Sodium Hydroxide Question

[OkanoganPressureWash]

I posted this in another topic area but not sure how fast it will get a response so here it is.

I have several gas station concrete pads and sidewalks to clean next week.

Adjoining the sidewalks and drive up gasoline pads is asphalt.

Are there any precautions I need to take as far as this agent contacting the asphalt around the edges of the pads? Should I use cold or hot water? Dwell time...?

Thanks,

Mike
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[Christopher]

Whenever using a Sodium Hydroxide based product like a strong Degreaser you should always keep the asphalt wet at all times but if the asphalt has good or new sealcoat (looks like it was painted black instead of being all grey colored) then I am not sure that I would use any strong degreaser close to the sealcoat.

The degreaser can strip the sealcoat off the asphalt along with leaving permanent streaks in the asphalt which can end up causting you some serious money if they make you pay for the damage which is likely as more and more customers are tired of shoddy contractor work being done and generally getting ripped off along with possible bad publicity on tv (local tv stations are airing customer's problem's with businesses to help remedy the situation and they have follow ups to see what is being done). Using pressure and/or heat also will remove the sealcoat, it is just a thin layer of emulsion to help protect and water-proof the asphalt to help it last longer, it is not as strong physically as the asphalt itself.

 

[OkanoganPressureWash]

Whenever using a Sodium Hydroxide based product like a strong Degreaser you should always keep the asphalt wet at all times but if the asphalt has good or new sealcoat (looks like it was painted black instead of being all grey colored) then I am not sure that I would use any strong degreaser close to the sealcoat.

The degreaser can strip the sealcoat off the asphalt along with leaving permanent streaks in the asphalt which can end up causting you some serious money if they make you pay for the damage which is likely as more and more customers are tired of shoddy contractor work being done and generally getting ripped off along with possible bad publicity on tv (local tv stations are airing customer's problem's with businesses to help remedy the situation and they have follow ups to see what is being done). Using pressure and/or heat also will remove the sealcoat, it is just a thin layer of emulsion to help protect and water-proof the asphalt to help it last longer, it is not as strong physically as the asphalt itself.

Thanks Chris for the phone chat today! Great knowledge you've shared with me. Much appreciated! :thumbup: