Archive for the ‘Sealcoating’ Category




Green is the New Black: Sustainable Seal Coat for your Restaurant Parking Lots

Published by Karen on March 14th, 2012

This excerpt is from an article first published in Restaurant Facility Business Magazine in February/March 2012.

As any restaurateur knows, seal coating is an important part of a parking lot maintenance plan.  Seal coating fills surface voids, which delays oxidation and protects against UV rays and reduces the depth to which oil or gas can penetrate the pavement.  A sealer acts as a waterproofing agent, minimizing the rate at which water enters pavement.  Without it, water can permeate more freely resulting in freeze/thaw expansion and contraction of the pavement.

Perhaps most important, a properly sealed asphalt structure can last as much as double a similar area that is left untreated.  Considering the uncertain future cost of replacing asphalt compared to the minimal cost of seal coating, the choice to perform this preventative maintenance procedure is clearly a better return on investment.

Thankfully, due to the ever-growing green building movement, there are alternative products on the market.  Some of which may even qualify for various LEED® credits, depending on the project.  One such option involves the use of a bio-based sealer.

Bio-based sealers are soy based and contain no petroleum, making them a uniquely sustainable alternative designed specifically to maintain and preserve asphalt pavements.  When applied regularly, every three to five years, bio-based solutions yield significant advantages.  Some of these benefits include: cure time of 60-90 minutes, no tracking, cost effective, reduces moisture penetration, and it is carbon negative.  Once applied, the sealer works deep into the asphalt matrix, penetrating on average 0.75 to 1.25 inches deep.  There is also no need to restripe after application, which saves the hassle of extended parking lot down time and expensive labor.  It also helps maintain the skid resistance that deteriorates as asphalt wears down over time. Read more…

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Safe From Harm: Taking Steps to Winterize Your Parking Lot

Published by Karen on November 30th, 2011

Winter is a season enjoyed by all for holidays, family, and delicious meals.  At this time of year, many people combine all three by gathering at their favorite restaurant.  To earn their business, your food and facilities must maintain a five-star rating.  If your restaurant is located in a cold winter climate, for example, your heating systems might need extra service and attention.  A less obvious area, however, is your parking lot.  Even though it might be covered in snow, your pavement should not be buried on your checklist. Regardless of your restaurant locations, asphalt and concrete repairs can and should be addressed throughout the winter months to prevent the spread of problem areas and to mitigate potential liabilities.  After all, just one slip-and-fall injury could result in costly litigation, increased insurance premiums, and worst of all–a tarnished image.

The following procedures and treatments can be performed on your parking lot this winter.  Understanding your options will help you to make better decisions concerning the maintenance of your restaurant parking lots during cold-weather months and it will help you budget for long-term repairs in the spring.

Patching

Depending on the size, severity, and geographic location, potholes may be patched or the area may be removed and replaced. If your parking lot is located in a mild winter climate and hot-mix asphalt (HMA) is readily available, removal and replacement is the best, long-term solution and it can be completed right away.  However, if your parking lot is located in an extreme winter climate where harsh weather conditions and/or the unavailability of HMA are factors, treatment with cold patch can be completed as a temporary repair.  Cold Patch is a pliable material that can be placed loosely in a pothole, regardless of ambient temperature, and then compacted by vibratory plates.  Before application, the area must be clean from debris and there should be no water in or around the area.  Once applied, cold patch material has enough density to remain in the pothole, but it is not recommended as a long-term solution because it does not address the root problem.  In the spring, all areas that have been patched over winter should be thoroughly inspected by a reputable parking lot maintenance specialist to uncover the true source of the pavement defect in order to determine the right repair. Read more…

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The Benefits of Sealcoating

Published by Candace on May 12th, 2010

Sealcoating is one of the most important elements of a pavement management plan.  A sealcoat consists of either coal tar pitch or asphalt cement mixed with inert fillers, water, emulsifying agents, or additives. Applied in thin coats, pavement sealing is used to protect off-highway pavement surfaces against gasoline, oil, salt, water, and ultraviolet rays. When covered with a dark black sealant, pavement looks and wears like new.  Parking lot sealcoating helps to project a positive image of the company and facility.

There are also many green alternative coatings that enhance solar reflectivity and are very cost effective:

Solar Reflective Coating being applied

Solar reflective coating being applied

Solar Reflective Coatings are a premium quality, highly pigmented, polymeric surfacing system designed for heat reduction of parking surfaces.  The product is formulated with infrared reflective pigments to reduce solar absorption, increase reflectance and achieves a desired solar reflectance index (SRI) of up to 40%.  It contains no PAHs, has an extremely low VOC content, is fuel-resistant and is non-fading.

Here are more benefits of traditional sealcoating:

Beautification

When covered with a dark black sealant, pavement looks and wears like new. Parking lot sealcoating helps to project a positive image of the company, facility, or residential complex.

Slows oxidation and water penetration

Sealcoating fills surface voids, which reduces exposure to oxygen and UV rays and reduces the depth to which oil or gas can penetrate the pavement.

Sealcoating acts as a waterproofing agent, minimizing the rate at which water enters pavement. Without it, water can permeate more freely resulting in freeze/thaw expansion and contraction of the pavement.

Sealcoating resists oil and gas spills

Gasoline dripping from a topped-off fuel tank during hot weather can soften and break down unsealed asphalt pavements. Coal tars used in sealcoat are impervious to gas and oil spills.

Traditional sealcoat being applied

Traditional sealcoat being applied

Sealcoating increases pavement flexibility

Sealcoat brings a dark black color to the pavement. The blacker it is, the more heat a pavement draws from the sun.  And, the hotter it gets, the more pliable it becomes, which helps it to withstand traffic without cracking.

Do you have any questions about seal coating?  Whether it’s regarding traditional sealers or environmentally friendly coatings, submit a question and one of our pavement management experts will be happy to help!

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