The winter/early spring is a great time for property managers to get their pavement maintenance projects underway, including pothole repair. But when it comes to the best way how to fix potholes, it’s a bit like asking two chefs how to bake a cake — they’ll give you different recipes and methods that work for them.

Potholes occur when cracks in a road’s surface allow water – rain and melting snow – to reach the base or subbase below it. Over time, this moisture weakens the base and/or subbase, causing it to shift or crumble when traffic travels over it. The result is the formation of a hole or depression in the asphalt.

DIY Roadwork: How to Fix Potholes on Your Own

Often, these potholes are overlooked or neglected, which allows them to evolve into much larger problems as the freeze-thaw cycle takes hold. It’s important to fix them promptly to avoid costly and unsafe driving conditions.

If you’re not a professional tarmac contractor or simply don’t have the skills, you may prefer to hire someone for your pothole repair project. Search for local contractors that offer driveway repair or tarmac surfacing and ask about their qualifications. They should be licensed, insured and carry a Street Works Qualifications Register (SWQR) ID card.

To make a permanent repair to a pothole, first clean out the debris and water from it using a stiff broom or sweeper. Next, square the edges of the pothole and fill it to the height of the surrounding pavement surface, making sure the material is slightly overfilled for compaction. Once the asphalt is poured, compact it with a hand tamper or use a petrol plate compactor equipped with a heat lance.