Repairing driveways this winter

Asphalt and concrete driveways are always subject to cracking and splits. When water seeps into cracks and crevasses and then freezes, the water expands, causing existing cracks and holes to get larger. Here are a few tips:

1. First, remove deteriorated and foreign material from the area to be repaired. Then, slightly undercut the side of the repair area with a hammer and chisel. Keeping the side of the repair area vertical or slightly undercut provides a better base for the repair material.

2. Saturate the area with clean water. Just before the new repair material is applied, sweep away any standing water. Apply a slurry coat of Sakrete Top 'N Bond (follow instructions on packaging). This can be used on horizontal and vertical repairs.

Here's how to tackle potholes and cracks in asphalt driveways:

1. Chisel out loose blacktop, ensuring that the sides are vertical. Be sure to remove all loose particles, dirt or grass. If sub-base is loose, remove the unsound portion and replace with clean compacted gravel or stone.

2. Pour a 2-inch layer of Sakrete All Weather Blacktop Patch in the area to be repaired. Then, compact with a tamper or post until material reaches a 1-inch thickness. Place and compact additional layers until the desired thickness is achieved.

Riding over the patch with a car will not provide sufficient compaction. Compaction must be sufficient to cause the stone in the blacktop to lock together and minimize voids in each layer. If the blacktop is not completely compacted, the patch will remain soft.

Sakrete Blacktop Sealer has a smooth texture and gives driveways a shiny jet black finish.