Pothole Repair in Reading

Pothole repairs prevent further damage. Water is the root cause of potholes. Existing potholes let more water get in under the sub-surface and repairing a pothole now will prevent the formation of larger potholes and further damage down the line.

They are commonly caused by the shape of the underlying ground. After the road surfacing has been laid, it will soak up rain. When temperatures drop below zero the water freezes and expands causing damage to the surface. When thawed, it will cause the surface to break in a way that matches the underlying shape of the ground therefore creating a pothole.

Local authorities, such as city or county councils, are typically responsible for road maintenance and repairs. However, highways managed by Highways England fall under their jurisdiction for repairs and maintenance.

Most pothole-filling projects are carried out using a four-stage process:

1. The pothole is cleared of loose debris and any poor-quality tarmac left in the hole
2. A ‘tack coating’ of bitumen is applied to the hole’s inner surface for better adhesion
3. A hard-wearing tarmac mixture is poured into the hole then levelled with the road
4. Edges where the pothole repair meets the main surface are sealed with a bitumen mix

You can usually report a pothole to your local council through their website or a dedicated hotline. Some councils also have mobile apps for reporting. Provide details about the location and size of the pothole to help expedite the process.

The time it takes to repair a pothole varies based on its size, location, weather conditions, and the availability of resources. Smaller potholes might be repaired within days, while larger ones could take weeks, especially if there’s a backlog.

Patching is the process of filling potholes or excavated areas in the road surface. Quick repair of potholes helps control further deterioration and expensive resurfacing repairs.