There are several reasons for potholes on the roads. Sometimes, the surface becomes raised by excessive weight, and then sinks into a hollow space. It can take some time for a pothole to become serious and require a repair, and the cost can become a concern to local authorities. In these cases, the repairs are a temporary solution, but you can expect the problem to come back in the future. Other times, potholes are the result of harsh weather conditions.
Water freezes and thaws. The water seeps into the ground beneath the pavement, freezing as it does. This creates a raised surface underneath the pavement, known as frost heaves. Once the water melts, it pushes up into the hollow space, and the cars continue to drive over it. This raises the surface of the road and causes a gap. The weight of traffic pushes it even further and creates a pothole.
In winter, the freezing and thawing process results in further problems. When the surface is pulled up, the cracks allow water to seep through it. As a result, when the road becomes icy, the water expands and forms a depression underneath. This is what causes potholes. These cracked areas are the cause of most potholes. Hence, repairing potholes is an essential task to prevent damaging vehicles.
Despite the various reasons for the formation of potholes, it is important to understand what causes them. As a result, water can be the worst cause for them. When temperatures drop at night, the water freezes and expands in the soil layers, pushing up the road surface. As the temperature rises, the ground returns to its normal level. The raised pavement creates a gap between the ground and the road surface, causing the crack to open and expand further.
Cold weather is the primary cause of potholes. When the temperatures drop, the water freezes and expands in the ground beneath. This happens because the ground isn’t stable at this temperature. If there is a hole, the road surface will collapse under the weight of the traffic. If it sinks, it will lead to serious damage to your car if you hit a pothole at any kind of speed. Repairs are carried out by road working crews who should be highly visible thanks to their Chapter 8 Chevrons. Find out more at vehiclechevrons.com
Winter weather conditions can cause a road to experience a number of potholes and other damage over time. Some potholes appear as small dips in the road, whereas others will result in gouges in the road surface that can cause significant damage when hit by vehicle wheels. Such potholes are often impossible to drive over.
While some types of moisture can cause a pothole, the majority of them are caused by traffic and water. A large amount of snow will cause mud to be deposited on the road also causing a pothole.