Page 13 - Intra Muros May Issue 2025

ESTATE NEWS

FROM THE OPERATIONS TEAM

Four reasons why pothole repairs are crucial

Potholes occur as a result of two • Conduct ongoing road maintenance
factors: on all road surfaces.
1. They are caused by the exact science • Reduce unnatural water flow (from
that makes a can or a tin of soda explode swimming pool water, fountain
in your freezer – the expansion and discharges, etc.) onto the roadways
contraction of water. Groundwater gets and streets.
under the roadway, expands when cold • Prevent water from pooling on
or frozen, and contracts when it melts. roadways by directing or controlling
The expansion bends and weakens the water off the roadways into
the tar, and the contraction leaves stormwater gulleys or drains.
gaps behind where the pavement
can collapse and create a hole. This is iii. Pothole repairs improve pavement
why potholes multiply in spring and appeal
summer. Unrepaired potholes can grow and The repairing of potholes will result
2. They occur when groundwater or multiply because of ongoing traffic and in more appealing pavements and
rain seeps into cracks in the tarred usage, resulting in even more expensive walkways. The sight of potholes in
road’s surface, weakening the road residential road repair projects having the road detracts from the estate’s
foundation. Vehicles drive over these to be done, during which resurfacing aesthetic appeal, which could affect
areas, compressing the water into the and road-foundation rebuilds will be property values.
confined space, forcing water under required.
pressure in all directions and causing iv. Repairs ensure safer navigation
the originally cracked tar surface The small cost of preventive Potholes are not only ugly but also
to further break away due to the maintenance today will provide you dangerous. They can cause damage
pressurised water. with substantial savings in the future. to vehicles as well as potential trip-
and-fall accidents to pedestrians and
Pothole repairs are crucial because: Here are some ways we at Silver Lakes cyclists.
i. They prevent further damage to road can prolong our roadway life:
surfaces • Repair current and new potholes Walters Noordman
One pothole can cause damage to an speedily. Operations Manager
entire roadway. Here are three things
to consider:
• Water is the root cause of potholes.
• Existing potholes let more water
get in under the sub-surface of the
roadway.
• Repairing potholes will prevent
the formation of larger potholes
and more substantial tar roadway
damage.

ii. Repairs reduce bigger costs in the long
run
It can be tempting to ignore a couple
of small potholes, but those small
savings will end up costing you plenty
eventually. Remember, one pothole
can lead to another.

INTRAMUROS MAY 2025 | 11