Why It’s Crucial to Fix Damaged Roads

by TRP Ready Mix on December 11, 2019

The Importance of Performing Road Repairs Quickly and Efficiently

As we all can agree – there are serious financial and safety repercussions of not repairing a vehicle that is broken. The same can be said for damaged roads that are not properly maintained or repaired. Improper maintenance can snowball very quickly and can become a significant, dangerous, and expensive problem.

In this article, we explore the impacts and causes of road damage and discuss the importance of proper maintenance.

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Safety First

Spring. There is a reason why they call it pothole season. After repeated cycles of thawing and freezing over the winter months, cracked asphalt and potholes start to become visible. Moisture on the road’s surface can cause the asphalt to expand with changing temperatures, breaking the surface and compromising the road’s structural integrity.

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Potholes can pose a safety risk for drivers, pedestrians and even animals on the road. Drivers are instinctually triggered to swerve around them, increasing the risk of accidents with other drivers. They can also be a tripping hazard for both pedestrians and animals. It is not something to take lightly.

Some responsibility does lie with drivers to report potholes. Municipalities regularly inspect for damage, but they cannot be everywhere at once. Therefore, if you see a pothole on the road, take the time to report it to your municipal office so that they can be repaired quickly, making our roads safer to drive on.

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Comfort

There are few things that are more cringe-worthy than not seeing a pothole in the road and driving rights into it. Shoulders shrugging, the crunching and thumping sounds of your vehicle passing through an asphalt hole in the road. The anxiety and panic you feel until you finally get to pull over safely to check the damage on your vehicle. The stress of how much the damage may cost you. The shock and uncomfortable feeling of driving over something you had no idea was ahead of you. It is not something that anyone wants to experience.

Reporting potholes is your best line of defense to ensure that your municipality can act quickly, which, in turn, will help you avoid all of the above feelings and prevent damage to other vehicles on the road.

Preventing Additional Problems

If you have a leak in your home, it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Waiting could cause the issue to snowball into a much bigger and costlier problem. The same can be said for cracks and damage to roads. Once the problem begins, it is easy for it to spread. Quick action is crucial to reducing the cost of repairs and preventing much larger problems in the future.

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Sealing cracks on roads is one of the most important repairs that can be made. This type of damage is typically caused by water damage and sealing these cracks can stop or delay further damage. This is not something you want to delay.

Common Road Damage that Requires Repair (& How they should be repaired!)

Damage can manifest itself in many different forms, but there is a common theme in each one. The importance of getting them repaired quickly to avoid further damage. Below is a list of common problems that can arise.

Concrete Cracking

Weakness in the road’s surface, base or sub grade, load-associated damage and poor drainage can all contribute to this type of condition and is typically repaired with a full patch. Since there are multiple types of cracking, a thorough assessment of issue should be done to determine the best course of action for each condition.

Concrete Upheaval

The cause of upheaval is an upward movement that is localized in pavement due to swelling of the subgrade. Soils that swell due to moisture or frost can cause this condition. A full-depth patch would be required to repair the area.

Potholes

Potholes are typically caused by water intrusion from cracks that already exist on the surface. If left untreated, water can erode the surface down to the sub-base, causing large holes in the asphalt, which can spread and cause damage to vehicles. A patch can be applied to the surface in many cases, but if the sub-base has been destroyed, the fix will be temporary. It is important to assess damage to the sub-base to determine the best course of action.

Bird Baths

Also known as depressions, bird baths are caused by areas of lower elevation than the surrounding pavement. They are particularly noticeable after heavy rain when they fill with water. Asphalt may need to be removed and replaced, depending on the severity of the issue. Minor depressions can be corrected by applying a thin or infrared patch to the surface.

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Bottom Line? Don’t Delay Road Repairs!

Road repairs are essential to ensuring the safety of motorists and pedestrians on our roads. It is crucial to regularly assess the above conditions and perform repairs as quickly as possible. Failing to perform necessary repairs can ultimately lead to much more costly and dangerous conditions. Be proactive and contact your local municipalities to inform them of repairs that may be required on our roads.