Report Potholes & Road Defects
To report potholes or other road defects (i.e.: cracking, sagging, etc.) in unincorporated Snohomish County, contact us by:
- Email Road Maintenance
- Phone: 425-388-7500
To ensure repairs are handled in a timely manner, please provide the following information:
- Location of the pothole or road defect
- Description of the problem
- Nearest cross street
- Side of road it is on
- A photo of the pothole (optional)
Additional information is helpful and allows us to follow up with you or contact you if necessary:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your phone number
When Will Potholes Be Repaired?
Snohomish County Road Maintenance’s objective is to temporarily repair potholes within a week of receiving a report. Depending on weather conditions and temperatures, a temporary repair may be required and a permanent repair will be made when weather conditions improve. Crew workloads are a factor in scheduling all repairs.
What Causes Potholes?
Higher than normal rainfall and freezing temperatures can increase the number of potholes on our roads.
Potholes can develop when the following conditions occur:
- During freezing temperatures, ice forms in the subgrade level of the road. When temperatures rise and it rains, the ice under the road melts slowly, which blocks runoff. This causes an increased saturation of the roadbed and contributes to surface defects and potholes.
- On older road surfaces, water can work its way into spaces where it freezes and expands. Once the road starts to thaw, the compromised surface has a greater chance of “popping out” as traffic travels on the road. The grip from the tires acts like a suction cup pulling at the weakened surface which eventually breaks the bonds between pavement layers. When that happens, potholes form.