Why Potholes Keep Coming Back

Why You Keep Patching the Same Potholes (And How to Stop It)

If you’ve repaired the same potholes multiple times, it’s not “bad luck.” It’s usually one of these problems:

1) Water Is Getting Under the Asphalt

Standing water and poor drainage are pothole factories. Once water gets into the base, loads from cars and trucks break the area apart fast.

Fix: Correct low spots, improve drainage, and repair the base before patching.

2) The Repair Was Surface-Only

Throw-and-go patches fail quickly because they don’t address what’s underneath.

Fix: Cut, remove failed material, rebuild base, compact, then patch properly.

3) The Base Is Failing (Not Just the Asphalt)

Alligator cracking around potholes often means the base can’t support traffic anymore.

Fix: Full-depth patching in those sections, or a broader rehab plan.

4) Heavy Loads Concentrate in the Same Areas

Dumpster pads, delivery lanes, entrances, and fire lanes take repeated heavy hits.

Fix: Reinforce those areas with the right repair thickness and prep.

The Right Way to Think About Pothole Repair

A pothole is usually a symptom, not the disease. The repair plan should answer:

• Why did this area fail?
  
  
• Is the base stable?
  
  
• Is water sitting here?
  
  
• Is the traffic load heavier than the pavement was built for?
  
  

Biran Paving Group repairs potholes with a commercial mindset: stop the repeat failures, not just cover them up.

FAQs

Are infrared repairs better?
Sometimes, for specific scenarios. But base failure still needs base repair.

When is full-depth patching needed?
When the base is compromised or alligator cracking is present.