Sealcoating restores sun-bleached asphalt pavement to its original black color and forms a protective barrier against oil, water, sunlight and oxidation. It also improves the appearance of your property and increases its value.
Typically, seal coating is performed from spring through fall. If you skip this essential maintenance, your paved surface will eventually require costly repair or replacement. Contact Rochester NY Sealcoating for professional help.
Asphalt pavement is susceptible to oxidation from the sun’s UV rays. Once oxidation starts, the binder that holds the sand and stone aggregate together in the pavement starts to degrade. As the binder deteriorates, water seeps through the pavement foundation and causes damage such as small cracks or alligator cracks. To slow this process, asphalt sealcoating protects the surface of the pavement from sunlight and helps block water from entering the asphalt structure.
Asphalt is a petroleum product, and when auto fluids such as oil and gas leak onto the surface of the asphalt, it reacts with the binder, causing it to soften and break down. When this happens, the underlying sand and aggregate are exposed to the elements, resulting in further damage. This is why it’s important to have your asphalt resealed regularly.
Besides protecting your asphalt from the weather, sealcoating also looks better. The dark color of the sealant gives your parking lot a deep, rich appearance that enhances the curb appeal of your property and increases its value. This is particularly beneficial if you are considering selling your commercial property or renting it out to tenants.
Before sealcoating can take place, the surface of the asphalt must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all debris such as dirt, mud, and tree sap. This will help ensure that the new sealant adheres to the surface, giving your pavement lasting protection.
It is also a good idea to hire professional commercial and residential paving contractors to perform this task, rather than trying to do it yourself. Buying subpar sealant from your local big box home improvement store and applying it yourself can actually be harmful to the pavement under it. A reputable contractor will know how much sealant to apply and how thick to make it. Too little is just as bad as too much.
Another advantage of seal coating your parking lot is that it will provide a safer surface for your tenants and visitors. Pavement that is cracked and damaged can be very slippery, but a smooth, black seal coat is slip resistant even when wet. This can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, saving you money in liability insurance costs.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a popular choice for sealcoating, but it’s not the best option for every application. Some areas may require an oil-based or coal-tar emulsion. Other applications require a water-based emulsion or an acrylic. Using a urethane sealcoat over asphalt can prevent it from absorbing oil and gasoline spills, which can cause damage to the pavement. It can also help to prevent the formation of moss and weeds.
A Polyurethane is a synthetic, flexible plastic formed through the reaction of a polyol with diisocyanate. It is often combined with other additives to enhance specific physical properties. This allows the creation of a wide variety of products. This includes industrial sealants, foam gaskets, and insulation materials. Polyurethane is an excellent choice for sealing against moisture, dust, and abrasion. It has a higher tensile strength than rubber and is compatible with mineral oils. In abrasion tests, it has only a quarter of the wear rates of NBR and considerably lower than filled grades of PTFE.
Polyurethane is used in a variety of applications and can be used on both metals and plastics. It is a great material for sealing cracks and joints in concrete. It is also an excellent choice for insulating electrical equipment. It is available in a number of different colors to match the color scheme of your home or business.
In addition to being a waterproof material, urethane is highly resistant to abrasion and scuffing. It is ideal for areas that are subject to frequent traffic, such as a driveway or parking lot. It can be applied to existing surfaces or as a barrier over new construction.
In addition to its waterproof qualities, urethane is also a good choice for sealing wood. It can be applied to aging PlatSil or TinSil silicone molds to improve their performance and ease of demolding. It can also be used to seal open grained woods like mahogany to help reduce grain abrasion. It can be sanded between coats to create a smooth pore less finish. This type of sealant can also be applied to abrasion-prone surfaces such as concrete to increase their service life.
Polyurea
Polyurea is an extremely durable coating that resists abrasion damage, corrosion and impact damage. It is ideal for preserving structures that are exposed to harsh environments, such as wooden bridges or concrete buildings and canals. It also protects cars and trucks from abrasion damage. Polyurea is also used in a variety of commercial and industrial floor applications. It provides excellent traction and resists chemicals, oils and salts. It can also help protect parking lots and structures from structural deterioration, saving businesses money in maintenance costs, repair expenses and replacement costs.
The chemistry behind this durable coating consists of long molecular chains with strong bonds between them. It contains polyurethane and isocyanate and can be pigmented as desired. There are two varieties of polyurea: aromatic and aliphatic. The aromatic variety has a matte finish that will darken and chalk under UV radiation, while the aliphatic variation is more glossy.
A spray coating of polyurea can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces. Its abrasion resistance and flexibility makes it suitable for truck bed liners, where it is sold under the name “Line-X”. In addition to its durability, polyurea can provide an attractive glossy appearance that enhances the look of pickup trucks. It is also a great choice for coating tanks at wastewater treatment plants, where the contents are subject to turbulence and erosion.
Another benefit of polyurea is its ability to contract and expand with changes in temperature. This makes it an excellent choice for military equipment and other applications that are often subject to extreme temperatures. It is also used as a barrier for water and moisture in aircraft hangars and other high-rise buildings.
Polyurea can be applied in a spray application or as an adhesive. During the spray application, a blend of solvents is added to the polyurethane to form a liquid mixture that is sprayed onto the surface. This material is then cured and hardened by heating it with an ultraviolet light or heat source.
Spray-on polyurea requires thorough surface preparation before application. The surface must be free of dust, dirt, rust, oil and other contaminants. The area should also be cleaned using techniques like sanding, blasting and power washing. Once the surface is ready for application, the sprayed coating can be cured and sealed with a top coat to prevent cracking.
Acrylic
Essentially, this type of sealcoat is used to re-establish the original color and surface texture of concrete, making it look brand-new again. It also fills in cracks and small holes, ensuring that these areas are protected from water or debris. However, the material itself isn’t the best for preventing wear and tear, as it tends to fade or get damaged by UV rays relatively quickly. It’s a good option for parking lots that don’t require a lot of longevity from the seal coat, but not necessarily the best choice for driveways.
Acrylic can be either a solvent-based or water-based product, and it’s available in both high sheen and “wet look” finishes. Water-based products are less sensitive to moisture in the concrete, and they don’t emit a strong odor like oil-based options do. However, they have a shorter lifespan than oil-based or coal tar emulsion sealcoats, and they may require more frequent application than other types of sealcoat.
When using an acrylic sealant, workers should follow all manufacturer guidelines for applying the product correctly. This will help ensure that the coat is properly mixed and applied, allowing it to bond with the asphalt. This step is important, as it can prevent issues like bubbling or peeling, which will significantly reduce the lifespan of the sealcoat.
It’s also important for workers to offer adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) while working with sealcoating materials. This will help them avoid any potential skin or lung contact with chemicals that are harmful to human health. The standard PPE for this type of work should include coveralls, gloves, safety glasses and a face mask.
As an added precaution, it’s a good idea for workers to wear the proper work clothing during the sealcoating process, such as coveralls with long sleeves and pants. This will protect them from splashes or drips that might happen when the spray hose is being used, and it can help to keep their bodies warm. Additionally, it will also be easier for them to work with the sealcoat when they are fully dressed – if they’re not wearing their coveralls, it might be difficult for them to reach all parts of the driveway when spraying.