CASTinTACT® Concrete Tactile Warning Panels

CASTinTACT ® | maintenance & protection guide For more information please visit: CAST inTACT .com formed from the insoluble calcium carbonate with the continued influence of carbon dioxide and water. Calcium hydrogen carbonate is very soluble and easily washed away with rainwater. Depending on weather conditions this process may however take up to two years to complete. Snow & Ice Removal The safest deicers for concrete are also the most common: sodium chloride-rock salt, and calcium chloride pellets. Sodium chloride, however, will damage vegetation and corrode metal. Calcium chloride works better at lower temperatures, has little effect on vegetation but promotes rust. Ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate fertilizers, sold as safe for grass and shrubs can rapidly attach and disintegrate concrete. Magnesium chloride chemically disintegrates concrete slowly. Urea in low concentrations will not damage plants, but will attack concrete. Manufacturer’s usage recommendations should always be followed to prevent over applying deicers. Do not use a chemical deicer to melt every bit of snow and ice. Once the bond between ice and pavement is broken, the slush and residual deicer should be mechanically removed using a large rotary brush attached to a small tractor to prevent refreezing. Sealers Uses: Application of a sealer follows stain removal, efflorescence removal and overall cleaning. Sealers are used for aesthetic and functional reasons. Sealers offer many functional advantages. Sealers for Concrete Pavers If the panels are sealed, Masons Supply should be consulted prior to verify that the sealer is compatible and will perform in the environment planned for its use. Sealers not recommended for use with panels are acrylics, urethanes, epoxies, alkyds, esters, and polyvinyl acetates. Somemunicipalities regulate buildingmaterials with high volatile organic contents (VOC’s). The restrictions usually apply to solvent based sealers. The VOC level of a sealer refers to the pounds per gallon (or grams per liter) of solvent which evaporates from the sealer, excluding the water. VOC’s have been regulated since they can contribute to smog. Most water based sealers comply with VOC restrictions and some solvent based products may comply as well. The user should check with the sealer supplier to verify VOC compliance in those areas which have restrictions. Many solvent based products are combustible and emit hazardous fumes. Therefore, flame and sparks should be prevented in the area to be sealed. Personsapplyingsealersshouldwearadequatebreathingandeyeprotection. Never use solvent based sealers in a poorly ventilated or confined area. Silanes/Siloxanes Silanes and siloxanes are durable and penetrate concrete well. Silanes are the simpler form that, when exposed to moisture begin to link up to other silanes. Siloxanes do the same linking together. Both chemicals become a polymer, curing as a film in the capillaries of the concrete. A hydrophobic barrier to moisture is created, preventing moisture from entering but allowing the concrete to “breathe” or release water vapor. Because silanes and siloxanes reduce moisture from entering the concrete, they can deter efflorescence from appearing on the surface of concrete panels. They initially enhance colors and produce a flat, no gloss finish on the panel surface. This makes silanes and siloxanes very suitable on exterior areas for resisting efflorescence. Silanes and siloxanes do not resist penetration of petroleum stains unless they have additives specifically for that purpose. When required, proprietary mixtures with additives can increase petroleum stain resistance. Silanes have smaller molecules, so they penetrate farther into the concrete than larger siloxane molecules. However, they are more volatile (tend to evaporate) until they bond to the concrete. Silane sealers generally require a higher percent of solids to counteract their rate of evaporation. Therefore, silanes tend to be more expensive than siloxanes. Silanes and siloxanes are typically used as water repellents for concrete bridge decks, parking garages, and masonry walls. Their primary use for reinforced concrete structures is to prevent the ingress of chloride ions from de-icing salts. This intrusion causes reinforcing steel corrosion in the concrete, and a weakened structure. Their ability to decrease intrusion of chloride materials makes them useful on panels subject to deicing salts or salt air, such as walks, streets, parking lots, plaza roof and parking decks. Sealing Procedures All dirt, oil stains and efflorescence must be removed prior to sealing. The cleaned surface must be completely dry prior to applying most sealers. Allow at least 24 hours without moisture or surface dampness before application. The panels may draw efflorescence to the surface, or the sealer may whiten. Cover and protect all surfaces and vegetation around the area to be sealed. For exterior (low-pressure) sprayed applications, the wind should be calm so that it does not cause an uneven application, or blow the sealer onto other surfaces. For many sealers, especially those with high VOC’S, wear protective clothing andmask recommended by the sealer manufacturer to protect the lungs and eyes. Sealers can be applied with a hand roller if the area is small (under 1000 ft² or 93 m²). For larger areas, more efficient application methods are a low pressure sprayer. Hazardous Materials The U.S. Federal Government and Canadian Government require that all shipments of hazardous materials by common carrier must be accompanied by a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). All chemical manufacturers must supply sheets to shippers, distributors and dealers of cleaners and sealers if the materials are hazardous. The MSDS must accompany all shipments and be available to the purchaser on request. The MSDS lists the active ingredients, compatibility and incompatibility with other materials, safety precautions and an emergency telephone number if there is a problem in shipping, handling or use. The user should refer to the MSDS for this information. References 1. Cleaningand Sealing InterlockingConcretePavement - AMaintenance and Protection Guide. JAN 2010 -18- STinTACT ® | mai tenance & pr tection guide