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PaverECOGUARD is an ecological, semi-breathable coating sealer and joint sand stabilizer. It has been pre-modified with solvents to create a high quality water-based, medium gloss acrylic sealer. It is approved for sealing interior and exterior concrete pavers and all other concrete pavements. It will enhance the color of the pavers and leave them with a slight “wet look”. PaverECOGUARD will also provide excellent joint sand stabilization. When the pavers are cleaned properly and allowed to fully dry, PaverECOGUARD will leave no milky residue, discolor or peel off.
• PaverECOGUARD is recommended for interior applications instead of solvent based sealers to eliminate the worry of toxic fumes.
• PaverECOGUARD is not recommended for use around pool decks (slip resistance is greatly reduced when wet and pavers are hotter to the touch in bright sunlight).
• PaverECOGUARD should NOT be used on clay or some natural stone surfaces (see SiloxaGUARD for these materials). Exposed aggregate is ok to seal with PaverECOGUARD.
• PaverECOGUARD is not recommended for use on pavers in areas that are exposed to constant water or areas that take a very long time to dry after moisture is introduced. In these conditions, the sealer could soften and become cloudy.
• PaverECOGUARD is not recommended for use on retaining walls.
Before using PaverECOGUARD, it is necessary to determine if the concrete pavers or concrete pavement should be sealed with PaverECOGUARD.
• Do NOT apply PaverECOGUARD if the pavers have not been installed for 3 months (see “WHAT IS EFFLORESCENCE?” Section for explanation).
• Do NOT apply PaverECOGUARD if the pavers have not been cleaned with PaverPREP or other cleaner specifically designed for pavers. NEVER use muriatic acid. Muriatic acid is a by-product of the leather tanning industry. There are contaminates in it that may stain the pavers and there is no control of the strength of the acid. This may cause etching of the pavers if too strong or unsuccessful removal of efflorescence if too weak.
• Do NOT apply PaverECOGUARD to pavers that have been previously sealed with anything other than PaverECOGUARD without first checking and testing for product compatibility. The new formula of PaverECOGUARD is compatible with the old formula for resealing.
PaverECOGUARD Instructions
CAUTION!
Before using PaverECOGUARD, be sure to read all instructions on the label and this entire application guide. Make sure to check tightness of lids before transport or handling. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Always wear protective glasses, gloves, boots and an air filter mask designed for use with paint spray. Prolonged contact with skin can cause skin irritations. Keep out of reach of children. Shield buildings, landscaping and vehicles from excessive dosages or spray drift. Dispose of empty containers according to federal, state and local regulations.
PaverECOGUARD should be applied in 2 coats undiluted. The 2nd coat can be applied after the 1st coat is dry enough to walk on. It can be applied with a roller or a sprayer. Do NOT dilute before applying. The 1st heavier coat of PaverECOGUARD seals the pavers and locks in joint sand. The 2nd lighter coat evens out the gloss and adds more protection. 2 coats must be applied, but no more than 2 coats.
Coverage:
Sprayer: Coverage when spraying with a low pressure sprayer is approximately 100 – 120 sq ft per gallon for 2 coats (i.e. 1 gallon of PaverECOGUARD is enough to put 2 coats on a 100 sq ft area). When using a sprayer to apply PaverECOGUARD, do not use one that has been used with other chemicals (including other PAVE CHEM products) unless it has been thoroughly cleaned.
Roller: When rolling on PaverECOGUARD, coverage is approximately 70 – 80 sq ft per gallon for 2 coats (i.e. 1 gallon of PaverECOGUARD is enough to put 2 coats on a 70 sq ft area). When applying with a paint roller, be careful not to over-roll the surface. Once it is spread, leave it alone. If not enough sealer is used or is over-rolled, the acrylic may be raised and show a surface texture.
Preparation:
1. Make all repairs to the pavement and conduct a thorough cleaning using PAVE CHEM’s PaverPREP (also use PaverDETERGENT and/or PaverDE-STAINER as necessary). See the PaverPREP Application Guide for these instructions and procedures.
2. Once the surface is cleaned, barricade the pavement and keep all traffic off. Make sure that the tops and joints of the pavers are dry before starting application. After cleaning, this will take 24-48 hours, or longer, depending on temperature and humidity. Make sure that all sprinkler systems are turned off. If it rains within the 24-48 hour drying time, start the clock over. If there is still some moisture present in the joints, a slight haze may appear around the joints shortly after application of PaverECOGUARD. This will clear after a few warm sunny days have evaporated the remaining moisture out.
3. When the pavers and joints are dry, check the weather forecast. Do not start applying PaverECOGUARD if rain is anticipated in the next 12 hours. Curing will take longer in colder temperatures; application is not recommended below 45°F (7°C).
Application (Sprayer):
1. Pavers and joints should be dry. Start at the HIGHEST elevation of the pavement. Spray side to side working toward the bottom of the pavement. Be sure to overlap each pass and apply the 1st coat liberally to previously unsealed pavers. When working next to a building or retaining wall, hold up a piece of cardboard or other material to shield from overspray. When spraying near edges with grass, try to angle the tip back toward the pavement to reduce overspray on grass. If there is excessive overspray or run-off, there may be some browning of the grass, but it will come back after 1-3 weeks.
2. The 2nd coat should be applied after the 1st coat is dry enough to walk on. Return to the highest elevation and apply the 2nd lighter coat in the same pattern. Spray enough to get a fully wetted surface, but no joint run off. Again, don’t forget to shield buildings and walls.
3. After 2 coats have been applied, barricade the pavement to keep all vehicle traffic off for 24 hours. Foot traffic is usually allowed after about 4-8 hours.
