Why Sealcoating Is Important For Your Parking Lot

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Asphalt Sealcoating is a crucial part of the maintenance process for your parking lot. It provides a protective coating against UV rays, water, gasoline leaks and other oxidizing substances that cause asphalt to deteriorate over time.

Sealcoating

It replenishes oils and gives faded asphalt a rich black finish that improves the look of your property and increases its value. Visit https://www.rochesternysealcoating.com/ to learn more.

Asphalt pavement is made from a mixture of aggregate, such as gravel and sand, mixed with petroleum-based binder. The binding agent is what makes the asphalt flexible and pliable enough to handle traffic loads and temperature fluctuations. However, the binder can deteriorate quickly when water, gas, and other chemicals come into contact with it. Seal coating prevents this from happening by creating a protective barrier for your asphalt.

Moreover, the asphalt surface is protected against the harmful UV rays of the sun. The dark colored material that is used for seal coating absorbs the UV rays and keeps your pavement from fading and getting dry. It also helps the asphalt last longer by keeping it pliable and fresh.

In addition, the seal coat acts as a barrier to chemical leaks that are common in parking lots and roadways. Motor oil and gasoline leaks are harmful to your asphalt because they will contaminate the petroleum binder, causing it to become brittle and prone to cracking and crumbling. When the asphalt is brittle, it can no longer handle the pressure of vehicles and will break apart from the bottom layer.

Before you can apply a new sealcoat, the old one must be properly cleaned to remove any dirt or debris that could interfere with the adhesion of the new coat. You can use a broom or brush to remove any loose dirt, moss, or other contaminants from the asphalt pavement. Also, it is important to repair any damaged or defective areas of your asphalt pavement prior to applying the sealcoat. Our best selling asphalt crack filler machines can help you do this job efficiently and effectively.

Enhances the Appearance

As asphalt ages, it can begin to fade in color. A regular sealcoating process can prevent this, preserving your pavement’s appearance. The asphalt surface looks refreshed and new when sealcoated, giving it a dark finish that boosts curb appeal. This is especially important for commercial properties looking to attract customers, as well as homeowners wishing to maintain or increase their property value.

Asphalt pavements are subject to damage from environmental factors, including water, sunlight, oil, and chemical spills. Over time, these elements can cause cracks, potholes, and other imperfections in the surface. Sealcoating protects these surfaces by creating a barrier that guards against oxidation, water penetration, and the freeze-thaw cycle. Sealcoating is an essential step in asphalt maintenance, helping to extend its lifespan and protect it from environmental damage.

Whether used as a driveway, parking lot, or other pavement surface, asphalt requires regular maintenance to keep it in top condition. Sealcoating is one of the most effective ways to preserve your paved surfaces, helping you avoid costly repairs and replacements in the future. This preventative maintenance can save you money on a large scale, making it an excellent investment in your property’s longevity.

Before applying a seal coat, it is crucial to power wash the surface and remove any oil spots or stains. This will ensure the application of a clean, uniform sealant. The proper equipment is also required to safely and effectively apply the sealant. This is an unruly job that involves handling liquid chemicals, and should only be performed by qualified professionals who understand the safety issues involved with working with these substances. Refined coal tar, which is an ingredient in many sealant formulations, creates fumes during drying that can pose health risks if workers are not properly outfitted and protected.

Prevents Water Damage

Water damage to asphalt is a serious problem that erodes the graded foundation that supports your pavement. Asphalt oxidizes under the sun, weakening it and leaving openings that allow moisture to penetrate the surface and degrade the underlying base. The result is cracking and sinking that eventually leads to potholes. Sealcoating prevents this degradation by protecting the asphalt from UV rays and minimizing moisture penetration.

Humidity is another factor that impacts the sealcoating process. The humidity level must be low for the material to dry. If the surface you need to be sealed is covered in fog, contractors will have to wait for it to clear before starting the project. The same goes for rain. Rain prevents the sealcoat from adhering to the underlying asphalt and can ruin your investment.

It’s essential that you block off areas where the sealcoating is applied until it dries completely. If you don’t, people will walk or drive on it and could dislodge the material, destroying all of your hard work. Ideally, you should have signs that warn people to stay off of the blacktop until it dries, as well.

Sealcoating also helps to prevent oil spills by creating an impermeable barrier on the asphalt. This layer keeps chemicals and oils from penetrating the underlying surface and allows you to remove these substances without damaging your pavement. This protection is especially important for commercial property owners, as these materials are a significant source of pollution and can be dangerous to people’s health. By keeping them from soaking into the pavement, you can protect your employees, visitors, and customers from these dangers. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your pavement lasts for as long as possible and avoid expensive repair costs.

