Report before you fix
Have you already tried to report the problem?
If not, click here to learn how to report it.
Already reported and still no luck?
Click here to escalate the issue to your ward councillor.
Communities acting together can make things happen. Click here to discover how.
Still no success? The info below will help you fix it yourself.
DISCLAIMER: Check with your local authority on legal ways to fix problems yourself. Fixlocal cannot take responsibility for any problems that may arise in fixing it yourself.
Understanding potholes
Potholes happen because of bad weather, lots of cars on the road, and poor road care. Changes in temperature cause cracks in the road, which get worse with rain, making potholes. Unlike sinkholes, which are bigger and need experts to fix, potholes can often be fixed by people with the right materials and tools.
To get help on fixing potholes, you can find out more here. [Research link coming soon]
Materials and tools needed
Please source the tools from your local hardware store.
Materials:
- Road repair material: To fill the pothole.
- Small stones or gravel: To make the patch stronger.
- Asphalt binder: To hold the patch together.
- Quick-fix road material: For quick fixes. (Tar in a bag, ready for use)
- Asphalt sealant: To stop water from getting in.
- Safety gear: Gloves, goggles, and masks to keep you safe.
Tools:
- Spade: To take out bits from the pothole.
- Broom: To clear loose materials.
- Compactor: To press down the patch.
- Asphalt rake: To spread the patch evenly.
- Trowel: For smoothing the patch surface.
- Sharp cutting tool: To cut patch material to size.
- Safety cones: To keep you safe from cars while working.
Steps to fix a pothole
- Mark the edge of the pothole with chalk or spray paint.
- Take out all loose bits from the hole.
- Make the bottom of the pothole as flat as you can.
- Do not use concrete to fix tarred roads.
- Put a first layer of tar in the pothole.
- Spray a bitumen mix into the hole.
- Add another layer of tar.
- Use a compactor to press down the repairs.
- Put a powder sealant to stop water from getting in.
Click here to watch a step-by-step video.
Get your community involved
Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.
Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.
How to set up a community group
How to start a residents' association
How to set up a community policing forum
How to set up a neighbourhood watch
How to organise community action
How to use media to create pressure for change
Know your rights – how local government works
It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.
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