Note: For the do-it-yourselfers, purchase a good quality sprayer; garden sprayers will work fine. Do not use the same sprayer for PaverECOGUARD and PaverPREP without thorough cleaning.
Note: For the professional, purchase a high quality steel sprayer with Viton Seals. If cleaned properly after each use, these should last for some time. Also, make sure the hose, wand and tip are off good quality. Do not use the same sprayer for PaverECOGUARD and PaverPREP without thorough cleaning.
Application (Roller):
1. If using a paint roller to apply PaverECOGUARD, purchase new, high quality medium nap rollers. Place a sheet of plywood on the pavers and put your paint tray on top. The plywood will prevent excessive PaverECOGUARD from spilling on the pavers when filling the tray or when dipping the roller.
2. Pavers and joints should be dry. Start at the HIGHEST elevation of the pavement. Roll on the PaverECOGUARD working side to side toward the bottom of the pavement. Be sure to overlap each pass and apply the 1st coat liberally to previously unsealed pavers. When working next to a building or retaining wall, hold up a piece of cardboard or other material to protect from the roller. Be careful not to over-roll the pavement to avoid raising the sealer and leaving a surface texture. Apply the sealer and move on.
3. The 2nd coat should be applied after the 1st coat is dry enough to walk on. Return to the highest elevation and apply the 2nd lighter coat in the same pattern. Roll on enough PaverECOGUARD to get a fully wetted surface, but no joint run off. Again, don’t forget to protect buildings and walls.
4. After 2 coats have been applied, barricade the pavement to keep all vehicle traffic off for 24 hours. Foot traffic is usually allowed after about 4-8 hours. If there was some PaverECOGUARD run-off into the yard, there may be some browning of the grass along the edge of the pavement, but it will come back after 1-3 weeks.
Clean-Up:
1. If a roller was used to apply PaverECOGUARD, wash the roller, handle and paint tray with water and allow too dry.
2. If a sprayer was used, spray any unused sealer back into a PaverECOGUARD container.
3. Pour approximately 1 pint of water into the sprayer tank and put the plunger back on. Shake the tank to rinse off all the sealer inside the tank.
4. Pump up the sprayer and discharge the water on top of gravel or cardboard. It is non-toxic, but may cause some browning if sprayed on the grass.
5. Remove the plunger again, then hold the sprayer wand up vertically and open the valve (trigger) to drain wand and hose back into the tank. Pour any remaining water out of the tank.
6. Use a cloth rag and some water to wipe down the top and outside of the tank, plunger, hose, wand and seals. Disassemble the tip from the wand and wash it thoroughly with water.
7. Allow the tank and all sprayer components to dry (lay the tank on its side for faster drying). Then put the tip back on the wand and put the plunger back on the tank to keep dirt out.
8. All empty containers of PaverECOGUARD should be left open and allowed to dry (do not allow rain to enter containers). When dry, they can be disposed.
9. Make sure that the lids are securely fastened on any unused containers of PaverECOGUARD before transporting or storing.
TROUBLE SHOUTING:
Problem - After the sealer has dried, there is a slight haze or “glazed-donut effect” on the surface of the some pavers or around some joints.
Cause - Moisture was still present when the sealer was applied. This moisture is keeping the acrylic soft and preventing it from bonding to the surface.
Solution - Do not do anything. It will clear up once the moisture has completely evaporated. Depending on the amount of moisture trapped and weather conditions, it should clear up in 4 – 14 days.
WHAT IS EFFLORESCENCE?
PAVE TECH, INC. recommends waiting 3 months before cleaning and sealing a new installation. If efflorescence is severe upon installation of the pavers, they can be cleaned with PaverPREP to improve the appearance, but the pavers should be cleaned again with PaverPREP just before the first sealing even if no further efflorescence is apparent. The reason for waiting to clean and seal is efflorescence and secondary efflorescence.
Efflorescence is a natural byproduct of all curing concrete and occasionally appears in clay products. It is the white haze or “chalky” substance on top of the pavers. Commonly, efflorescence shows more on darker colored pavers, especially a charcoal color. Efflorescence is mainly a cosmetic issue; it does not affect the structural integrity of the paver. It is brought to the surface by the slow evaporation of water through the paver. As water enters the microscopic capillaries in the pavers, it reacts with the calcium oxide and forms calcium hydroxide. This is raised to the surface during a slow evaporation and forms the white haze. When the supply of calcium hydroxide is exhausted, efflorescence will stop. Over time, it will usually wear off the pavers naturally.
Because efflorescence will only surface during slow evaporation, the process will take longer in dry conditions. The process can be sped up by watering the pavement in the evening every 2 or 3 days, but this could also cause other problems from hard water or rust in the water.
Another concern is possible secondary efflorescence caused by the material under the pavers, including the bedding sand, base material and even the soil below the base material. Water can react with any calcium oxide in these materials and surface on top of the pavers. This will take longer to occur. If the pavers are sealed with PaverECOGUARD without removing the efflorescence first, it will still be visible after the sealer has dried. It will now be trapped under the sealer and can not be removed, even if the acrylic is stripped off. PaverPREP is only used before the first time pavers are sealed. It has little or no effect on the sealed pavers before future applications. Likewise, if the pavers are cleaned and then sealed and more efflorescence surfaces, it can not be removed even if an attempt is made to strip off PaverECOGUARD. It is impossible to remove all of the acrylic, which prevents PaverPREP, or any acid cleaner, from dissolving the efflorescence after sealing.
Separate Application Guides and MSDS Sheets are available for PaverGUARD, PaverRE-GUARD, SiloxaGUARD, PaverPREP, PaverDETERGENT, and PaverDE-STAINER. Contact your dealer or PAVE TECH for a copy.
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