Community Corner

What Causes Potholes?

It's all about the moisture when it comes to the car-damaging craters.

When you are driving along trying to look out for potholes and avoid them as much as possible, the thought of how they actually get there probably doesn't cross the mind. 

So let's put that little mystery to rest, even though that knowledge won't exactly re-inflate your flat tire.

A Google search brought up some info from the Summit County Engineer's Office in Ohio. According to the site, potholes are caused by the expansion and contraction of water after it has entered into the ground under the pavement.

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If it has a chance to freeze, it will take up more space under the pavement, and the pavement will expand, bend, and crack, which weakens the material pavement. Then when ice melts, the pavement contracts and leaves gaps or voids in the surface under the pavement, where water can get in and be trapped. If the water freezes and thaws over and over, the pavement will weaken and continue cracking.

Today's entry is one of several located along Roberts Road, just east of Marian Road. It's just the one, lonely spot, so you can probably straddle it with the wheels, but there are a few other spots along Roberts  that don't offer that option, so stay alert.

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