How to use this page
Start with the use case (potholes, ironworks, crossings, skid-risk locations, cracks), then match it to the treatment designed for that failure mode. If you’re unsure, use the “Best use cases” column and click through to the relevant service page.
Need a recommendation?
Send location + photos + dimensions and we’ll recommend the most appropriate treatment and traffic management approach.
Speak to the Technical TeamLooking specifically for Roadmender? See Elastomac (Roadmender).
Comparison Table
Notes: Lifespans vary by traffic loading, substrate condition, installation quality and maintenance regimes. “Carbon impact” is shown as a practical relative indicator (lower is better) to help selection.
| Treatment | Typical purpose | Disruption / cure | Lifespan (typical) | Carbon impact (relative) | Cost (relative) | Best use cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Elastomac (Roadmender) Hot-applied permanent repair |
Permanent reinstatement for potholes, edge failure, cracking, localised structural repairs. | Minutes (traffic-ready fast on many sites) | Long-life when correctly specified and installed | Low Reduced repeat visits + zero waste |
££ | Reactive defects on live networks, bus lanes, high-stress zones, utility reinstatement, waterproofing against ingress. |
|
Asphalt surfacing & patching Machine / hand-laid |
Patching, plane & inlay, resurfacing sections, restoring ride quality. | Hours (depends on scope + compaction + TM) | Medium (varies with design and loading) | Medium Good for larger area reinstatement |
££ | Planned works, larger area defects, ride-quality improvements, schemes requiring uniform surfacing. |
|
Ironworks reinstatement Frames, covers, chambers |
Correcting rocking, settlement, poor levels and water ingress around ironworks. | Hours (site-dependent) | Long-life with correct alignment + sealing | Medium Reduced call-backs if done right |
££ | Manholes/gullies in trafficked lanes, noisy ironworks, rapid degradation around frames, level correction. |
|
Imprint surfacing Decorative / functional finish |
Coloured/patterned surfacing for visual zones and traffic calming. | Hours (fast installation for many sites) | Medium (depends on system + loading) | Medium | ££ | Crossings, speed tables, gateways, public realm enhancements, school approaches, priority zones. |
|
Road markings Thermoplastic / MMA |
Lines, symbols, anti-skid approaches, safety & compliance markings. | Fast (system-dependent) | Medium (traffic + substrate + material) | Medium | £ | Car parks, cycle routes, junction layouts, refresh programmes, compliance works (Chapter 5 / BS EN 1436). |
|
High-friction surfacing (HFS) Skid risk mitigation |
Improving skid resistance at high-risk locations. | Hours (prep + curing) | Medium (high stress but measurable benefit) | Medium | ££ | Approaches to crossings/junctions, bends, downhill braking zones, collision hotspots. |
|
Joint sealing & crack repair Preventative maintenance |
Sealing cracks/joints to stop water ingress and delay structural failure. | Fast (minimal downtime) | Medium (maintenance cycle dependent) | Low Extends life, reduces future intervention |
£ | Early-stage cracking, joints, preventative programmes, extending surface life before full resurfacing. |
Selection shortcuts
Quick routes to the right page, based on what you’re trying to fix.
Environmental and repeat-visit impact
Where a treatment reduces repeat visits and waste, it typically reduces whole-life carbon as well. If your priority is a long-life repair with reduced repeat intervention, start with Elastomac for localised defects and joint sealing for preventative programmes.
If you want to publish hard carbon figures on this page, keep them on a dedicated methodology/resource page and link to it (so you can update numbers without rewriting the whole guide).
Where each treatment is not ideal
This section increases trust and helps users self-select correctly.
- Elastomac: not a substitute for full-length resurfacing where widespread structural failure exists.
- Asphalt patching: can require repeat visits if water ingress and defect edges are not properly addressed.
- HFS: not intended as a cosmetic surface; best used where skid risk is the driver.
- Road markings: does not resolve underlying surface defects or skid resistance issues.
- Joint sealing: best as early intervention; late-stage failures may require deeper repair.
Next steps
Send location, photos and dimensions — we’ll recommend the most appropriate treatment and traffic management approach.
Get a Recommendation