How to Fill a Pothole in Just a Few Easy Steps

Potholes are more than a nuisance; they damage your car and can pose a serious safety hazard to people walking, driving or cycling on the road. They are also costly for property owners if they are not repaired promptly.

While many people choose to hire professional contractors to fill potholes, this often results in high costs and shoddy work that may not last for long. It’s far more cost-effective and convenient to do the job yourself. Fortunately, you can learn how to fill a pothole in just a few easy steps.

Before you begin, it’s important to prepare the area by raking or shoveling away any loose gravel or debris in and around the pothole. This will help ensure that the repair is solid and won’t crumble or break off in future months. It’s also a good idea to remove any broken glass, cans or other items that may be lying around.

Fill ‘Em Up How to Fill a Pothole Properly

Once the surface has been cleaned, use a shovel or rake to create a shallow depression in the center of the pothole. This will help you to create a better seal with the new asphalt material you’ll be using to fill it.

You can use cold-patch, PatchMaster, or another similar product to fill potholes on asphalt or tarmac surfaces. It’s also worth purchasing a bag of cold joint spray and bonding tape to keep the uncured asphalt from seeping through the new hole and causing further problems. Lastly, it’s a good idea to invest in a mechanical compactor or Hyundai wacker plate to fully compact the new asphalt and make it watertight.