By Sandy Quadros Bowles, Editor 

Buckle up: It’s pothole season.

And thanks to the heavy snow that blanketed the area this winter, pothole season arrived earlier than usual, AAA Northeast reports.

As plows pounded the roads and pavements cracked from freeze and thaw cycles, drivers are in for a bumpy ride this spring.

Natick is no exception. In one week alone, March 9 to 12, used more than 37 tons of host asphalt to repair the potholes. 

That’s a lot of asphalt. The town reports this tonnage is equivalent to seven adult African elephants.

Potholes form when water seeps under the roadway and freezes during cold temperatures. The frozen water expands, creating ice under the pavement. 

As the ice thaws, a void is created under the pavement. Traffic pushes the pavement into the void and eventually creates a pothole

Natick DPW crews use either cold patch or hot mix to repair the potholes. 

A cold patch is a temporary asphalt filler and is not intended as a permanent repair. Cold patches are best used in emergency repairs during wet, winter conditions.

Hot patches is the use of hot asphalt that is rolled into the pothole. Under the right conditions, this should serve as a semi-permanent repair. 

These longer-term fixes are done during dry, warm weather.

Driving into a pothole can be costly: Potholes routinely cause major damage to wheels, tires and suspension components. 

Exceptionally large potholes can cause a vehicle to bottom out and result in severe damage to the undercarriage. Potholes can also contribute to crashes if drivers lose control after driving into one or swerve trying to avoid them.

An estimated 44 million U.S. drivers were hit with pothole repair bills in 2022, according to a recent AAA survey. In spring that year, AAA responded to 1.9 million tire-related roadside assistance calls across the U.S. Many of these calls stemmed from pothole damage.

To avoid pothole damage, AAA recommends the following:

Adjust your driving habits. Slow down and increase the space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. This gives you more time to spot a pothole and react to avoid it.

Avoid driving into a puddle. Large puddles could hide deep potholes underneath the surface of the water.

Be extra alert on days following heavy rain. Rainwater can rush into cracks and grooves and lift broken segments of pavement.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure, usually indicated on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb. Low-profile tires are increasingly popular, but they’re more vulnerable to blowouts and damage.

If you can’t avoid hitting a pothole, try the following:

Lift your foot off the gas and try to steer as straight as possible to prevent suspension damage. Slow down but avoid braking hard as you go over the pothole as that would compress your suspension and put extra force on tires.

Pay attention to new or unusual noises or vibrations after driving through a pothole. If something feels off, it could be a sign of damage. Take your vehicle to a trusted repair facility for a thorough inspection.

Consider purchasing a separate wheel and tire coverage plan.

Want to report a pothole in Natick? Visit natickma.gov/1188/Report-a-Concern.

There’s something else Natick DPW crews suggest you do.

Be patient. Filling potholes takes time. Crews are working to smooth out the problem, one pothole at a time.