Infrared Pothole Repair - the Answer to the Pothole Problem in Sudbury

Sudbury weather takes a toll on the roadways and paved areas. When moisture caused by rain and snow seeps into pavement cracks, the supporting soil below starts to weaken. In the dead of winter, dropping temperatures cause this water to freeze, and as the ground expands, the pavement rises. In warmer weather, the ground falls.

This constant movement leads to the dreaded potholes plaguing the roadways and parking lots of Sudbury. The good news is that newer technology improves the techniques used to repair potholes. Here’s how infrared technology is making waves in the pothole repair industry.

How Does Infrared Technology Help with Pothole Repairs?

Infrared or infrared radiation is a specific light wavelength you can’t see with the human eye. However, it can be felt as infrared radiation generates heat. This heat is used for infrared road repairs, making damaged asphalt pliable for reuse.

As mentioned above, the freeze-thaw cycle in Sudbury wreaks havoc on paved surfaces. With the constant rising and falling of asphalt caused by fluctuating temperatures, the asphalt eventually crumbles, forming dangerous potholes. The old-school approach to repairs removes the crumbled asphalt and replaces it with a completely new surface. Unfortunately, this method takes more time and costs more money.

The heat of infrared rays heats damaged asphalt from the inside out one layer at a time. This process creates a workable surface that allows workers to reuse the damaged asphalt to repair and smooth out the pothole.

What Does the Infrared Pothole Repair Process Involve?

Although the level of damage impacts the process, in most cases, infrared pothole repair includes the following steps:

• The pothole is inspected to determine the level of damage.
• Debris, such as sand, loose aggregates, and water, are removed.
• The surface is cleaned.
• Infrared is used to heat the surface to 325°, which takes 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the asphalt depth and outside temperatures.
• The softened asphalt is raked to remove any remaining loose aggregates.
• A rejuvenator is applied to reactivate the asphalt oils lost through oxidation.
• Additional material is added to help level the hole.
• The area is raked and graded to level the road.
• The new surface is compacted using a multi-ton vibratory plate/roller.
• The infrared pothole repair process is much quicker than traditional methods, taking about 30 minutes from start to finish.