for everyone by getting potholes fixed promptly.

Common Methods of Pothole Repair

As mentioned, potholes are commonly caused by water seeping into cracks in the pavement and then freezing, expanding, and thawing, which weakens the pavement. Potholes can also form when vehicles drive over damaged sections of pavement. There are a few ways to repair potholes, but cold patching is the most common. Other methods of pothole repair include hot patching, infrared patching, and full-depth patching.

Cold patching is when a premixed asphalt mixture is used to fill the pothole. First, the area around the pothole is cleaned out so that the cold patch will have a clean surface to adhere to. Then, the cold patch is placed in the hole and compacted with a tamper or roller.

Hot patching is when hot asphalt is used to fill the pothole. This method is usually done by professional contractors since it requires specialized equipment.

Infrared patching is when an infrared heat lamp is used to soften the damaged pavement so that new asphalt can be added.

Full-depth patching is a more permanent solution and involves removing the damaged pavement and replacing it with new pavement.

Pothole Prevention Tips

Pothole repair is an important part of keeping your pavement in good condition. By repairing potholes, you can extend the life of your pavement and avoid more costly repairs down the road. There are several methods that can be used to prevent potholes from forming, or to repair them before they cause any damage.

One method of pothole prevention is pavement milling. This involves using a large machine to remove the top layer of asphalt from the road, and then replacing it with a new layer. This process can help to prevent potholes from forming, as it gets rid of any cracks or voids in the surface that could allow water to seep in and cause damage.

Another method of pothole prevention is sealcoating. This involves applying a sealant to the surface of the asphalt to help fill in any cracks or voids. Sealcoating can also help to prevent water from seeping into the pavement and causing damage.

Are you looking for a dependable commercial pavement and road construction company in your area? Contact ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 to speak with a licensed and insured paving contractor about commercial pothole repair and cold patching in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the state.

The Importance of Spring Pothole Repair

Posted on April 18, 2022 by admin

Every year, Hoosiers all across the state start asking themselves, “where did all these pesky potholes come from?” Well, the answer is, winter. In the winter, water and precipitation seeps into porous pavement and then freezes over. The freezing of water forces the pavement to expand as the ice forms. Once warmer temperatures arrive pre-Spring, the frozen water within pavement thaws, causing the surrounding pavement to then contract back into itself. As a result, pavement caves and crumbles and forms what we refer to as potholes. This whole process is known as the seasonal freeze-thaw cycle, and it is the number one cause of Spring potholes.

If your parking lot or commercial drive is ridden with a sudden pothole outbreak, now is the time to get them filled. Continue reading to learn why Spring pothole repair is so important, plus who to trust in Central Indiana for superior commercial paving and road construction service.

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Pothole Repair in Indianapolis Indiana

The thing about potholes is, they require immediate attention. Otherwise, they will grow and worsen, potentially posing several safety and liability risks. Not only does broken and crumbled pavement turn off potential consumers by lowering your property’s curb appeal, but also, having large holes and crevices on your pavements can be dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. If anyone is injured on your commercial property due to a lack of pavement maintenance, you could be held legally responsible for their damages, bodily and property.

Why Repair Potholes in Spring?

Spring is a perfect time for pavement repair and pothole patching because the weather is predictable and mostly ambient. Although Spring is known as the rainy season and it is not ideal to perform pavement work in the rain, there are still plenty of dry days that not too cool and not too warm. Hot mix asphalt is a common material used to fill in potholes.

In the Spring, the weather is warm enough to keep the mix liquid-y while it is poured and spread, but cool enough to support a proper curing and hardening process. Fall is similar in climate, making it another great time of year to have paving work done, such as asphalt resealing and sealcoating.

Just because the freeze-thaw cycle is complete by Spring, there are several elements of the season that can worsen potholes. If you do not repair potholes in the Spring, they will grow larger and expand into additional pavement defects and problems by summer.

Are your lots in need of pavement and pothole repair right now? Contact ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial pothole repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve clients all throughout the central parts of the state.

