What Causes Potholes?

What Causes PotholesModern roads and pathways are quite durable by their very nature. However, there are still times when damage can occur. One of the most common situations involves the formation of potholes. Not only are these imperfections a profound nuisance, but they can be dangerous for vehicles as well as the average pedestrian.

This is why the services provided by professional pothole repair contractors will often come in handy. It is still important to understand how potholes form. This can enable you to spot one before it becomes a large problem. Let us examine the mechanics behind these holes.

More Than Meets the Eye

One common misconception is that surface damage eventually leads to potholes. In fact, this is only partially true. The main reason why a pothole may suddenly appear involves water. If this water permeates the surface and enters into the underlying ground, problems can begin to develop.

Water is known for its ability to expand and contract with different temperatures. Assuming that the road is found within a harsh environment, potholes may appear. When water freezes, it expands (think of ice cubes within your freezer).

When it thaws, it will naturally contract. This constant expansion and contraction will eventually cause the surface above to weaken and crack.

Unfortunately, more water may also enter into the void left below. Given enough time, the soil beneath starts to wash away; causing the road or pathway to collapse into the subsequent hole.

Better Sooner than Later

As we can see, the formation of potholes is not often visible until the surface itself collapses. This is why it is important to contact a specialist as soon as one is suspected to be present.

The professionals at Jordan Surfacing have a great deal of experience in this area and we will be more than happy to provide you with a consultation as soon as possible.