FEATURE
Patch it Right or Patch it Twice
By Daniel Martin
Across North America and around the globe, one truth holds up no matter where the road takes you: if you don’ t patch pavement properly the first time, you’ ll be back again— wasting time, money and credibility. In the pavement maintenance and preservation world, patching is often viewed as the“ get in, get out” solution. A quick fix to hold things over until the budget loosens up or a major rehab can be scheduled. But here’ s the kicker— a poorly executed patch job is more than just an eyesore. It can become a recurring problem, undermine surface treatments and ultimately shorten the life of your road. That’ s why proper patching isn’ t just a best practice— it’ s a responsibility. No matter what method you use— infrared, spray injection, hot mix, cold patch or mastic— you have to do it right. That means following OEM recommendations, understanding your state or local DOT’ s specifications and applying sound judgment based on the conditions on the ground.
The Freeze-Thaw Factor: Asphalt’ s Worst Enemy
Let’ s talk about one of the most brutal forces our roads face: the freeze-thaw cycle. It’ s the silent killer of flexible pavements. When water infiltrates cracks or potholes and then freezes, it expands, putting pressure on surrounding material. Then it thaws, collapses and repeats. Over time, this process widens cracks, deepens potholes and accelerates the degradation of the entire pavement structure. If a pothole isn’ t properly patched and sealed, the freeze-thaw cycle guarantees one thing— you’ ll be back next season( if not next month).
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