How to Fix a Pothole
A permanent DIY repair in five steps
To fix a pothole permanently, clear out the loose material, pour in a dense-grade cold mix such as Asphalt in a Bag, over-fill slightly, then compact it firmly. There’s no heating, mixing or tack coat, and you can drive on it straight away.
By the Permanent Pothole Solutions team · Updated 26 October 2026
Most potholes start as small cracks. Water gets under the surface, traffic pumps it in and out, and the asphalt breaks away. A good repair seals the hole so water can’t get back in — that’s why compaction matters more than anything else.
What you need
- Asphalt in a Bag — 10 Gauge suits most potholes; 14 Gauge for deeper holes
- A shovel and a stiff broom
- A hand tamper, plate compactor or roller
Step by step
- Clear the hole. Remove loose stones, dirt and broken asphalt. Standing water can stay — the mix displaces it as it’s compacted.
- Build up deep holes. Lay and compact a base course of sand and stone first.
- Pour. Tip Asphalt in a Bag straight from the bag and spread it evenly.
- Over-fill slightly. Leave the mix a little proud of the surface to allow for compaction.
- Compact, crown, compact again. Tamp firmly, shape a slight crown, then compact once more. Open to traffic immediately.
How deep should the repair be?
Aim for at least 25mm compacted depth, ideally 50mm. Lay deeper repairs in layers and compact each one. Repairs any thinner than 25mm are prone to breaking away at the edges.
More DIY guides
Working out how many bags to buy? See bag sizes and coverage or use the Asphalt Calculator. Sealing cracks too? Compare options on the Crack Filler page.
10 Gauge Mix
View product →The one step not to skip
Compaction is what makes a repair permanent. Curing is activated by impact, and a dense, tightly compacted patch keeps water out — the thing that caused the pothole in the first place. Over-fill slightly, compact firmly, crown the patch, then compact again.
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
How to Fix a Pothole FAQs
Can I fix a pothole myself?
Do I need to dry the hole first?
What can I compact it with?
Fix it once.
Fix it permanently.
Talk to our team about Asphalt in a Bag, Rubberised Crack Filler and bulk supply.