Potholes happen. But we can have less of them.

Potholes suck for drivers and asphalt owners alike. And there’s no getting around them, sometimes literally.

Potholes are both costly to repair and can cause major damage to your vehicle.

We hate them as much as you do. We might actually hate them more.

Potholes happen. But why?

Potholes are like weeds. They make a parking lot or driveway look neglected. They are a pain to get rid of. And despite all your best efforts, they manage to appear.

Potholes result from: 

1. Poor construction
2. Lack of proper drainage
3. Cracking
4. Heavy traffic load
5. Water (Freezing and thawing cycle)

Can I prevent potholes in my asphalt driveway or parking lot?

Yes and no. Just like weeds, there are plenty of ways to prevent potholes. But the reality is you are pushing back or slowing down their formation.

So here are five ways you can slow down or stop potholes from forming in your asphalt parking lot or driveway:

1. Regular inspection
2. Keep it clean
3. Timely repairs
4. Avoid heavy loads
5. Call the professionals.

Even though we suggest you don’t do-it-yourself when it comes to asphalt repair, there are some things you can do to prevent potholes from developing.

1. Regular inspection

The easiest thing you can do to prevent potholes is to really look at your asphalt surface.

Every couple of months walk around your driveway or parking lot and inspect your asphalt. Use our guide to figure out what you need to look for and how quickly you need to take care of it.

Create a reminder in your calendar so you don’t forget. And if you see the beginnings of cracks or holes, give us a call to check it out and give you a free estimate.

Catching and correcting a problem in the early stages can save you money, time, and headaches.

2. Keep it clean

Keep your driveway or parking lot clear from litter, leaves, and other materials that can build up on the surface. Add sweeping the drive to your kid’s chore list. Or grab your leaf blower and clear off your parking lot.

Regular cleaning prevents the buildup of materials that can trap water on the asphalt’s surface, which can easily lead to potholes.

3. Timely repairs

As I’ve said before, asphalt repair is DDIY (Don’t do it yourself). What I mean by timely repairs is scheduling needed repairs as soon as possible and practical.

When you notice alligator cracking or puddling on your blacktop during spring, summer, or early fall, call Stripe A Lot at (616) 772-2559. As always, we’ll come out and give you a free estimate, and get you on our calendar for repairs.

What if it’s late fall or winter? Once the ground freezes, permanent asphalt repairs are pretty much impossible.

But, you can slow the growth of a pothole by pouring gravel and sand into the area. This will prevent large amounts of water from getting into your foundation and reduce the damage of Michigan’s freezing and thawing cycles.

Again, this is a temporary solution to reduce the water damage and pothole expansion. You’ll want to call us immediately to schedule a repair as soon as spring arrives.

Ignoring or delaying repairs can lead to further deterioration and increased repair costs.

4. Avoid heavy loads

Not all blacktops are built the same. Roads and highways are built to withstand years of travel and the heavy weights of semi trucks. Residential driveways only need to withstand passenger vehicles, which costs far less to install and requires much less foundational strength.

Asphalt parking lots are built specifically for the type of business they’re supporting. A veterinarian’s parking lot will be designed for passenger vehicles. An asphalt repair company’s parking lot will have to have a much higher weight requirement to support heavy machinery.

Establish and post weight restrictions to prevent heavy vehicles from causing excessive stress on your asphalt. While we are not equipped to help you determine your parking lot’s maximum weight capacity, we can refer you to some trusted professionals. 

5. Call the professionals.

Asphalt repair and maintenance require skills, special equipment, and a pair of shoes you’re willing to throw away after you’re done.

So when it’s time for asphalt repairs, scheduled maintenance, or replacement, call Stripe A Lot. With nearly 40 years serving West Michigan’s asphalt maintenance and repair needs, we understand the problems and we’re experts at solving them.

Here are four ways a professional asphalt team can help you prevent potholes from forming in your driveway or parking lot:

1. Quality construction
2. Adequate drainage
3. Timely repairs
4. Sealcoating

1. Quality construction

The easiest and best way to ensure your driveway or parking lot is constructed using high-quality materials and proper techniques is to hire high-quality professionals.

Construction of the foundation and sub-base are critical to a structurally-sound blacktop surface. If your parking lot or driveway isn’t built on a solid foundation, your future will be full of cracks and potholes.

2. Adequate drainage

Poor drainage is a common cause of potholes. Puddles of water on your parking lot or driveway are the first, obvious symptom of potholes.

Hiring a trusted professional asphalt company to pour your blacktop will ensure your driveway or parking lot has proper slope and drainage systems in place to redirect water away from the surface.

But if that ship has sailed and the asphalt has cured, an expert asphalt repair company will be able to help you course-correct.

3. Timely repairs

If you’re keeping track, timely repairs are mentioned in the five ways you can prevent potholes. But in this section, it’s different.

Cracks in the surface can allow water to penetrate, leading to potholes. Having the cracks, holes, faults, and flaws in your asphalt professionally repaired will provide a long-term solution. It’s at least your best bet.

4. Sealcoating

Applying a sealcoat to the surface of your driveway or parking lot helps protect it from damage caused by UV rays, water, and other elements. Sealcoating creates a protective barrier that can extend the life of the surface and minimize the formation of potholes.

Make potholes a thing of the past

By taking these preventive steps and maintaining your driveway or parking lot regularly, you can make a big difference in reducing the creation of potholes and extending the life of your asphalt.

When you notice the first signs of cracking or sinking in your asphalt, call Stripe A Lot for a free repair estimate. Having served the greater Holland area for almost 40 years, we know how brutal Michigan winters can be on your asphalt. And we’ve become experts at making your asphalt look great and last longer.