Old Man Winter is fast approaching — will your driveway hold up? Neither asphalt nor concrete is indestructible against the freeze-thaw cycle of winter; melted snow expands with every re-freeze, forcing driveway cracks to get bigger and bigger. A driveway in disrepair deteriorates much faster than expected. That’s why GMG General, Anchorage’s premier paving company for almost 30 years, wants to share a few tips for quick and easy driveway repairs.

Here’s how you can prepare your driveway for winter:

• Clear Out Debris: Do a thorough sweep of all dirt, leaves, and other debris on your driveway. If it’s crumbling away in parts, remove this material using a hammer and chisel. Once all the debris is gone, get out the hose and spray the whole area with clean water for the finishing touch. For blacktop (asphalt) driveways, you may need to replace loose base material with compacted gravel.
• Apply Slurry (Concrete Repairs): To repair horizontal or vertical driveway cracks GMG General recommends applying a slurry coat of your preferred concrete patcher. Even small cracks (under half an inch wide) need to be repaired, though they may require a different patching product.
• Apply Blacktop Patching Material (Asphalt): Apply about two inches of patching material to the damaged driveway area, and compact it until it goes down one inch. Add additional patching material as needed, tamping down each layer with a post or tamper. Driving over the material won’t cut it — unless you’re driving a steamroller.

Winter is right around the corner, but if you’ve come to the conclusion you don’t have the time or resources to complete your last-minute driveway repairs, GMG General will be glad to help. You can reach the local paving company for your free estimate at (907) 349-7854. For more information about their driveway paving and repair services, visit them online.