Prevents Oil Spills

The asphalt used in pavement is a by-product of petroleum. Its chemical structure easily dissolves other products that are derived from petroleum such as gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil and grease. When these substances seep onto your asphalt surface they penetrate into the lower layers of the paving and break down the asphalt binder that holds the aggregate together. This can cause the pavement to crumble, crack and eventually deteriorate. Sealcoating creates a barrier between these chemicals and your asphalt and protects the pavement from further damage.

Oil stains on your asphalt look unsightly, but even worse is the damage they can do to the pavement. The petrochemicals in the oils will dissolve the asphalt binder and destroy the base layer of your pavement. Sealcoating prevents these petrochemicals from penetrating the pavement and saving you money in repair costs.

While Sealcoating saves you money by preventing damage, it cannot fix existing chips or cracks in your pavement. These damages must be repaired by repaving or patching the area. Without addressing these damages they will become larger and require more costly repairs in the future. Sealcoating can prevent the deterioration of your pavement and extend the life of your investment.

Preparation and Application of the Sealant

Before a seal coating job can begin the surface needs to be thoroughly cleaned. This is done by power washing and/or scrubbing the area. This process can take a full day to complete. Then it must dry for 24 hours before vehicles can drive on the newly sealed surface.

Aside from cleaning the surface, workers must wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) while applying the sealant. This includes boots, face masks, gloves and safety glasses to prevent exposure to harmful particles and fumes.

Saves Money

Sealcoating may seem like an unnecessary expense but it is a financially prudent strategy that reduces the need for costly repairs. Studies show that for every dollar spent on asphalt maintenance, the owner saves $8 to $10 in repair costs down the road.

Over time, UV rays can cause your blacktop to fade from deep black to gray or brown. In addition, they deteriorate the asphalt surface and damage the aggregate underneath. Keeping the surface protected with a layer of sealant can slow this process and prolong the life of your pavement.

Cracks and potholes create tripping hazards that can cost your business money. Trips and falls lead to lawsuits and property damage. In addition, damaged surfaces make it difficult to determine safe areas for parking and traffic flow, increasing the risk of accidents and vehicle damage. Regular sealcoating protects your asphalt and reduces these risks, preventing expensive lawsuits.

Another way sealcoating saves you money is by preventing repaving. Without a protective layer of sealant, cracks and breaks will worsen over time, eventually requiring you to repave the entire area. Repaving costs between $1-$4 per square foot, so a small investment in sealcoating can save you a lot of money in the long run.

A well-maintained asphalt surface not only increases the value of your property, it also sends a message to customers and tenants that you are committed to keeping the premises in good condition. With professional sealcoating, you can extend the lifespan of your asphalt and improve its appearance with minimal effort.

What Is a Septic Tank?

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Everything that goes down your toilets, sinks, bathtub and washing machine drains into a septic tank. The solid waste sinks to the bottom, forming a layer known as sludge. The lighter waste, such as fats, oils and greases, floats to the top.

Bacteria break down the sludge. The wastewater then leaves the septic tank through a pipe into the absorption field, or drain field. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!

A septic tank is a buried, water-tight container that collects wastewater from a home. It holds the waste long enough for bacteria to break down solid waste. The resulting liquid wastewater is called effluent. It leaves the septic tank through a drain field or sand mound. If the septic tank is not kept up, sewage can back up into household drains.

As the wastewater travels through the absorption field, soil layers filter and digest it. When the effluent reaches groundwater, it is fully treated. However, if the tank is too full, it can clog the pipes leading to and from the house, and sewage may enter the environment.

When a septic tank is full, it will need to be pumped. Signs of a full tank include slow drains and puddles around the septic tank or house. A septic tank should be pumped every three to five years depending on the size of the household and how many people live in it.

As solids settle to the bottom of the septic tank, they form a layer known as sludge. This layer is dense and is made up of dirt, grit, bones, unconsumed food particles, and other solids. Underwater anaerobic bacteria slowly digest the sludge, producing gases as a byproduct. This creates a dark, slimy substance called sludge that needs to be removed at the same time as the tank is pumped.

Lightweight waste products such as grease and fats float to the top of the septic tank. These are separated from the sludge by an inlet baffle. When the septic tank is emptied, this clarified mixture of sludge and scum flows through the septic tank outlet to the drain field.

An effluent filter is often installed in the line between septic tank and drainfield to prevent solids from entering the septic tank outlet pipe and traveling to the drain field where they can clog pipes and shorten the drain field’s life. These filters can be expensive, but they are a necessary investment for homeowners with septic tanks. Alternatively, solids can be filtered out of the wastewater with a simple, low-cost gravity effluent filter that is cleaned at each tank pumping.

Sludge

A septic tank’s job is to collect waste and separate the solids from the liquids. Heavy solids like soil, grit, bones and unconsumed food particles sink to the bottom of the tank forming a thick layer known as sludge. Lighter wastes like oils and grease float to the top of the wastewater, creating a layer known as scum. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet prevent scum and sludge from leaving the septic tank with the liquid wastewater. The liquid wastewater, called effluent, exits the septic tank and flows into a drain field or leach field.

