Sealing Asphalt is an effective solution for Driveways, Parking Areas, Streets, Highways and anything Asphalt.
1. Protection:
- Tape or protect any cement retaining walls, walkways, garage doors, concrete curbs, walkways, apartment mail boxes, shopping cart holders, lamp poles, etc., to be sure you do not get any asphalt sealer on things you don’t want to. (It is the same as painting. You protect the carpet, light switches, and so on so make sure you do the same with the surroundings of your asphalt surface).
- As a contractor you do not want to accidentally spray sealer onto your client’s garage door, siding, etc., resulting in disappointment with your work. It is helpful to keep a warm bucket of water and sponge handy in case of accidental sprays: wipe away area immediately before it has a chance to cure.
2. Applying the Asphalt Sealer:
- Mix the acrylic or coal tar driveway sealer well before you start your job. This can be done with a drum mixer extension that can be attached to your drill. It is recommended to mix it once or twice again during the sealing process.
- You do not need to mix your sealer if you are using a spray system as all Asphalt Kingdom spray systems have an Agitation and Re-circulation function that circulates at 225 GPM (Gallons Per Minute), with a control valve to fluctuate the re-circulation speed. The tank re-circulates two times every minute so you are sure to have mixed sealer that is ready to be applied.
- Tip: If you are sealing by hand, you can mix a couple handfuls of silica sand to the asphalt sealer in the 5 gallon bucket to make coatings less slippery when wet, or to seal alligator cracks on the asphalt. If you are using a spray system, check its specs to see if it will spray sealer with sand (most won't.)
Edging Your Job (you must sealcoat the edges FIRST):
There are a number of different ways to prevent dripping or spraying sealant on places other than your customer’s driveway, or asphalt area:
- Use either a wood backer board or fibre-glass backer board and have one of your workers helping you hold it right at the edge so you can finish the driveway right up to the wall. This will make for a clean and easy finish to your job.
- Make sure to tip the board towards the waist of the person spraying so that the sealer does not get under the board. Use the board around the edges and spray 4 to 5 feet away from the edge. You can then finish the main body of the driveway without getting sealer all over the walls or edges.
- You can use Kraft paper and tape to mask off curbs, sidewalks, paving stones, etc… (just like you would to paint) but it can be very time consuming.
- If you decide to use either a backer board or tape and paper to prepare your edging areas we suggest investing in a AK TS150 Trigger Spray Gun, pictured right. The AKTS150 Fits all existing AK Sealcoating Spray System models - just screw it on and you're ready to go! The AKTS150 delivers a beautiful precision control fan spray. More control means you can cut in the asphalt edges faster and get perfect coverage every time with no sealer puddles.
Applying the sealer with a spray system:
- Asphalt Kingdom recommends the use of a sealcoating spray system to complete your sealcoating jobs.
- The AK Sealcoating Spray Systems are extremely simple to operate. There are two valves that allow you to either spray the sealer or re-circulate it to mix it up. Labels and operating manual come with the systems as well.
- It is an agitation and recirculation system that circulates at 225 GPM (Gallons Per Minute), with a control valve to fluctuate the re-circulation speed.
- A spray system will save you a tremendous amount of time and effort compared to applying by hand with a squeegee, brush, or roller.
- You can typically finish a job four times more quickly when using a spray system.
3. Drying Time:
- Block the end of your driveway or asphalt area with a caution ribbon or tape to keep cars and people off until it is completely dry.
- Let area dry for 3-4 hours before walking on.
- Let area dry for 6-8 hours before allowing cars to drive on.
Sealcoating a carport? Most carports never see sunlight, so the pavement doesn't receive much UV radiation, a key component in drying and curing. Water must evaporate out of the coating for it to dry and cure. If this process doesn't take place quickly enough, water gets trapped as the top layer of the film skins over. This will cause a gray, white or brown color.
If water is introduced to uncured sealer, it can be absorbed into the coating, making the problem worse. This can happen from sprinklers, heavy dew and, of course, rain.
To reduce or avoid this effect, use a blower to move air over the coating. That will draw moisture out from the film, helping it to dry.
The capillary action of water leaving the coating draws the tar and clay particles together. The faster this is accomplished, the blacker the cured sealer.
4. Cleaning Up and Marketing Your Job:
You are almost finished!
Completing the following steps will not only please your clients but allow you to leave your mark on your work, showing the neighbours and anyone who walks or drives by who did such a wonderful sealcoating job.
A) Make sure the job site is spotless: Remember that this job that you have completed is really the marketing showpiece that all the neighbours will see. You want the street to be clean, grass edges, walkways, etc.
B) Seal off the area with attention ribbon: Hammer two 3 foot sticks into each end of the driveway and tie your attention ribbon across the driveway to barricade the driveway, preventing anyone from walking across the wet surface.
C) Easy marketing with fliers/brochures: Staple 3 fliers to the attention ribbon with your company name and that you provide free estimates so that people can get your number as they are walking by.
Why not take advantage of our Free Marketing Package to help you market yourself better and allow you to drive more sales!
Call us toll free at 1-866-399-5562 or send us a message: you'll get the facts, information and expert advice you can count on to help you choose the right asphalt sealcoating equipment, asphalt products and solutions that will help you get the job done quickly and profitably.
|
 |
|
