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Posts Tagged ‘Sealer’
Friday, September 21st, 2012
Sealcoating is a crucial process in the preventative maintenance of any parking surface. However, because sealcoating is water based and cures by releasing all the water from their applied films, cure conditions are in credibly important. Sealcoatings cured under improper conditions are likely to fail prematurely.
Proper Cure Conditions
- Temperature: Sealcoating should only be applied if both ambient temperature and pavement temperature are above 50°F and below 85°F. When sealcoating below 50°F, the asphalt particles do not soften to form a continuous film. Because of this, the sealcoating will not only appear grey, but will also lack integrity. When sealcoating above 85°F, the sealcoating will lose its fluidity too rapidly, immobilizing binder particles and preventing them from fusing and forming a continuous film.
- Humidity: Humidity directly influences the rate of water loss from the sealcoating film. Sealcoating applied when it is overly humid will take a long time to cure. Sealcoatings will cure much faster at lower humidities.
- Wind: Wind can play a very big role in cure times. Under humid conditions, a nice breeze can help sealcoating cure faster. However, under low humidity, wind may cause sealer to cure too fast.
These conditions are the recommendations of the industry and its research association, Pavement Coatings Technology Council (PCTC).
If you have any further questions, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: asphalt experts, Baltimore, Cure Conditions, Humidity, maryland, parking surface, Pavement Coatings, Preventative maintenance, Sealcoating, Sealer, Temperature, Wind
Posted in Asphalt Maintenance, General Asphalt Advice, Maintenance Tips, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Maryland Sealcoating Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Sealcoating Frequently Asked Questions | Comments Off on The Importance of Proper Cure Conditions: Baltimore, Maryland Sealcoating
Friday, June 15th, 2012
I have had the opportunity to respond to many questions pertaining to sealcoatings, based both on refined tar and asphalt, during my many years of lecturing and day to day service to our customers. The following is a condensed list of questions and my answers which are frequently asked.
Q.1. Why are two thin coats of a sealcoating is better than one thick coat?
A.1. Sealcoatings applied in two coats dries and cures much better than one thick coat application. Sealcoatings are commonly water-based coatings, which cure through the process of water release (evaporation). Also, sealcoating film dries from top to bottom, meaning top layers dry faster then from the bottom layers. A thin coat will release water much faster than a thick coat. If the sealcoating is applied in one thick coat instead of the recommended two coats, it will have a tendency to hold water and stay soft for a longer period of time, possibly causing tracking.
Q.2. Why apply two coats, when one coat looks good enough?
A.2. Appearance is only part of the benefits. The sole purpose of sealcoating is to protect and preserve the asphalt. One coat will possibly provide only half of the protection and will wear out in less than half the time. You will have to sealcoat more frequently if you used only one coat.
Q.3. Why did the sealcoating fail or peel?
A.3. Peeling is caused by sealcoating not bonding to oil spots or any other surface contaminants like dirt, grease, etc. or oxidized pavements. Prior to sealcoating application, the pavement surface shall be thoroughly cleaned, oil spots be treated with an oil spot primer. And oxidized surface be primed either with a specialty primer or a thin coat of the sealer or a tack coat.
Peeing and dis-bonding, may also be caused by freezing temperatures during the final cure process, before the film was fully cured. Freezing temperatures will shatter the sealcoating bonds from the bottom layers of the sealer film.
Deposit of tree sap in the pavement profile. The failure is seen as the flaking of the sealer.
Sealcoating over a very hard coating, e.g. Gilsonite-based. The failure appears as chipping because the top coat does not bond and flex with the bottom coat.
Q.4. What causes white streaks in the sealcoating?
A.4. It may be an indication of a problem with the base itself. The limestone from the base may be coming up with water though pre-existing cracks in the pavement. (details in a previous article published here).
If not, then contact your sealer manufacturer to be assured that that the material in question was processed adequately to mix the clay and fillers during the processing.
Q.5. Why does the sealcoating dry gray?
A.5. The graying is caused by sealcoating drying under less than ideal conditions, e.g. shaded areas, cooler temperatures, high humidity, etc. The problem is mostly temporary i.e. after a few days in full sun it will cure to its normal color. Temporary graying can also be eliminated through the use of specialty additive that helps sealcoating dry faster and at a uniform rate. If the problem persists and the sealcoating does dry to its characteristic charcoal black color, the manufacturer should be consulted.
Q.6. Why does the sealcoating wear out faster in traffic lanes, entrances and exits?