When the sludge and scum build up, it can cause problems for your home. For example, if the septic tank isn’t pumped often enough, the sludge and scum won’t be given enough time to separate from the water. If this happens, the septic tank will eventually fill up and the liquid wastewater will flow directly from the septic tank into the drain field, causing pathogenic bacteria to enter the environment.

The sludge also can clog pipes in the septic system and reduce the porosity of the drain field, causing it to fail. It can even contaminate drinking water. Finally, sludge can pollute local lakes and rivers with excessive amounts of phosphorus, which can promote prolific plant growth including algal blooms of potentially toxic cyanobacteria.

While it is true that septic tanks in urban areas produce more sewage sludge than rural ones, all septic systems generate some sludge. Since most rural residents use on-lot septic systems, they indirectly contribute to the generation of sewage sludge by having their septic tanks pumped and having their on-lot drainfields serviced.

In addition, if people flush non-biodegradable waste items down the toilet such as cigarette butts, paper towels, condoms, cotton swabs, dental floss and hair, they can also cause the septic tank to clog and fail. Having a professional septic contractor regularly inspect and service your septic system can help extend the amount of time between septic tank pumpings. You can also minimize the need for septic tank pumping by only putting biodegradable waste products like toilet paper, human waste and food down your toilet. Non-biodegradable waste items should be taken to a local hazardous waste facility for disposal.

Scum

Septic systems treat wastewater from the laundry, kitchen and bathrooms of homes where the municipal sewer system isn’t available. Wastewater contains germs and other pollutants that need to be separated from the water before it enters the environment.

When wastewater enters the septic tank, it undergoes a process called settling and flotation. Solid materials such as soil, grit, bones and unconsumed food particles sink to the bottom of the septic tank to form a layer known as sludge. Aerobic bacteria eat away at these solids to turn them into liquid waste. Fats, oils and greases float to the top of the wastewater and form a layer of scum. Bacteria in the septic tank digest these substances to produce a clear liquid that is known as effluent.

The septic tank is lined with concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene and buried underground. It has an inlet and an outlet baffle to prevent sludge from leaving the septic tank and entering the drain field. It also has a vent pipe that allows escaped gases to escape from the septic tank, preventing a buildup of pressure that could block or reverse the flow of wastewater into and out of the septic system.

Once the septic tank is full, the inlet and outlet baffles are closed. The effluent from the house flows through a pipe to the septic tank inlet. The septic tank inlet is usually a screen to filter out large debris from the wastewater.

The inlet baffle and outlet baffle prevent sludge and scum from exiting the septic tank and flowing into the drainfield. The septic tank also has a float that closes the outlet if the tank is full. The float is connected to an alarm that alerts the homeowner when the septic tank is filling or the pump is going out.

A septic system must be regularly inspected, cleaned and drained to avoid problems like leakage and groundwater contamination. Septic tanks are cheaper than municipal sewer costs, but they still require maintenance and can be expensive to repair or replace. The septic tank should be pumped every few years to keep it working properly. Biological additives can be added to the tank to accelerate the breakdown of organic wastes and reduce the frequency of pump outs.

Drain Field

A septic system’s drain field or leach field is designed to treat wastewater and filter contaminants out of groundwater. It is typically a series of perforated pipes in gravel-filled trenches in the soil. Wastewater from your home flows into the drain field through a distribution box. When the effluent enters the drain field, it is further filtered and neutralized as it seeps into the soil. The bacteria in the soil perform a final treatment. The drain field works in conjunction with the septic tank to help reduce pollution to the environment and to your property’s plumbing system.

When a septic tank is overloaded, the sludge layer in the bottom of the septic tank may not have time to separate from the scum layer on top. As a result, sewage may flow out of the septic tank into the drain field and backup the house’s drains. This is a serious health hazard as sewage contains disease-causing organisms that can be spread to people and pets when it comes into contact with them.

You can prevent septic tank and drain field problems by avoiding flushing chemicals, medications, harsh drain cleaners, or garbage disposals that contain large amounts of grease, oil, or cooking fats. You can also install a septic system with a pump, and make sure your septic tank is pumped regularly.

If you suspect a problem with your septic tank or drain field, it is important to call a professional right away for Drain Field Repair. It can be very dangerous to work on a septic system without the proper training and equipment. It is not uncommon for a septic tank or drain field to develop a problem when it has been neglected for too long.

Keeping up with regular maintenance on your septic tank, drain field, and all components of your septic system is critical to maintaining the efficiency and lifespan of your septic system. Contact the experts at Septic Solutions if you need to schedule a routine septic tank cleaning or have questions about the condition of your septic tank, septic tank pumping, or drain fields.