Asphalt deformations are the most common and worrying type of instability for both property owners and passersby. They are the symbol of the emergency that affects pavement’s functional and performance characteristics. It acts on grip, regularity, and lift, directly affecting comfort and safety and compromising the asphalt’s durability.

Almost every day, each of us experiences them, aware that every pothole and crack is synonymous with danger. Therefore, it is crucial to know about effective asphalt patching techniques beforehand so that you can take appropriate actions on time.

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In this blog, we’ll focus on the top five most common asphalt patching techniques for filling potholes.

1. Compaction

Compaction is the method of filling the pothole in a single step and then hastily compacting the mixture only with the back of a shovel, without having cleaned, dried, and leveled the new material in layers.

Although at times it may seem the quickest and most straightforward solution, compaction is not technically the correct way to effectively repair the damaged area, especially if it is deep.

2. Pour and Go Technique

The pour-and-go filling technique (also known as throw and go ) is the most commonly used because it is cheap, simple, and quick: the cold filling material, in fact, simply has to be poured into the hole, which could also not be “prepared” to properly accommodate the material.

It does not require special equipment, and the compaction is delegated to the passage of traffic load.

It is a method suitable only for emergencies (in which it is necessary to restore road traffic quickly) and, in any case, for shallow holes of low severity.

3. Pour and Compact Technique

The technique preferred over the previous one is the pour and compact (throw and roll) technique. Without prejudice to the use of high quality cold bituminous aggregate, the extra time (compared to pour and go) needed for compaction guarantees a longer service life and greater resistance to traffic loads.

Moreover, productivity is not affected, especially if the areas on which the material is laid are large and separated by long distances.

4. Semi-Permanent Technique

The semi-permanent repair method is among the best in terms of effectiveness, in particular for the repair of structural holes, areas damaged by cracks or ruts. Furthermore, the patch’s duration increases if the edges and the bottom are properly reshaped and if the filling material is a hot bituminous aggregate to be compacted with metal rollers.

However, it requires more staff and more equipment and results in a lower productivity rate than poured and compact topping.

5. Technical Infrared Thermal Regeneration

This procedure consists of pavement regeneration by heating heavily damaged portions (holes, ruts, branched cracks) of the wear layer, up to a depth of about 4-5 cm.

For greater depths (which also involve the binder layer), it is advisable to set two separate and consecutive phases. Aesthetically, the patch is similar to that produced with the semi-permanent technique.

The speed ​​and duration of the repair and the ability to operate in adverse weather conditions represent this operating technique’s strengths. However, this has higher costs in the case of a low quantity of holes filled in a single work shift.

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