01Actual projectPothole
Material has broken away
- Likely cause
- Water, traffic and weakened material have combined to create a local failure.
- Repair approach
- Cut or plane back to sound asphalt, check the layers below and rebuild what has failed.
Visual surface guide
What’s Wrong With Your Tarmac?
Compare six common signs of asphalt failure and understand when a local repair—or something more substantial—may be needed.
Start with the pattern
The visible defect is only part of the story.
The shape of the damage, the condition around it, drainage and vehicle loading all help indicate why an asphalt surface has failed.
Use the photographs below as an initial guide. The repair depth and extent still need to reflect what is actually found on site.
Six common warning signs
Identify the damage.
Match the overall pattern rather than one isolated crack. Several defect types often appear together.
01Actual project
02Crocodile Cracking
Interconnected fatigue cracks
- Likely cause
- Repeated loading or inadequate support has fatigued the asphalt.
- Repair approach
- Severe cracking usually needs removal of the failed area—not simply another layer over the top.
03Fretting
Loose stone and surface loss
- Likely cause
- Age, weathering or wear has broken down the bond within the surface.
- Repair approach
- Minor early wear may have treatment options; deeper fretting normally needs replacement.
04Rutting
Wheel-path deformation
- Likely cause
- Traffic has permanently deformed one or more layers of the construction.
- Repair approach
- Find which layer has moved, then correct the support and finished levels.
05Failed Edge
Cracking beside a verge or joint
- Likely cause
- The edge lacks support, water is entering, or traffic is breaking it away.
- Repair approach
- Trim back to sound material and address edge restraint or drainage as part of the repair.
06Standing Water
Ponding after rainfall
- Likely cause
- A hollow, poor falls or inadequate drainage is preventing water from escaping.
- Repair approach
- Check the levels and drainage first; repeatedly filling the puddle does not fix the cause.
The first photograph is from an Atkinson Surfacing project. Remaining images are realistic visual examples used to help identify typical surface patterns.
One defect can be a patch. A pattern can mean more.
An isolated failure may suit a local repair. The same damage repeated across a car park, yard or access road can indicate wider deterioration and make planned resurfacing the better-value option.
From failed surface to finished repair.
This emergency repair at Oulton Hall shows why the surrounding asphalt matters. The damaged crossing and failed material were treated as one repair area rather than filling only the most obvious hole.
Initial assessment
Not sure which failure you have?
Send the site postcode, approximate dimensions and photographs from close up and further back. We can discuss the likely scope and arrange a survey where needed.