Potholes do not announce themselves. They grow quietly through a northern BC winter and appear in your lot right when the snow melts. Here is what causes them, why speed matters, and how a proper repair keeps them from coming back.
What causes potholes in parking lots?
Freeze-thaw cycles, the specialty of a Prince George winter. The process unfolds the same way every time:
- Cracks develop in pavement from wear, tear, and weather
- Moisture gets into the cracks, usually rain or melted snow
- Temperatures drop; the water freezes, expands, and pressures the pavement
- During thaw, the ice melts and leaves voids beneath the surface
- Repeated traffic collapses the weakened pavement into a pothole
In summer, constant water erosion under the asphalt combined with traffic does the same damage on a slower clock. Stopping the water early with crack sealing is the cheapest prevention there is.
Why does fixing potholes promptly matter?
Because every week of delay makes the repair bigger and the risk worse.
- Prevent liability: potholes are a tripping hazard for pedestrians and a damage risk for vehicles
- Save money: small potholes cost less to fix; delay lets water erode the sub-base and the price climbs
- Protect your brand: customers notice a rough lot, and some of them complain about it on social media
- Extend pavement life: prompt patching protects the pavement around the failure
Got a divot turning into a crater? Free inspection, clear quote, no hidden fees.
Request a Free QuoteHow do we fix potholes the right way?
Five steps, built for long-term performance instead of a quick cosmetic fill.
1. Assessment and quoting
A free site inspection assesses the damage, then you get a clear quote with scope and timelines. No hidden fees.
2. Cut and clean
We cut out the failed asphalt and clean the area thoroughly so new material bonds strongly to old.
3. Base repair, if needed
If the sub-base is compromised, we repair it before patching. Skipping this step is why cheap patches become potholes again.
4. Patch the pothole
Hot mix asphalt handles most repairs; it is durable and stands up to freeze-thaw cycling. Premium cold-applied alternatives let us patch year-round, including winter.
5. Compaction and clean-up
High-grade rollers compact the patch, the site gets professionally cleaned, and time-stamped photo documentation is available for your records.
We also offer infrared patching for worn asphalt, cold mix for winter emergencies, and preventive maintenance plans that stop the next pothole before it forms. See the full asphalt repair and pothole patching service.
Who fixes potholes in Prince George and northern BC?
We do, for commercial and municipal clients across the region. From Prince George to Quesnel and beyond, we address the root cause rather than the surface symptom. Whether it is a single divot or a lot full of hazards, request a quote and let’s fix it before it gets worse.