Pothole vs Sinkhole: What’s the Difference?

As a residential or commercial property owner, it’s important to understand the difference between a pothole and a sinkhole.

Both problems require repair, but sinkholes can present a serious threat to people, vehicles, and the property itself.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the key differences between potholes and sinkholes and what you should do if you encounter either on your property.

Key Takeaways

• Potholes form at the surface of the pavement due to water damage, temperature changes, and heavy traffic.
• Sinkholes are caverns that develop underground until the surface eventually collapses.
• Sinkholes can be incredibly dangerous, so you should contact a professional immediately if you suspect one is forming on your property.

What Is a Pothole?

A pothole is a hole in pavement, usually caused by a combination of excess rainwater and temperature fluctuations.

First, rainwater enters the surface through cracks in the pavement.

Then, the water freezes and melts repeatedly as the temperature changes, causing the pavement to expand and contract.

Over time, this movement weakens the surface of the pavement. When exposed to heavy traffic, the asphalt begins to crumble and holes develop in the surface.

What Is a Sinkhole?

A sinkhole is a depression that first forms underneath the ground’s surface. Eventually, the surface opens up to reveal the large hole that lies below.

Sinkholes often form when the ground has no surface drainage and excess water drains directly into the ground. This can happen as a result of heavy rainfall or burst pipes.

As water seeps into the ground, it dissolves and washes away the underlying rock.

The ground above the sinkhole can stay intact for a long time as the cavern underneath grows larger and larger.

Caverns can grow to be tens or even hundreds of feet deep. Eventually, the roof of the cavern will erode and collapse, creating the visible sinkhole.

Types of Sinkholes

There are three main classifications of sinkholes:

1. Dissolution

These sinkholes form when rainwater and storm runoff enter the ground and dissolve the limestone underneath the soil.

This creates openings that the soil settles into, which results in a bowl-shaped depression at the ground’s surface.

2. Cover-subsidence

These sinkholes form in areas where the sediment that covers the bedrock contains a lot of sand.

The sand settles into voids in the limestone, causing a depression in the surface.

3. Cover-collapse

These sinkholes form underneath the ground’s surface and can grow to a large size before the surface suddenly collapses, exposing the massive cavity.

They’re the most catastrophic and dangerous type of sinkhole because they can grow undetected for a long time.

Warning Signs of a Sinkhole

Here are some signs that a sinkhole may be forming under your home, driveway, or yard:

• Round depression in the ground
• Large, deep puddle forming suddenly
• Unexplained patches of dead grass
• Foundation of home settling
• Cracks in walls, door frames, or window frames
• Trees or fences tilting and falling
• Alligator cracks in pavement

Pothole vs. Sinkhole: Key Differences

How to Deal With Potholes in Your Driveway

Potholes can damage your vehicle and create a fall hazard in your driveway. If you notice a pothole forming, it’s important to address it right away.

DIY Pothole Repair

Small driveway potholes can sometimes be repaired as a DIY project.

• First, clean the surface thoroughly with a hose or pressure washer, and remove any vegetation from the area. You can rent a crack cleaning machine to remove loose debris from the pothole.
• Apply cold-pour crackfill mix (this is sufficient for small cracks and potholes). Larger potholes, however, need to be filled with hot crackfill mixture.
• Use a hand tamper to level the surface after applying the crackfill mix.
• Finally, let the driveway cure for 24 hours, and then apply seal coating.

When to Call a Professional

You should call a professional for any potholes or cracks than exceed 1 inch in diameter.

Keep in mind that you may need to rent equipment and purchase supplies for a DIY driveway fix.

It may be better to use these funds to invest in a professional repair instead.

How to Prevent Potholes

Proper driveway maintenance is the key to preventing potholes.

• One of the best things you can do to prevent potholes is ensure proper drainage around your property.
• The gutters and downspouts should be pointed away from your driveway, and your driveway should be sloped correctly to allow for runoff.
• You should also fill and seal cracks as soon as you see them to stop them from developing into larger potholes.

How to Handle Sinkholes in Your Property

A sinkhole on your property needs to be taken very seriously.

Large sinkholes can be a life-threatening danger and can cause extensive damage to your property.

Safety First

If you suspect a sinkhole has formed on your property, always keep a safe distance. The sinkhole could be much larger than it appears.

You should inform your town government right away as they may want to assess the sinkhole themselves and recommend a course of action.

Repairing a Sinkhole

Small sinkholes can sometimes be a DIY repair if they measure less than 1 foot in diameter and are not located near utility lines.

However, we always recommend that homeowners consult with a professional. You may not know how large or deep the sinkhole really is.

Professionals will assess the size of the sinkhole and the surrounding geological conditions to determine what’s needed for repair.

They’ll first apply stabilizing materials to strengthen the surrounding soil.

Then, they’ll fill the sinkhole. The materials used will depend on the natural geology of the area.

Addressing the Cause of the Sinkhole

In addition to filling the sinkhole, you also have to address the source of the problem.

In some cases, a poor drainage system is responsible for a sinkhole developing on a residential property.

Other times, leaky or burst pipes are at fault.

Preventing Sinkholes

Water management is the key to preventing sinkholes on your property.

Your gutters and downspouts should divert water away from your driveway. Consider building trenches along the driveway to help with water runoff.

Catch basin failure is a common cause of sinkholes around residential or commercial structures. You should inspect your catch basins regularly to ensure the water is draining properly.

If your utility pipes are aging, replace them before a catastrophe happens. Be sure to communicate with your utility provider and local government about the project before you schedule any work.

Potholes or Sinkholes on Your Property? Contact Betz Works Today

If you’re concerned about potholes or sinkholes on your property, we’re here to help.

Our team provides professional driveway repair services in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties.

We’ll also help you identify and address the root cause of the damage to prevent the issue from reoccurring.

Contact us today to get your free service quote.

FAQ

Should I fill a sinkhole?

We always recommend you contact a professional to repair a sinkhole on your property.

While you may be able to fill a small sinkhole on your own, it’s difficult to assess the size and condition of a sinkhole without professional equipment and experience.

Are potholes more common in certain climates?

Potholes are more common in colder climates that experience frequent freeze and thaw cycles. The freezing and thawing of water causes the pavement to expand and contract, leading to weakness and damage over time.

Can a pothole turn into a sinkhole?

While potholes can grow to be very large in size, potholes and sinkholes are different formations. Potholes form at the surface of the pavement, and sinkholes develop underground.