Question 1

What is an asphalt patch repair?

Accepted Answer

An asphalt patch repair is simply the process of fixing a small area of damaged asphalt. This may be on a road, paved area, car park, airport runway, port or docklands or where joints or utility trenches need fixing. In fact, anywhere there is asphalt. There are various different methods to filling the repair site using a variety of different machines, tools and indeed asphalt.

Question 2

How should I choose a road or asphalt repair company?

Accepted Answer

You should look at all of your options with a road or asphalt repair company to ensure that the company has a suitable reputation and can fulfil your specific requirements. Ask yourself some specific questions as to what your problem is and your desired outcomes, and is the company you are looking at offering the right solution. But be careful, sometimes things aren't necessarily what they seem on the surface.

Some key considerations might be:
Are they environmentally friendly and can they lower my CO2 emissions to meet my targets?
Can they prove what they say?
Is the solution permanent?
How much waste is being produced from the process?
How will this impact on the road users, neighbourhood or surroundings?
Is it really a cost effective and efficient process?

Question 3

What are the best options for pothole repair?

Accepted Answer

There are a wide variety of options when it comes to pothole repair and you should consider all of them to ensure you are making the right decision. Set yourself some specific questions or criteria as to what you need and want from a provider and see if they can answer them for you.

Question 4

How does thermal road repair work?

Accepted Answer

Thermal road repair is a common repair technique. Our process uses patented thermal infrared heaters to heat up the affected area ready for resurfacing. This causes a homogenous bond between the defect and surrounding area, making it a seamless repair. This means there are no joints that can allow for water ingress and failure of the repair, unlike other methods.

Question 5

When should I use a pothole repair machine?

Accepted Answer

Potholes can become progressively worse if they are not treated and without the right care and attention, they may end up damaging the vehicles that use the surface. You should use pothole repair as soon as you notice a pothole forming to fix the issues as soon as possible.

Question 6

What are the key things to consider with motorway maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Motorway maintenance is an extremely important sector and without it, you could create dangerous situations. Damage can easily form on roads, so maintaining these roads will help to keep them safe. 
When looking to maintain the road, you will need to consider many factors, not least what is the problem and what's the best solution to fix it?
Some key considerations are not just about the environment or cost but also about safety - safety of the workers. A potential solution that could take a long time means workers are exposed to a potentially hazardous situation for longer. And then there is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) to consider. And finally, will the repair be permanent or is it just going to be a quick fix and a team will have to do it all again?

Question 7

How should I choose between motorway maintenance companies?

Accepted Answer

Choosing between motorway maintenance companies essentially comes down to their reputation and whether they actually offer what you need. As you might expect, some companies are run better than others and have far more positive reviews. And some companies say one thing but the reality is actually another. 
So, choose a company that has a reputation that matches your expectations and question them on what they are saying and how they can back it up.

Question 8

Is the Thermal Road Process really zero waste?

Accepted Answer

Yes! This is at the core of the Thermal Road Repairs (TRR) method. Our patented technology heats up the failed and failing material in and around a pothole or defect, mixes it with new materials if required and then re-compacts the area. Nothing is cut out and taken away.

Question 9

What type of road surface or asphalt does the Thermal Road Repair system work on?

Accepted Answer

The TRR system can be used to repair any asphalt surface layer or asphalt footpath. It can also be used to repair surface dressing and micro asphalt defects. Because it reheats and reuses material already in and around the pothole or defect, only a small amount of additional material is needed. The additional material can be to whatever specification the customer (and road) needs.

Question 10

What depth of pothole or asphalt defect can the Thermal Road Repairs process fix?

Accepted Answer

Although most potholes are between 40mm and 60mm deep, our technology has been proven to work to depths of up to 100mm deep. This is due to the design of the heating system and its controls.

Question 11

What weather can the Thermal Road Repair system be used in?

Accepted Answer

Our technology has been successfully used to fix potholes in almost any weather conditions. If temperatures are lower, the heating time – which is automatically controlled - will be longer. Only very heavy rain stops play.

Question 12

How long does it take to fix a pothole?

Accepted Answer

An average pothole takes 10 minutes to fix. This includes time to: heat up the failed and failing material; add new material and mix everything up with a rake or shovel; compact the area using a roller. As mentioned above, very cold conditions increase the heating time.

Question 13

How many potholes can be fixed in an 8-hour shift?

Accepted Answer

On average, a Thermal Road Repairs unit would fix 75 potholes over an 8-hour shift. This compares to an average 30 potholes using the traditional process.