A.7. Aside from the obvious reason of more traffic in those areas, it could be an adhesion problem, If the wear is excessive. The surface aggregates in these areas become smooth (polished) over the years of usage. For any coating, including sealcoatings, to bond properly, it is imperative that the surface be sufficiently rough. Our recommendation is to use a specialty primer to prime faster traffic lanes, exits and entrances. These primers penetrate the smooth polished aggregates and allow the sealcoating to bond effectively.
If you have any further questions about Pavement Deterioration or Sealcoating or have a project that you need completed, then contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need.
Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: FAQs, Frequently Asked Questions, My Pavement Guy, pavement deterioration, pavement profile, pavement project, PTG Enterprise, Sealcoating, Sealer
Posted in Asphalt Driveway Repair, Asphalt Maintenance, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Maryland Sealcoating Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News, Sealcoating Frequently Asked Questions | Comments Off on Sealcoating Performance: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Friday, April 27th, 2012
The decision to sealcoat an asphalt surface is an easy one. After all, the cost of sealcoating is only pennies a square yard versus repairs and rehabilitation, which can be as much as twenty times higher. What does confuse many business owners and property managers is the amount of sealer needed.
The more the merrier, right? Well, no.
Bigger is not always better. And the same goes for thickness…especially when talking about sealcoating. When it comes to the application of sealer, thicker is definitely not better. Sealer is not meant to be applied in thick patches.
Disadvantages of Thick Sealer
- Thick coats don’t cure evenly
- They are prone to tracking and can lead to surface cracks
- A thicker coat takes longer to cure, which can lead to degradation
- Thicker coats will reduce the life of your sealcoating
A thick sealcoating will not provide your parking lot with more protection. It actually has the opposite effect. Sealer manufacturers set specific mix designs for their product; when these specifications are not adhered to, the product will not perform as intended.
One of the easiest ways to tell if a parking lot has been over-sealed is if the lot has no texture. An asphalt parking lot should never look smooth, the texture of the below asphalt should be visible.
Avoid the typical more is better thinking —with sealer, thicker is not better!
If you have any further questions about Sealcoating or have a Sealcoating Project that you need completed, then contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need.
“There are many different sealcoating options available to property managers and owners today than there were when I started in the Industry,” said PTG Enterprises owner Patrick T. Gillen III. “This works to the advantage of the property and to the pavement. Now, depending on the current condition of the asphalt, I have the ability to recommend several different options depending on the condition of the lot, previous maintenance schedules and budgets.”
Give Patrick T. Gillen III and the rest of the asphalt experts at PTG Enterprises the opportunity to impress you.
“I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.”
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Tags: asphalt surface, cost of sealcoating, degradation, Disadvantages of Thick Sealer, My Pavement Guy, over-sealed, Parking lot, sealcoat, Sealcoating, Sealcoating Tips, Sealer, thick sealcoating
Posted in Asphalt Maintenance, General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Maryland Sealcoating Contractor, Parking Lot Maintenance, Pavement Maintenance, Pavement News, Sealcoating Frequently Asked Questions | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, October 26th, 2011
Fall is a busy season for asphalt contractors. Many home and business owners decide to have their parking lots and driveways sealcoated before the winter weather sets in. While this is great for the sealocating business, it also very challenging. The fall season brings with it many obstacles for the busy sealcoating contractor. These challenges include:
Shorter Days: Sealcoat needs the warmth of the sun to dry properly. The shorter days associated with fall mean that there is a very small window of opportunity each day to properly sealcoat parking lots and driveways.
Cold Ground: A cold ground hovering at or below 50 Degrees drastically reduces your chances of a good application.
Latex Additive: This is an additive for faster drying and can really help when sealcoating in the fall.
Temperature: When sealcoating, the temperature should be no colder than 50 degrees. Air temps in the lower 50s can cause sealer to not dry, cure or wear properly if sunlight is not present.
So if you are looking to have your parking surface or driveway sealcoated before winter, call before the weather gets too cold and the days become too short.
If you have any additional questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!
I can be your one stop “Pavement Guy”, for any pavement project regardless of size or scope. Give me the opportunity to impress you.
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
Top 8 Challenges of Sealcoating in the Fall
Tags: busy season for asphalt contractors, Cold Ground, fall season, faster drying, home and business owners, Latex Additive, My Pavement Guy, parking lots and driveways sealcoated before the winter, parking surface or driveway sealcoated before winter, pavement project, PTG Enterprises, sealcoat, sealcoat parking lots and driveways, sealcoating contractor, sealcoating in the fall, Sealer, sealocating business, Shorter Days, Temperature, The Challenges of Sealcoating in the Fall, Top 8 Challenges of Sealcoating in the Fall
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on The Challenges of Sealcoating in the Fall
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
There are several benefits to sealcoating, which we will address later. It does much more than just make your asphalt look like new.
