Repair guide
When Cold Patch Is Not the Right Repair
Cold patch can fill certain potholes and damaged areas; it cannot correct every cause of pavement failure. The shape of the hole is only part of the decision.
What to do
- Look beyond the hole for widespread alligator cracking, settlement, heaving, edge collapse, or repeated failure.
- Check whether water collects, flows through the damage, or appears to be eroding material below it.
- Consider the consequence of failure: public traffic, steep grades, accessibility routes, and commercial areas raise the stakes.
- Review whether the selected product explicitly supports the repair type and size.
- Ask an asphalt or civil professional to evaluate structural, drainage, or extensive pavement problems.
Practical notes
A recurring pothole often signals a condition that a surface refill has not resolved.
Crack fillers, cold patch, overlays, and base reconstruction serve different purposes.
Block off damage that presents an immediate trip or vehicle hazard.
Common mistakes
- Using pothole patch as a resurfacer
- Filling over unstable base material
- Ignoring drainage
- Promising a permanent or structurally safe result from a visual guess
Limits and professional help
This guide cannot classify a specific site through text alone.
For repair-specific visual guidance, use the Patcher app; for structural uncertainty, use a qualified professional.
Related guides
Measure your repair in Patcher.
Open the iPhone app for scan-based measurement and repair-specific guidance.
Download PatcherSources
- FHWA — Materials and Procedures for Repair of Potholes in Asphalt-Surfaced Pavements
- QUIKRETE — Product FAQs
Product instructions can change. Confirm the current package, technical data sheet, and safety data for the material you use.