Potholes in parking lots and roadways are more than just an eyesore, they’re a serious safety concern. From sudden tire blowouts and vehicle suspension damage to dangerous trips and falls, these craters can create liability issues and tarnish your property’s appearance.

At City Wide Facility Solutions, we understand that maintaining a safe and presentable property is a year-round job. Harsh weather conditions, high traffic, and the natural wear and tear of asphalt surfaces all contribute to pothole formation. That’s why we offer a range of repair solutions tailored to your property’s needs, whether you’re dealing with a few surface blemishes or deep structural damage.

How Do Potholes Form?

Potholes typically begin with small surface cracks in asphalt caused by natural aging, UV exposure, or traffic stress. When water seeps into these cracks, especially in colder months, it freezes and expands, widening the gaps. As vehicles continue to drive over these weakened spots, the asphalt begins to break apart. The result is a hole that can grow rapidly with repeated stress and neglect.

Key contributing factors include:

  • Water infiltration: The number one cause of asphalt failure, especially during freeze-thaw cycles
  • Heavy vehicle traffic: Constant pressure from delivery trucks, buses, or high-traffic patterns
  • Temperature fluctuations: Sudden changes can exacerbate cracking and deterioration
  • Poor drainage: Standing water accelerates breakdown of the sub-base

📌 Read to Learn More About the Formation of Potholes

Why Potholes Need Immediate Attention

While a single pothole might seem like a minor inconvenience, neglecting it can lead to serious consequences:

  • Increased liability: Property owners can be held responsible for injuries or damages resulting from pothole-related accidents
  • Vehicle damage: Potholes can lead to flat tires, alignment issues, broken rims, and suspension problems
  • Pedestrian hazards: People can trip and fall, especially in poorly lit or uneven areas
  • Escalating repair costs: A small pothole is much cheaper to fix than a collapsed sub-base
  • Negative curb appeal: Damaged asphalt gives a poor first impression of your business or property
Pothole Repair, Pothole, Parking lot damage

Pothole Repair Solutions: What Are Your Options?

At City Wide, we help clients determine the most efficient and cost-effective way to address potholes based on seasonal conditions and the extent of the damage.

Temporary Fix: Cold Patch Asphalt

Cold patch asphalt is a fast and budget-friendly way to repair potholes in the winter months when traditional materials can’t be used. It’s made of a pliable mixture that doesn’t require heating and can be compacted by vehicle traffic.

Pothole Repair, Pothole, Parking lot damage

Benefits:

  • Immediate safety improvement
  • Prevents pothole from worsening
  • Fast installation with minimal downtime
  • Can be used in freezing temperatures

Limitations:

  • Not as durable as hot asphalt
  • Best suited as a stop-gap until warmer weather allows for permanent repair

Permanent Fix: Hot Asphalt Repair

For long-term results, hot asphalt repair is the most reliable solution. This method involves removing the damaged section entirely and rebuilding it with hot mix asphalt, which provides a seamless, hardened surface.

Pothole Repair, Pothole, Parking lot damage

Process overview:

  1. Cutting the perimeter of the pothole to establish clean, straight edges
  2. Clearing out debris and weakened asphalt
  3. Filling the area with a hot asphalt mixture
  4. Compacting the patch with heavy equipment to ensure durability
  5. Leveling and sealing for a smooth, even finish

Timing:
Hot asphalt repairs are best performed during warmer months (typically late March through early December), when outdoor temperatures allow for proper curing.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Preventing potholes from forming in the first place is often more cost-effective than repairing them. Consider adding the following preventative measures to your maintenance plan:

  • Sealcoating: A protective layer that guards against water, UV rays, and chemicals
  • Crack sealing: Fills in small cracks before they expand
  • Proper drainage: Keeps water from pooling on your pavement
  • Routine inspections: Helps identify problem areas before they become liabilities

City Wide can help coordinate these preventative services as part of a proactive asphalt management plan.

Why Partner with City Wide Facility Solutions?

At City Wide, we go beyond quick fixes. We provide reliable solutions tailored to your business and property needs—pothole repair is just one piece of the puzzle.

As a premier facility management company, City Wide acts as your single point of contact for more than 20 essential building maintenance services. From parking lot repairs to janitorial services and everything in between, we streamline communication and manage a trusted network of local vendors so you don’t have to.

Whether you operate a single building or manage multiple facilities, we help reduce your workload and deliver peace of mind by ensuring every aspect of your property is in expert hands.

How It Works

When you contact City Wide about pothole repairs, our process is straightforward:

  1. Assessment: We evaluate the size, depth, and cause of the damage
  2. Recommendation: We provide a repair plan tailored to your budget and timeline
  3. Execution: We manage the contractor, oversee quality control, and ensure the job is completed on schedule
  4. Follow-Up: We check back in and coordinate additional services as needed

This same approach applies to everything we do—because potholes might be today’s issue, but tomorrow might bring a different challenge.

More Than Asphalt Repairs: Explore City Wide’s Full Capabilities

Potholes are just one of many exterior issues we solve. Our expertise extends across your entire facility. With City Wide, you gain a strategic partner that can assist with:

  • Janitorial services
  • Snow and ice management
  • Parking lot striping and sweeping
  • Pressure washing and exterior cleaning
  • Landscaping and lawn care
  • Disinfection and deep cleaning
  • Floor care
  • Window washing
  • Lighting maintenance and LED upgrades
  • Handyman and repair services

We don’t just show up when there’s a problem, we work proactively to prevent them. Our goal is to become a long-term extension of your team, helping you deliver a clean, safe, and professional environment to every person who walks onto your property.

📌 Read to Learn More About City Wide Facility Solutions

Let’s Patch Things Up— Together

If your parking lot or entryway is showing signs of wear, don’t wait until a pothole becomes a lawsuit—or a lost customer. City Wide is ready to help with fast response times, expert coordination, and the highest-quality vendors in the business.

Looking for other solutions while we’re on-site? Ask us how we can streamline your snow removal, janitorial needs, or landscaping services too. One call connects you to the experts who can manage it all.

Written by

Jeff Smith