When the liquid asphalt holding the aggregate together oxidizes, your asphalt becomes brittle and prone to cracking. Sealer helps to protect your parking lot or other asphalt surface from the harsh effects of nature.
So how often should you seal your asphalt? The general rule is every two years, but there are exceptions. For example, when an asphalt surface is new, it should be sealed the first two years (the first application doesn’t cover as well as the coats that follow). But be careful not to overdo it. When a surface is sealed too much, the sealer will build up and can begin to crack.
Your asphalt should look and feel like asphalt. If it starts to resemble a black skating rink, you’ve sealed to much.
The Benefits of Sealcoating Includes…
Beautifies Pavement
Regardless of the material that is chosen, the property manager or owner can expect instant curb appeal. As these photos show, the difference is quite remarkable. A fresh sealcoat will restore a fresh-black color to your lot and fresh paint will make it look new again.
Stops Weather Damage
Unsealed pavement allows water to penetrate in and through it. This leads to base erosion, freeze-thaw damage and ultimately pavement failure. sealcoating provides a protective barrier to stop water penetration.
The Asphalt Institute states: “The accumulation of moisture in pavement is probably the greatest cause of pavement distress.”
Prevents Oxidation
Asphalt pavement is made up of asphalt binder and little rocks called aggregate. As the pavement cures, the sun’s rays harden and dry out the asphalt binder and cause the surface to dry out. This causes the asphalt to become dry, brittle and break apart. This oxidation will cause accelerated raveling and erosion, and, if left untreated can reduce asphalt thickness by as much as half in five years.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
How Often Should I Sealcoat My Driveway? AsphaltAdvisor.com
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on How Often Should You Sealcoat Your Asphalt?
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
You have paid to have your parking lot re-paved with asphalt. So everything is perfect, right? Well, not quite. Replacing or repairing your asphalt parking lot is just the first step in the process.
It can take up to 12 months for liquid asphalt to fully cure. Until this time is up, you should use caution and avoid the following situations:
• When driving on your new asphalt, be conscious that your car should remain in motion as you turn the steering wheel. Turning your wheel while the car is stopped will cause your tires to skid across and grab your new asphalt, causing the surface to scar.
• You should also avoid parking in the same spot every day, as it could cause depressions where the tires sit.
• Anything parked on the pavement with kickstands or trailer jacks can sink into the asphalt. Make sure the surface is protected with a board to displace the weight.
• Gasoline, oil, transmission and power steering fluids can all penetrate into asphalt, softening it and causing structural damage.
Once the asphalt has been sealcoated a few times, the chances of penetration will be diminished.
Sealcoating is a widely used and accepted preventative measure that helps safeguard your parking lot against the harsh effects of gas, oil, salt, weather conditions and oxidation. This coating will significantly reduce the impact of these harsh effects. When applied properly, a sealcoat cures on your parking lot leaving a fresh black finish. There are many ways that sealer may be applied and material mixes may vary as well.
There are several different options available depending on the condition of the lot, previous maintenance schedules and budgets. The cost of sealcoating is only pennies a square yard versus repairs and rehabilitation, which can be as much as twenty times higher. The different types of sealer include:
1. Asphalt Based Sealer
This is the most common type of sealer. This is a tried and true method that has been around forever and is the most economical option. Asphalt based sealer is made from tar emulsion and clay and is applied at approximately 40% – 43% solids. Once applied to the parking lot it cures to a hardened, almost petrified state, and prevents water, oils, etc. from penetrating into the asphalt and deteriorating it. This type of material is best used for two reasons. If the lot has been sealed with coal tar in the past, there are advantages to staying with the same material. Secondly, asphalt based sealer is the least expensive material of the three. The material dries to a flat black and the client can expect a life cycle of 24-48 months depending on the current condition of pavement, volume of traffic and weather.
2. Polymer Modified Asphalt Sealer
Relatively new, this is an asphalt emulsion material that has distinct and ideal applications. It is blended with polymers and special surfactants for superior adhesion, flexibility and durability. Unlike conventional sealer, Polymer Modified Sealer is applied at 58-62% solids. The higher solids count produces several tangible advantages: it will last longer than standard sealers, and it dries faster with exceptional skid resistance in both wet and dry conditions.
