Potholes Around Pits, Drains & Manholes

By the Permanent Pothole Solutions team · Updated 26 October 2026

Pits and service covers on public roads belong to councils and utilities — get approval before working on them.

Step by step

1. Clean out. Remove broken asphalt and debris from around the frame.
2. Pour and over-fill. Fill with 10 Gauge Mix, a little proud of the surface.
3. Compact against the frame. Tamp firmly so the mix is pressed against the concrete or steel.
4. Keep the lid clear. Make sure the cover can still be lifted.

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

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