How potholes are repaired
We tend to use two different methods for repairing potholes depending on circumstance, with the preferred approach being to cut out the affected area and fill with hot tarmac.
However, we may need to use a cold product that does not require any cutting of the existing surface in areas where working on the highway can be very disruptive or there is water on the highway.
Cut out and fill
For this method, a rectangle is cut around the border of the pothole a few inches from the edge. The area is swept to remove debris from in and around the pothole, before the edges and bottom are sealed against water ingress. Hot tarmac is then poured into the rectangle, spread tightly into each corner and compacted with a vibrating ‘whacker’.
Cold products
These products are specially designed to ‘set’ quickly and be a permanent repair while using virtually no tools. It can be used in any weather, even when potholes are filled with water as it’s used to activate the material. Cold product is also safer for the workforce and there is no waste from hot materials cooling before use.
The pothole is swept to remove debris before the repair is carried out. This material comes in ready to use bags which are poured in and shaped to the edges. The filled pothole is then either driven over or stamped level to provide a flat surface. Vibration ‘whacking’ does not work on these materials.
This method has allowed us to permanently repair more potholes faster, at the same time as keeping a high-quality standard.
Repairing all potholes at the same time regardless of whether they are an immediate safety issue or not would require considerably more resources and money. Reactive maintenance is expensive compared to planned maintenance and it does not provide best value for money. Repairing roads by the pothole method costs the equivalent of £200 per square metre. Resurfacing a road costs around £30 per square metre.