Parking Lot Maintenance Overview
Potholes in commercial parking lots create direct liability exposure — vehicle damage claims are common, and trip-and-fall incidents involving pothole edges are a significant risk for Ontario property owners.
Potholes form when water enters cracks, freezes and expands the base material, and then melts — creating a void. Vehicle traffic then breaks through the weakened surface. Ontario's extreme freeze-thaw cycles make pothole formation a perennial challenge.
Why Regular Maintenance Matters
Temporary cold-patch repair: asphalt cold patch material is available from hardware stores and is applied manually to fill the pothole. This is a temporary fix only — cold patch loosens within weeks under traffic in most Ontario conditions. Acceptable only as an immediate safety measure.
Permanent infrared repair: the gold standard for pothole repair. An infrared heater softens the surrounding asphalt, the pothole is raked out and rejuvenated, new asphalt is added, and the entire area is compacted together as one seamless patch. Much more durable than cut-and-patch methods.
Commercial Parking Solutions
Cut-and-patch: the pothole area is saw-cut to clean edges, the failed base material is removed, base is compacted and re-graded, and hot-mix asphalt is installed in lifts and compacted. Proper execution with correct asphalt thickness delivers a long-lasting repair.
Ignoring potholes isn't just a maintenance failure — it's a liability issue. Document all potholes, repair them promptly, and keep records of repair dates in case of damage or injury claims.
D&D Commercial Services provides permanent pothole repair for commercial parking lots throughout the KW Region using infrared and cut-and-patch methods.