Everything You Need to Know About Potholes in Indianapolis

Posted on February 28, 2022 by admin

This time of year, the potholes really start to worsen. Come Spring, they are in fuller affect, and worsening at an exponential rate. If you are a property owner dealing with nuisance potholes, you should know that there is a viable solution for pothole repair and prevention. It all starts with the right knowledge.

Continue reading to learn some of the most pertinent points regarding potholes, including how they form and what can be done to repair and prevent them.

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Facts About Potholes

Pothole Formation

Potholes are formed by the seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, more specifically the expansion and contraction of ground water. When it rains or snows, water seeps into permeable pavements like concrete, cement, or unsealed asphalt. Once the weather gets cold enough, the water inside pavement freezes and expands. As a result, the pavement endures structural stress.

When the temperatures increase and the water inside pavement thaws, it contracts, and so does the pavement. What results is surface cracks and crevices, which eventually break apart and crumble away as more vehicular traffic and similar external conditions come through. Then a pothole forms.

Deicer Salt Can Expedite Pothole Formation

During the winter season, especially right now after experiencing some icy conditions last week, many Hoosiers rely on deicing salts. However, deicers tend to speed up the rate of pothole formation. You see, water will freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but deicing salts reduce the temperature at which water freezes. As a result, a man-made freeze-thaw cycle will arise, thus leading to more pavement damage, and ultimately, pothole formation.

How to Report a Pothole in Indianapolis

If you know of a dangerous or inclement pothole, you can report it to the city for repair. For potholes on interstates and highways, call the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) at 317-356-2411 or submit an email at www.in.gov/indot. If your vehicle has suffered property damage from a pothole, you will need to file a tort claim with the city or county.

How to Repair a Pothole

If you have a small pothole on your property, you may be able to repair it yourself if you are experienced with handy work like this. Otherwise, it is recommended to contact a licensed and insured paving contractor for pothole repair that is up to code and that will stand the test of time. Many people who attempt to repair a pothole on their own find that the repair just doesn’t last. For a permanent solution to Indianapolis pothole repair, hire a professional.

Pothole Prevention

The best method of prevention when it comes to concrete and asphalt pavements is to repair surface blemishes while they are still in their early stages. This usually involves crack over-banding, crack filling, and pothole filling, using materials such as thermoplastic preformed tape, MMA cold plastic infills, cold lay material, hot work patch material, and more.

Another common preventive method is routine maintenance, which may include periodic resurfacing, overlays, reinforcement, cleaning, and incorporating an efficient water drainage system. If you are having new pavement installed, it is vital to hire a professional Indianapolis IN paving company that has a reputation for providing trusted work and outstanding results. Many pavement problems start with poor installation, so be sure you hire wisely to avoid making a poor investment.

Not sure who to trust for commercial or industrial pothole repair in Central Indiana? Contact ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for licensed, bonded, and insured commercial pothole repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We specialize in winter cold patching and pothole prevention solutions.

Commercial and Industrial Pavement Repair

How to Cure Cold Patch Asphalt

Posted on October 12, 2020 by admin

Cold patch asphalt is quite innovative for our time. It is currently the easiest and most economical way to repair small potholes, crevices, and cracks in bitumen-based pavements. If you plan on tackling a paving project on your own, the most important factor to consider is the hardening process. If this phase of the cold asphalt patch method is jeopardized, it can greatly reduce the quality of results.

Continue below to learn some professional paving recommendations for using and curing cold patch asphalt.

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Why Use Cold Patch Asphalt?

The primary reason why cold asphalt patch mix is a common choice for small pothole repairs in asphalt is the ease of installation. There is not a long, extended process of preparing or mixing materials. Instead, the air does most of the work. You simply pour the mix directly into the hole, compact it with simple manual tools (metal tamper or piece of lumber), and leave it to air dry. The mix turns into a permanent surface patch after extended contact with air.

Curing Cold Patch Asphalt Mix

When it comes to applying cold patch asphalt mix, the drying process, also known as curing, is very important. The quality of this curing phase will directly influence how well it establishes a solid, stable surface that lasts a long time. If you want a permanent repair for your asphalt, you need to make sure the entire process is done correctly. If you want to speed up the curing stage of your pavement repair project, you can try a few recommended strategies, including gravel, pouring technique, and forced air.

