FAQs
What is a pothole?
A depression or hollow in an asphalt surface, caused by wear or sinking of underlying sand/road base. A typical pothole size is that of a dinner plate. Anything larger will fall into definition of a “patch”.
How to repair bitumen driveway potholes?
Potholes on a driveway can be fixed:
By asphalt patching or pothole repair
Driveway resurface (remove the old surface and re-lay asphalt)
Driveway re-sheet (lay asphalt over the top of existing surface)
The team at Mr Pothole can advise on the best repair for you, depending on the severity of damage and your budget.
How to patch potholes in asphalt?
The most common repairs are:
Overlap pothole patch – asphalt laid to cover worn edges.
Cut Out – damaged area is cut out and new asphalt laid within the cut to finish level.
Infill (or Butt-fill) pothole repair – damaged area is laid with new asphalt to finish level.
The type of pothole repair Mr Pothole will complete will depend on the severity of damage and your budget.
Why is new asphalt a different colour to the existing surface?
Your existing asphalt surface has weathered over time as a result of exposure to the elements and vehicle traffic, and as a result has a faded appearance when compared to freshly laid asphalt. Just as paint and fabrics fade over time, your new asphalt will as well.
How long after my asphalt driveway repair until I can drive on it?
You can drive on your new asphalt straight away! Where required, Mr Pothole will use yellow sand to assist in binding and protecting the surface. Please note, internal forklifts have solid rubber wheels designed for use on concrete pads only. Using an internal forklift on asphalt surfaces will cause damage, and new asphalt is most vulnerable to these type of wheels.
What is the different between bitumen and asphalt?
Bitumen and asphalt are terms sometimes used interchangeably within our industry, however there is a difference. Bitumen is the tar-like material used in the repair process and asphalt is used to describe the final product. Asphalt can also be referred to as tarmac or pavement.
Can I reuse my road base to reduce cost?
Our qualified staff will assess the sustainability of any existing road base, re-use and re-compact where possible, before completing bitumen repair.If there is too much sand or other debris mixed in with existing road base, it will be boxed out and new road base will be added. This is to create the most solid foundation and ensure the longevity of your asphalt and bitumen driveway or repairs in Perth. If you are unsure, Mr Pothole are happy to provide a site inspected free quote to assess prior to bitumen/asphalt repairs being completed.
What materials are used in an asphalt repair?
Bitumen is mixed with binders, rock, sand, and various additives. It is laid while hot and sticky, and then compacted. The final product is called bitumen or asphalt. Other key materials used to complete asphalt repairs, include road base and emulsion. Road base is used to create a solid foundation for the bitumen to be laid on. Emulsion is the ‘sticky’ component that binds the bitumen to the road base.
How much to asphalt driveways cost to repair?
Cost will be determined based on the size of your asphalt driveway, the degree of damage, the condition of the foundation level (road base), the colour of the bitumen, and the thickness of the asphalt required. In addition, cost will vary depending on whether your asphalt driveway needs repair (and the degree of damage to be repaired) or whether you want to install an entirely new asphalt driveway. Mr Pothole has standard pricing which will be customised depending on the above. To get an accurate indication of what your asphalt driveways going to cost we are happy to visit your home and provide a no obligation free quote.
How much does bitumen repairs cost?
There is no set price for bitumen driveway repairs. Cost will depend on the type of asphalt repair, the size of the area to be repaired, the condition of the existing bitumen, and the colour and thickness of new bitumen required. To receive a more accurate idea of how much your bitumen driveways going to cost, Mr Pothole can visit your home or office to provide a no obligation free quote.
What is asphalt crazing?
Crazing is when bitumen or asphalt has a shattered appearance. It can be caused by the foundation/base level that expands and contracts, causing the top level of bitumen or asphalt to also move and therefore shatter. Crazing can also be caused by repetitive wear, such as heavy trucks turning their wheels on the asphalt surface.
What is the difference between Asphalt and Bitumen?
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, bitumen and asphalt are actually different products.
In general, bitumen is the liquid binder that holds asphalt together. A bitumen-sealed surface is a layer of bitumen sprayed and then covered with an aggregate. This is then generally repeated to give a two-coat seal.
Asphalt is produced in a plant that heats, dries and mixes aggregate, bitumen and sand into a composite. This is then installed across a surface, for example an asphalt driveway.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of Asphalt?
Benefits:
Durable with a long life span of 20 + years.
Asphalt is aesthetically smooth and consistent in appearance.
Asphalt is generally installed as a thick layer of at least 25-40 mm, which makes it’s the most suitable surface for high-volume traffic surfaces.
Energy efficient -reduces friction between tire and car, which in turns means better fuel economy and a reduction of carbon dioxide emission, as well as a quieter surface to drive on.
Safer than most pavement options- asphalt gets a smoother and more skid-resistant surface making asphalt a safer option.
Reduced wear and tear on vehicles and tires.
Disadvantages:
Asphalt is more expensive to install compared to bitumen.
Requires a well-prepared surface before installation. Mr Pothole always use compacted road base, and will assess the quality of a pre-existing base works prior to asphalt installation to ensure longevity of the asphalt surface.
Extreme hot temperatures can affect the asphalt negatively and make it go soft.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of Asphalt?
Benefits:
Bitumen is cheaper and quicker to install compared to asphalt.
Can be recycled instead of going to landfill.
Disadvantages:
The loose rocks on bitumen pavements can wear down tires more easily and make the driving experience a noisier one.
Not recommended for aesthetic purposes being a rough surface.
Bitumen is less durable than asphalt (bitumen can last 5-10 years on a low-volume traffic road).
Bitumen generally is laid with a thickness of 10-20mm, and therefore has a shorter lifespan than asphalt.
Extreme weather and improper weather conditions tend to make bituminous pavement slick and soft.
A bitumen surface still requires road base preparation prior installation.
Can cause pollution to soil and groundwater.
Why does Mr Pothole choose asphalt over bitumen?
Mr Pothole are the Asphalt Repair Specialists in Perth.
While bitumen is cheaper to install, over the lifespan of a surface asphalt is the more cost efficient option in the long run. An asphalt surface is installed to last the distance and only requires periodic maintenance, which saves both time and money. Asphalt is the most commonly used pavement method.
Whether you are resurfacing a driveway, installing an asphalt car park, or fixing potholes in an existing surface, asphalt is a worthwhile investment that will last the test of time.?
Any other questions?
Contact Mr Pothole today for a FREE no obligation quote. Call us on 08) 9359 1665, email at sales@mrpothole.com.au, or enter details via the Contact Us form.