Rochester NY Sealcoating preserves the resilience of asphalt surfaces while hiding small cracks, patches and rough spots. It also makes pavement look new and improves its curb appeal.
To succeed, however, the asphalt surface must be impeccably clean. Only then can it bond strongly to the protective coating. It must also be protected against weather and oxidation.
The tars used for sealcoating can come from natural sources such as trees and bushes or from coal and petroleum. They are often produced by heating the material under high temperatures. This process, called pyrolysis, converts the organic compounds in the material into gases, liquids, and tar. The tar is then separated from the other materials using distillation and centrifugation. Oil-based tars have many uses, including as coatings for wood surfaces and sills on buildings and as waterproofing for ships and boats.
Coal tar is one of the most commonly used asphalt sealcoat materials. It is known for its hard film, dark color, and increased fuel resistance. It also dries faster than other materials and is less likely to fail due to marginal weather/environmental conditions. In addition, it can be mixed with additives that alter sand suspension, increase water repellency, or provide resistance to salts and petrochemicals.
Workers can apply this type of asphalt sealcoat with a spray hose or brush. When applying the product, it’s important to wear proper clothing to avoid exposure to carcinogenic toxins. This is especially crucial when working outdoors where the vapors can travel through the air. The vapors are dangerous to breathe, but they can also damage the skin and eyes. One instance of this exposure won’t do much harm, but repeated contact can lead to long-term health issues.
It is best to wait at least 24 hours before parking on a newly-sealed surface. This will allow the tar to completely cure, and it will be less susceptible to power steering marks. This type of asphalt sealcoat is typically applied to parking lots, but it can also be used on driveways and other outdoor asphalt surfaces.
Asphalt emulsion is the most common sealcoat for commercial properties. Its main benefits include its fast drying time, low odor levels, and ability to fill cracks in asphalt. It is also resistant to water, UV rays, and petroleum products. However, it is not as durable as coal tar and requires reapplication more frequently. It is also not as flexible, making it more prone to potholes and cracking.
Refined Tar
Refined tar is the backbone of many commercial sealcoat compositions and imparts protection, preservation and beauty while bonding tenaciously to asphalt pavement. In the proper mix design it is balanced with clays and fillers to give specific characteristics like flexibility, hardness, resistance to petrochemicals and salts and water repellency. Specialty chemicals are also added to perform functions such as UV stability, rutting control, specific water proofing and other chemical resistance properties.
The primary reason why some groups seek to ban tar based sealcoat is the concentration of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) found in coal tar. Coal tar is a by product of the coking, liquefaction or gasification of coal and contains extremely high levels of PAHs which are known carcinogens. Coal tar based sealants contain 35,000 to 200,000 mg/kg of PAHs which is far greater than oil based sealers.
However, it is important to understand that PAHs are in almost everything we use and that they are generated by heating or burning anything containing carbon. Asphalt, tires, burned fuel and used motor oil all generate PAHs at similar or higher concentrations than coal tar based sealants. PAHs are not only human carcinogens but they also cause mutations, birth defects and death in fish and other organisms.
PAHs are also soluble in water and can be carried through the soil and into groundwater systems where they are a significant contaminant. Sediment cores show that coal tar based sealants are a major contributor to PAH accumulation in urban lakes across the country. In fact, the City of Austin banned coal tar based sealcoat in 2006 after they commissioned a study showing this was the case in Lady Bird Lake.
While the concern with PAHs is valid, generations of family owned companies engaged in the business of producing and applying refined tar-based sealant have never reported any health issues associated with their products. It is a good idea to wear appropriate clothing during the application process which includes long sleeves, pants and work gloves. If the sealer does contact the skin, a face shield or hat may be needed depending on weather conditions and application method.
Asphalt Pavement Coatings
Asphalt is comprised of rock and stone, held together by a substance called binder. The asphalt binder is made from the distillation of crude oil. Exposure to sunlight, water and chemicals degrades the binder. This deterioration process is called oxidation. Over time, asphalt pavement surfaces become brittle and crack. A sealcoating program can prevent the deterioration and extend the life of your parking lot or driveway.
When applied to a smooth surface, asphalt pavement sealants create a layer of protection that blocks out water and oils. The coatings are composed of bituminous based products mixed with silica sand, polymer additives and proprietary fillers and solids. They can be applied with spray or squeegee equipment.
The sand and polymer additives improve the bonding of the sealant with the existing asphalt. This helps the new coating to withstand the stress of vehicular traffic and weather extremes. Foam control agents are also often added to the mix. Excessive foam can interfere with the application of the sealcoat, causing uneven results.
Regular sealcoating of asphalt pavement can double the life of a parking lot or driveway, reducing maintenance expenses and downtime. It will also help to protect the underlying aggregate from harmful UV radiation, which can accelerate the deterioration of the asphalt.
During the sealing process, workers will clean the surface of the existing asphalt with sweeping methods and blowers. This will prepare the surface for the sealcoating, ensuring that the application adheres properly and that it has a smooth finish. The asphalt surface should be free of ruts, holes and other structural problems. Once the surface has been prepared, the sealcoat will be applied with pressurized spray equipment or self-propelled squeegee machines and then hand rolled.
A well-maintained asphalt surface provides a professional, clean and attractive appearance that will increase the curb appeal of your property. It will make your business more appealing to customers, and it can increase the value of your property if you ever sell it. It will also help your business to stand out from the competition.
Squeegee Method
As anyone who has watched paint dry on a window or door will recognize, squeegee application is a fast and effective way to apply any liquid. This method ensures a even layer of sealer is applied across the entire surface, eliminating any uneven spots and creating a visually appealing finish. It also seals the asphalt deeper, enhancing the durability and longevity of your pavement.
While spraying has its advantages, squeegee application is still the preferred technique by many pavement maintenance contractors. Whether using a large ride-on sealcoating machine with a squeegee attachment or a hand-held individual squeegee, this application method allows for the proper thickness of asphalt sealer to be spread over the entire surface and packed into all cracks and pores. It also works well on rough or porous surfaces where spraying may not create the desired bond.
Spray sealcoating equipment consists of a tank trunk or tow-behind trailer connected to a hose and nozzle that allows for high-pressure liquid to be sprayed onto the asphalt surface from a pre-determined distance. This is a quick and easy method, however, it can be difficult to control the consistency of the applied coating and may not cover all areas equally well. Furthermore, the process can be time-consuming and requires special care to mask off adjacent surfaces to prevent overspray.
The squeegee method involves pouring asphalt sealer directly onto the surface and then spreading it around with a manual squeegee tool. This is a common choice for small areas and intricate spaces where precision is required. It also works well on older pavements that need a thorough seal to fill in voids and cracks.
The squeegee method of sealcoating is more efficient than the spraying technique, as it covers larger areas and can be completed more quickly. This helps to reduce the amount of downtime required for your commercial parking lot and prevents interruptions in traffic flow during the required drying time. This is important for businesses, as it allows customers to easily enter and exit the building and resume business operations once again without a lengthy delay.
