Alligator Cracking in Asphalt
When cracks join up, the base is the problem
Alligator cracking — a pattern of joined cracks that looks like crocodile skin — usually means the base under the asphalt is weak or wet. Fine cracking can be sealed with Rubberised Crack Filler; once pieces are loose, remove them, rebuild the base and patch with Asphalt in a Bag.
By the Permanent Pothole Solutions team · Updated 26 October 2026
Left alone, alligator cracking breaks up into potholes as traffic loosens the pieces and water gets underneath.
Choosing the repair
- Tight, fine cracks: seal with Rubberised Crack Filler to keep water out
- Loose or moving pieces: cut out the damaged area, rebuild the base with compacted sand and stone, then patch with 10 Gauge Mix
- Large areas: the pavement may need rehabilitation — see road rehabilitation
10 Gauge Mix
View product →Surface problems guideCommon Asphalt & Bitumen Problems
Read the guide →Fix the cause, not just the hole
Nearly every asphalt failure starts with water getting under the surface. Seal cracks while they’re small with Rubberised Crack Filler, repair broken areas with a dense, well-compacted patch, and rebuild the base wherever it has washed out.
Choosing the right gauge
| Mix | Compacted lift | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Gauge | 12.5–20mm | Shallow repairs and fine finishes (made to order) |
| 7 Gauge | 17.5–28mm | Driveways, footpaths, shallow potholes |
| 10 Gauge | 25–40mm | All-purpose pothole and road repairs |
| 14 Gauge | 35–56mm | Deeper potholes and heavy-duty repairs |
Coverage at a glance
- 15kg bag/bucket ≈ 0.13 m² at 50mm
- 20kg bag/bucket ≈ 0.17 m² at 50mm
- 1 tonne bulk bag ≈ 8.7 m² at 50mm
Need an exact number? Use the Asphalt Calculator.
Why Asphalt in a Bag
- Permanent. Expands and contracts with the road surface, so the patch moves with the pavement instead of breaking away.
- Cures on impact. Curing is activated by compaction — tamp it or roll it and it sets.
- Bonds to anything. Adheres to asphalt, concrete, steel and even wood.
- Any weather. Apply from -26°C to 49°C, in rain, or straight into a pothole full of water.
- No tack coat. No pre-coating or priming. Open, pour, compact.
- Traffic-ready. Application is up to five times faster, and it can take traffic immediately.
Related
Alligator Cracking in Asphalt FAQs
Why do potholes keep coming back?
Can I fix cracks and potholes with the same product?
What if the base underneath has failed?
Fix it once.
Fix it permanently.
Talk to our team about Asphalt in a Bag, Rubberised Crack Filler and bulk supply.