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Alaskan natives aren't strangers to slick, ice or snow-covered roadways during the cooler months, which is why road crews, business owners, and homeowners often turn to salt to achieve safe surfaces. While salt loses its effectiveness when temperatures drop a few degrees below zero, it's one of the most cost-effective ways to eliminate snow and ice. It's affordability and usefulness make it the most popular choice for asphalt and concrete surfaces, but it can also damage these materials and lead to driveway, parking lot, and road repairs.

The appeal of salt is due to how quickly it melts frozen precipitation. It does so by first absorbing water from the surface material before mixing with the solution to create a completely new liquid. The new salt-water solution freezes at a much lower temperature, so instead of a slick, frozen surface, the area is simply wet. This process allows vehicles to gain traction and avoid slip-offs and crashes.

Road RepairsUnfortunately, the salt can also cause serious damage. Drivers are typically most concerned by the fact that the mixture can rust their vehicles since salt is one of steel's biggest enemies. Yet, you should also be worried about the concrete or asphalt surface that's been salted.

When the snow or ice is melted, the liquid quickly seeps into small cracks and divots in the surface. This situation also occurs with rain, but unlike rain, ice and snow are associated with much colder temperatures. When the Alaskan temperatures inevitably fall below zero, the solution will refreeze and expand small surface issues into large cracks and potholes.

If left unrepaired, the damage can grow more serious, and instead of a simple driveway, parking lot, or road repair, the entire area will need to be replaced. It can also negatively affect any vehicles that drive on the surface in the form of popped tires and chipped or scratched paint from kicked up debris. It's best to patch the area as soon as you notice the first signs of damage.

 

Ice and snow can't be avoided in Anchorage, AK, but when issues arise, turn to the professionals at GMG General for quick, reliable, and affordable repairs. For nearly 30 years, the paving company has proudly met the asphalt and concrete needs of residential and commercial customers throughout the area. They also provide snow removal services at competitive rates. Request an estimate for your driveway or road repair online or by calling (907) 349-7854.

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