Potholes are created due to moisture saturating the base material through medium to large cracks in the surface of the pavement. When the base material becomes wet and vehicles continually drive across it, the compression forces the water back up through the cracks, carrying with it some base material. Over time, the remaining base material breaks down, first noticed as small potholes appearing on the surface of the parking facility. If left unrepaired the small potholes will grow larger very quickly. The larger the pothole, the greater the cost to repair it.

Most damage to parking facilities begins with cracks in the pavement that are left unsealed.