Asphalt repair · Patching
Asphalt repair that fixes the failure, not just the hole.
A pothole is a symptom. The question behind every patch is what failed underneath: a worn surface, a soft base, bad drainage or a failed utility cut. A repair scope should investigate the cause, not simply cover the visible opening. No patch can guarantee that underlying or adjacent distress will never return.
Surface patch or full-depth repair
Surface patching makes sense where the top layer has failed but the base is intact, such as raveled areas or shallow potholes. Full-depth repair is an appropriate repair where the base has failed: the pavement is saw cut, excavated, the base is recompacted or rebuilt, and new asphalt is placed and rolled to grade.
A surface patch over a base failure looks finished for a few months, then settles or cracks around the edges. Knowing which failure is which is the whole point of having someone who works on pavement look at it first.
Why patches fail
Most failed patches trace back to skipped steps: soft material left in the hole, no compaction on the base, cold asphalt dumped into a wet hole or edges left without a clean cut. Water gets in, the patch pumps, and the failure grows past the patch lines.
A proper patch is cut square, excavated to firm material, backfilled and compacted in lifts, tacked and paved flush to the surrounding pavement.
When patching stops making sense
Repairs can make sense while failures are isolated. Recurring patches are a reason to investigate surface age, support, drainage and utility backfill. Depending on the cause and extent, further repairs, mill and overlay or reconstruction may be appropriate. Iron Ridge can discuss alternatives based on observed conditions.
FAQ
Asphalt Repair & Patching FAQ: scope, cost and scheduling.
Related services
Services often paired with asphalt repair & patching.
Where we work
Asphalt Repair & Patching service areas and industries.
Pavement guides
Resources for planning your pavement scope.
Discuss your project
Request a bid for asphalt repair & patching.
Send the property, current pavement condition and timing. Plans, photos and specs help us respond with a usable scope.