--- title: "Patch Potholes Before Winter | Parking Lots Plus" description: "Winter's freeze-thaw cycle makes potholes worse fast. Learn why fall is the best time to patch and protect your parking lot." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Patch Potholes Before Winter", "description": "Winter's freeze-thaw cycle makes potholes worse fast. Learn why fall is the best time to patch and protect your parking lot.", "url": "https://www.nwaparkinglotsplus.com/the-importance-of-patching-potholes-before-winter-arrives", "image": "/images/8688118565649498524.jpg", "datePublished": "2025-06-15", "dateModified": "2025-06-15", "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Erington", "jobTitle": "Owner & General Manager", "url": "https://www.nwaparkinglotsplus.com/blog/author/david", "image": "https://www.nwaparkinglotsplus.com/assets/david-erington-CWup7Vcn.jpg", "worksFor": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Parking Lots Plus" } } ], "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Parking Lots Plus", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.nwaparkinglotsplus.com/images/logo-1.png" } } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://www.nwaparkinglotsplus.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Patch Potholes Before Winter", "item": "https://www.nwaparkinglotsplus.com/the-importance-of-patching-potholes-before-winter-arrives" } ] } ] --- [Request Estimate](/estimate) [![Parking Lots Plus](/images/PLP-Logo.png)](/) [](https://www.facebook.com/Parkinglotsplus/)[](https://www.instagram.com/nwaparkinglotsplus/)[(479) 547-1111](tel:4795471111) [Home](/) [Commercial](/services) [Residential](/driveway-paving) [Areas](/areas-served) [About](/about)[Our Projects](/our-projects)[Blog](/blog)[Contact](/contact) [Free Estimate](/estimate) [![Parking Lots Plus](/images/PLP-Logo.png)](/)[(479) 547-1111](tel:4795471111) [All Posts](/blog) Seasonal Tips June 2025 5 min read By [David Erington](/blog/author/david) # Patch Potholes Before Winter 1. [](/) 2. [Blog](/blog) 3. Patch Potholes Before Winter ![Patch Potholes Before Winter - Parking Lots Plus asphalt blog post](/images/8688118565649498524.jpg) As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, winter is just around the corner. For property owners across Northwest Arkansas, that means one critical maintenance task shouldn't be overlooked: pothole repair. ## Why Winter Makes Potholes Worse The freeze-thaw cycle is the single biggest cause of pothole expansion. Here's what happens: 1. Water seeps into existing cracks 2. Temperatures drop below freezing 3. Water expands as it freezes, forcing the crack open wider 4. When it thaws, the gap is larger—and can hold more water 5. Repeat through dozens of freeze-thaw cycles each winter What starts as a small crack or shallow depression can become a full pavement failure by spring. ## The Hidden Costs of Waiting Delaying pothole repairs doesn't save money—it costs more: - **Vehicle damage liability**: Potholes damage tires, wheels, and suspensions. Property owners can face liability claims. - **Larger repair area**: A $200 patch job can become a $2,000 full-depth repair if water reaches the base course. - **ADA violations**: Uneven surfaces near accessible routes create compliance issues. ## What to Expect from Professional Pothole Repair Professional repairs use either cold-patch or hot-mix asphalt depending on the size and depth of the failure. The process includes: 1. Removing loose material and squaring the edges 2. Cleaning and tacking the repair area 3. Filling with asphalt mix in lifts 4. Compacting to match surrounding grade ## Act Before the First Freeze In Northwest Arkansas, hard freezes typically begin in November. Schedule your pothole repairs in September or October to ensure proper material curing before temperatures drop. [![David Erington - Owner & General Manager](/assets/david-erington-CWup7Vcn.jpg) Written by ### David Erington Owner & General Manager, Parking Lots Plus Owner and General Manager of Parking Lots Plus. MBA and former banker turned asphalt contractor, leading commercial paving, sealcoating, and concrete projects across Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma since 2023. ](/blog/author/david) ## More Articles [![How Often Should You Sealcoat Arkansas Commercial Asphalt Lots?](/images/Sealcoat-blog.jpg) ### How Often Should You Sealcoat Arkansas Commercial Asphalt Lots? Read ](/how-often-should-you-sealcoat-arkansas-commercial-asphalt-lots)[![Asphalt Maintenance Scheduling for Church and School Parking Lots](/images/genesis-church-35.jpg) ### Asphalt Maintenance Scheduling for Church and School Parking Lots Read ](/asphalt-maintenance-scheduling-for-church-and-school-parking-lots)[![Commercial Pothole Repair Options Compared for Property Managers](/images/IMG_0520.jpg) ### Commercial Pothole Repair Options Compared for Property Managers Read ](/commercial-pothole-repair-options-compared-for-property-managers)[![Fixing Arkansas Parking Lot Drainage Problems Before Asphalt Fails](/images/IMG_0672-scaled.jpg) ### Fixing Arkansas Parking Lot Drainage Problems Before Asphalt Fails Read ](/fixing-arkansas-parking-lot-drainage-problems-before-asphalt-fails) ### Our Services [Commercial Sealcoating](/services/commercial-maintenance/commercial-asphalt-sealcoating)[Parking Lot Striping](/services/commercial-maintenance/parking-lot-striping)[Asphalt Repair](/services/asphalt-repair)[Crack Sealing](/services/commercial-maintenance/asphalt-crack-sealing)[View All Services](/services) ### Service Areas [Fayetteville, AR](/areas-served/fayetteville-ar)[Rogers, AR](/areas-served/rogers-ar)[Bentonville, AR](/areas-served/bentonville-ar)[Fort Smith, AR](/areas-served/fort-smith-ar)[View All Areas](/areas-served) ![Parking Lots Plus](/images/PLP-Logo.png) Parking Lots Plus offers reliable parking lot repair services and commercial asphalt maintenance across Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Based in Fayetteville, we serve the broader region with high-quality sealcoating, crack sealing, and striping. 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