3. Rejuvenator Sealer
This is a petroleum based penetrating material designed to absorb into the asphalt. It is best used when the asphalt has never been sealed. Pavement Rejuvenator/Sealer is applied in a one coat application. As pavement ages, essential oils are lost as they volatilize from the pavement leading to cracks and pavement failure. Rejuvenator penetrates the asphalt, restores essential oils, rejuvenates the asphaltic binder and repairs damage within the asphalt matrix.
Regardless of the material that is chosen, the property manager or owner can expect instant curb appeal. A fresh sealcoat will restore a fresh-black color to your lot and fresh paint will make it look new again.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Asphalt, Curing, and Sealcoating
Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
Have you noticed white or rust colored stains on your newly sealed parking lot or driveway? Before you go chastising your pavement professional, you should get the facts.
This article from AsphaltAdvisor.com can help. It outlines some of the main, natural culprits behind these sealcoat stains.
It is common to see white and rust colored stains on freshly sealed asphalt. This is not some defect in the sealer or caused by an error during sealing, but actually comes from a natural compound found in water, gravel and dirt.
- Mineral Salts can dry on the surface as a result of water run-off. They can also be pumped up through soil and gravel to the asphalt surface. White residue will often show up where there are cracks.
- Calcium Carbonate is also common in soil and gravel and can leave a white residue.
- Rusty red orange and brown are other common colors of residue left from rusty cars and plant byproducts.
Stains can happen at anytime, but are simply more noticeable on freshly sealed asphalt, due to the contrast. Don’t fret; these stains will naturally wash away with time.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
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Friday, August 5th, 2011
Remember the old adage, less is more? It applies to sealcoat as well, as this article from PaveManPro.com explains. Sealcoating is not meant to be applied in thick patches. So let’s look at some of the disadvantages of thick sealcoating. They include:
• Thick coats don’t cure evenly
• They are prone to tracking and can lead to surface cracks
• A thicker coat takes longer to cure, which can lead to degradation
• Thicker coats will reduce the life of your sealcoating
One of the easiest ways to tell if a parking lot has been over-sealed is if the lot has no texture. An asphalt parking lot should never look smooth, the texture of the below asphalt should be visible.
A thick sealcoating will not provide your parking lot with more protection. It actually has the opposite effect. Sealer manufacturers set specific mix designs for their product; when these specifications are not adhered to, the product will not perform as intended.
So trust your next sealcoating to an experienced pavement expert, like PTG Enterprises. If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
Even the best pavement will crack and deteriorate after time. But there are ways in which you can extend the life of your pavement. One of these ways, as this article from PaveManPro.com explains, is Pavement Sealer.
Asphalt hardening is an oxidation process and is a function of its exposure to air on the surface and within the pavement. If circulation of air through the interconnected void spaces in the pavement can be prevented or reduced, the rate of hardening of the asphalt will be slowed and the life of the pavement extended. Pavement sealers are used to do just that – close the surface pores to lengthen the life of the pavement.
Pavement sealers come in two basic formulas: Refined Tar-Based Sealer and Asphalt Based Emulsions.
Refined Tar-Based Sealer
Refined tar is a by-product of the distillation of crude coal tar. Refined tar differs from crude coal tar in that during the distillation process, the lighter end oils are removed from the refined tar. Refined tar based sealer is resistant to attack from petroleum based products. This property makes it ideally suited for parking lots or other locations where concentrations of oil and grease leaks are common. Refined tar-based sealer is also highly resistant to ultraviolet light bleaching. It is stable, homogeneous, easy to apply, and has been handled safely by professionals and do-it-yourselfers for decades. Refined tar based sealer has traditionally been used at gas stations, truck and bus terminals, airport aprons and taxiways as well as on residential driveways and commercial parking lots.
Asphalt based emulsions
Asphalt-based emulsions have many of the same beneficial properties as refined tar- based emulsions, but they are less resistant to corrosion by petroleum-based products, ultraviolet bleaching, and salts. An asphalt emulsion is a mixture of liquid asphalt and water. Manufacturers add special chemicals and pigments to the asphalt emulsions to improve performance but they remain susceptible to the damage caused by petroleum products.
Pavement sealers allow homeowners and businesses to maintain their asphalt effectively and economically. Research has shown that when asphalt pavement is maintained properly, the owner can extend the life of their pavement and delay costly reconstruction.
If you have any questions or if you think asphalt pavement might be right for your next project, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Benefits of Preventative Maintenance Pavement Sealers
