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Who to call and what to know about repairing potholes and sinkholes onpavement surfaces such as parking lots and roadways
As a driver, there are few things that will make your heart sink faster than the jarring sensation of your tire hitting a pothole.
Unfortunately, due to their prevalence, pothole damage to vehicles is often considered an awful, inescapable rite of passage for most seasoned drivers in the GTA.
Everybody’s got a story.
Less common – but wider, deeper, and scarier – are sinkholes, which inevitably evolve from potholes that went ignored, or open suddenly as the result of years of underground wear and tear. These road failures are hazardous to people and vehicles alike and can become emergencies very quickly, so they should be tended to as soon as possible.
That said, here’s what you need to know about having repair work done on potholes and sinkholes.
Potholes and sinkholes 101
Where do potholes come from?
They happen when water seeps through the top layer of asphalt through cracks in the road, which often appear over time due to ongoing vehicle traffic and erosion. When the moisture freezes, it expands and forces sections of the pavement to shift, eventually disintegrating the asphalt or moving it out of place. Potholes appear more frequently in the spring, after the freeze/thaw cycles of winter.
Road teams will assess the site to determine if they can repair cracks and potholes individually, which is typically the most cost-effective approach depending on the amount of damage. Otherwise, they may suggest more extensive repairs.
Sinkholes form in a similar way, but on a larger scale. They can be caused by the movement of too much or too little water, eroding away subsurface until the top layer of asphalt fails, often causing sudden emergencies.
How quickly will repairs happen?
Under Ontario road maintenance standards and regulations, potholes on major highways that are eight centimetres deep or more must be repaired within four days.
On a minor highway, potholes under eight centimetres need to be repaired within seven days. Municipalities have 30 days to repair eight-centimetre potholes on local highways.
There are no specific regulations around road repair timelines on private property. However, you may be found liable for damages if someone is injured, or their vehicle is damaged by a pothole, so the sooner you address the matter, the safer you stay.
Who should you call?
property – this will determine who you need to call to conduct repairs.
If the pothole or sinkhole is on a public road, expressway, or bike lane, your first point of contact should be your municipality. You can find a public works number online, call 311 or, in some cases, submit a repair request through an online portal.
For potholes and sinkholes on your own private property, whether commercial or residential, you will need to call in a professional road repair team, like the Forest Contractors Ltd. to assess and address the damage. In the time before they can make the repair, it’s a good idea to mark the pothole with pylons to warn drivers to steer clear.
If you need a sinkhole or pothole repaired, you can give the Forest Contractors Ltd. emergency line a call 24/7 at 416.524.3000 or email estimating@forestgroup.ca. They are ready to restore your pavement with expert repairs for smooth, durable surfaces whenever the need arises.