Question 14

How much does it cost to fix a pothole?

Accepted Answer

Generally, repairs conducted using Thermal Road Repairs technology cost around half that of traditional methods.

Question 15

How do you monitor production?

Accepted Answer

The Thermal Road Repair unit has an in-built app in the cab which can track the vehicle and monitor its operational effectiveness. It can also fault check within the system.

Question 16

What happens if something goes wrong with the equipment?

Accepted Answer

Internet-of-Things (IOT) technology means that we can remotely monitor equipment and diagnose problems. Sometimes our technicians notice problems before our customers do, for instance if our heaters are not charging because their solar panels are in the shade.

Question 17

How much carbon does your process produce?

Accepted Answer

Thermal Road Repairs has partnered up with Asphalt IQ to prove how much carbon we save. 
The Thermal Road Repairs process produces just 0.5kgM2 of carbon compared to Traditional methods which produce a staggering 3.49kgM2 for the same work. That's a saving of over 85%.

Question 18

Why does the Thermal Road Repair process produce so much less carbon than other methods?

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons: 
there is no waste material to remove and take off site,
very little top-up material is needed, 
everything is carried in the one unit, 
solar energy is used to power the infrared heaters,
and our heaters also use bio fuels.

Question 19

How noisy is the Thermal Road Repair process?

Accepted Answer

The noisiest part of our process is when the reheated and remixed asphalt is rolled and compacted. That produces 75dB, equivalent to a vacuum cleaner. Traditional methods are far noisier; at 125dB, jack hammer is noisier than a rock concert or a shot gun and goes far beyond the safe limits of 85dB. 
Check out our Infographic under our Press section for more information.

Question 20

What are the HAVS risks?

Accepted Answer

The risk of our process contributing to hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is very low since the only vibrating equipment used is the roller. This results in 2.5m/ s2 for around 10 minutes each hour. A traditional process would add in around 30 minutes of jack hammering at 26m/ s2. 
Check out our infographic within our Press section for more information.

Question 21

How long will the repair last?

Accepted Answer

Because the asphalt around a pothole or defect is heated, it becomes sticky again and bonds with the remixed material in the hole. This means that when it cools down, there is no joint. Hence the repair is ‘permanent’; it will last as long as the surrounding road.

Question 22

Are there any sustainable road repair solutions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer sustainable road repair solutions using our patented thermal infrared technology. The thermal process allows us to recycle and rework the existing road surface, significantly reducing waste and carbon emissions. By avoiding full excavation and using less new material, our method provides an environmentally responsible way to deliver strong, seamless repairs that last longer and minimise disruption.

Question 23

What does pothole repair training involve?

Accepted Answer

Our pothole repair training involves hands-on instruction in using our thermal infrared equipment safely and effectively. Trainees learn to prepare surfaces, operate the machinery, and apply repairs that blend seamlessly into the road. We also cover essential health and safety practices, ensuring each participant understands how to deliver permanent pothole repairs with confidence and efficiency.

Question 24

How is an asphalt patching machine operated?

Accepted Answer

Our asphalt patching machines are operated using infrared heat technology, which reheats the existing tarmac to working temperature. Once softened, the area can be reworked and fresh asphalt added as needed. This allows us to seamlessly blend the new and old material without cutting or joints, producing a strong, even finish that’s both efficient and long-lasting.

Question 25

How are motorway repairs performed safely?

Accepted Answer

Motorway repairs are carried out with strict safety protocols, including advanced traffic management and careful planning to reduce disruption. We often work at night to minimise traffic impact. Our thermal road repair system allows us to complete repairs quickly and efficiently, reducing the time workers spend on the carriageway and ensuring a safer environment for both teams and drivers.

Question 26

When are car park repairs required?

Accepted Answer

Car park repairs are required when cracks, surface wear, or potholes start to appear, creating trip hazards and potential vehicle damage. If left untreated, these issues can worsen over time. Our thermal road repair process is ideal for car parks, allowing us to restore damaged areas with minimal disruption and a seamless finish that’s durable and cost-effective.

Question 27

Which pothole repair equipment should I choose?

Accepted Answer

We offer a range of thermal pothole repair equipment, from utilities heaters and joint heaters to complete systems, all offering speed, sustainability, and reliability. Our solutions are designed to meet the needs of diverse industries. Whether you're a council, contractor, or private operator, we’ll help you find the right equipment for your needs. Get in touch with our team for expert advice on which system best suits your needs and project requirements.

+44 (0)1270 875995

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