Repairing Sunken or Depressed Asphalt
Fill dips and wheel ruts properly
To repair a sunken patch of asphalt, cut the edges so the repair is at least 25mm deep, then fill it with Asphalt in a Bag in compacted layers until it’s level with a slight crown. Don’t feather the mix out to nothing at the edges — thin edges break away.
By the Permanent Pothole Solutions team · Updated 26 October 2026
Dips and depressions form where the base has settled or washed out. They hold water, which softens the base further, so they get worse with every wet season.
Tips
- Minimum 25mm compacted depth, ideally 50mm
- Compact each layer before adding the next
- Size the job with the Asphalt Calculator
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
Repairing Sunken or Depressed Asphalt FAQs
Can I fix cracks and potholes with the same product?
What if the base underneath has failed?
Why do potholes keep coming back?
Fix it once.
Fix it permanently.
Talk to our team about Asphalt in a Bag, Rubberised Crack Filler and bulk supply.