➽ Gravel – You can use gravel to create a denser space within the hole, which may help to establish lasting strength. Just fill the hole with gravel, little by little, while using your compacting tools to compress the gravel with each layer. Do not fill the hole all the way to the top; be sure to leave 2 inches of space below the surface line for your cold patch mix.

➽ Pouring Technique – As you pour your mix, exceed the surface line by half an inch. This means that your mix should go over the top of the hole by a ½ inch. Then use your compacting tools to compress your material down until it is properly flattened. You may need to repeat this step two or three times to get a proper fill.

➽ High-Powered Drying – Asphalt cold patch mix cures by having contact with air. You can speed up the drying process by using hair dryers or commercial paint dryers. If you are going to use a hair dryer, you will need to manually operate it in a steady, sweeping motion to ensure even curing. The material is near dry when you cannot easily press into the surface with your hand.

Superior Commercial Asphalt Repair and Paving in Central Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial and industrial asphalt paving in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed and qualified paving contractors provide several Indianapolis asphalt and concrete paving services, including pothole repair, winter cold patching, sealcoating, road work, and more. We are the industry veterans to trust for skilled craftsmanship and competitive prices! Request a free estimate, today.

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Can I Repair a Pothole Myself?

Posted on May 29, 2020 by admin

There is no argument about it, potholes are menacing. They are especially undesirable to have on or near your own property. But whether you are a commercial or residential property owner, it is not wise to attempt pothole repair on your own. Continue reading to learn more about pothole management, including how they form and why you should always hire a professional to have them repaired.

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The Basics of Pothole Formation

Pothole formation begins when water seeps into existing cracks and depressions in pavement that have been caused by a combination of inclement, weather, traffic, and natural wear and tear. Water then reacts with the cold temperatures by freezing and subsequently expanding. Then, when temperatures become milder, the water thaws, causing the existing cracks to contract and ultimately worsen.

This worsening is due to water draining and evaporating into the surface, causing a gap to form between the ground and the pavement. The more this cycle occurs, the larger the surface blemishes get, and eventually form what we frustratingly know as potholes. Both asphalt and concrete surfaces are vulnerable to these effects, including sidewalks, parking lots, roads, streets, pool decks, and more.

Conventional Pothole Repair Methods

There are various types of pothole repair methods used in the pavement construction industry, both semi-permanent and temporary versions. One of the most popular techniques used to repair potholes is the “throw and roll” method. This is a temporary fix that basically involves patching the hole with the right material, and then letting traffic drive over it to finish the job. This is the quickest and easiest technique for repairing a pothole on a short-term basis.

In fact, it can cause even more water accumulation and stability issues if used as a permanent solution. This is because the pothole is only being filled-in from the top, which means the rocks and pebbles still inside creating gaps beneath the surface where water can occupy. To make the “throw and roll” repair method semi-permanent, these chunks of rock and pavement need to be removed before the hole is filled with patching material.

DIY Pothole Repair

As you can see, there are many specialized materials, machines, and technologies used to ensure pothole repair is finished up to code, and lasts a long time. If you attempt to repair a pothole yourself, you are not promised long-lasting results. Furthermore, you would have to spend more money acquiring the necessary materials and supplies for the job. It is more cost-effective to hire a professional pavement repair company to fill in potholes. They will do the job right the first time, so that you do not have to address it again in the future.

As for business owners, hiring professionals is a must. Fortunately, commercial asphalt repair is more affordable than most people believe, and you can find reputable commercial pavement repair services in a matter of minutes. Just be sure to choose a company that is licensed and insured, with years of experience and training. They can offer competitive rates and free estimates, saving you hundreds of dollars along the way.

Commercial Paving Contractors in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial pothole repair and paving services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed and qualified contractors provide several asphalt and concrete paving services, including pavement repair, sealcoating, road work, commercial paving, industrial paving, winter cold patching, and more. We are the industry veterans to trust for skilled craftsmanship and competitive prices! Request a free estimate, today.

ACI ASPHALT & CONCRETE

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