In the past, only the undaunted dared to tackle the task of driveway maintenance. Trying to get cracked and chipped concrete to look clean and neat again could be a challenge and asphalt had problems of its own.
“Asphalt driveways were usually done by professional contractors because the old tar, coal tar and asphalt-type products weren’t easy to use and they were messy to clean up,” says Randy McKitrick, product line manager for Macklanburg-Duncan, which has developed a line of asphalt maintenance products billed as easy to use and environmentally friendly.
“The smell of the coal tar products was very acrid and they could irritate the skin,” points out Camille DeRose, a spokesperson for Gibson-Homans, “but new acrylic products are safer to use, easier to clean up and they are more durable than some of the products of the past.”
User-friendly concrete repair and maintenance products are also being introduced for driveways, walkways and patios, and garage and basement floors. “As Baby Boomers get older they are looking for products that make it easier to keep surfaces clean because they don’t want to have to do the same job over and over again,” says Michele Michael, associate product manager for Thompson’s Total Concrete Care products.
New coatings that seal surfaces and make them easy to maintain have been formulated for asphalt surfaces as well as for concrete. “People tend to believe that a rock is a rock and that rocks are durable, so you don’t have to waterproof concrete,” says Michael. “But they don’t realize that water can cause damage.” Sealers not only provide a finishing protective touch, but an aesthetic one as well.
The prices listed for products are suggested retail prices. You can contact the listed manufacturers for help in finding a retailer in your area that carries a specific item.
Total care
Thompson’s has launched a new line of products called Total Concrete Care. It includes Concrete Patch to repair chipped and cracked concrete. According to the manufacturer, the patch is stronger than regular concrete. It will set in just 30 minutes and will not shrink. Concrete surfaces can be protected with the Concrete Driveway Sealer, which is formulated to prevent chipping and cracking. The line also includes Garage Floor Cleaner, which is a heavy-duty product that will get rid of grease and oil within 15 minutes. Once the floor is clean, it can be sealed with Garage Floor Protector–available in clear as well as dark gray–which provides a waterproof coating that will resist oil and grease stains. Price: $7 to $30, depending on product. The Thompson’s Co., 825 Crossover Lane, Memphis, Tenn. 38117. Phone: 800-647-9352.
Contractor’s secret
The new Concrete & Masonry Sealant from PL is a polyurethane formula that up until now has only been available to contractors. It is not only highly adhesive, but flexible as well, so it creates a long-lasting bond. Price: $3.99. PL Adhesives & Sealants, 889 Valley Park Dr., Shakopee, Minn. 55379. Phone: 800-433-9517.
Patch and bond
Bondex has two new repair products. Speed Set is formulated to patch concrete quickly. It can be used to fill in holes as well as cracks up to two inches wide on driveways and sidewalks, and garage and basement floors. It can be poured into hard-to-fill areas and will set within 15 minutes. A Heavy Duty Concrete Patch for larger and/or deeper cracks and breaks includes liquid latex so that it will better adhere to the surface and remain flexible. Bondex addresses the problems of another kind of surface with Blacktop Driveway Patch. This ready-mix formula can be used to repair holes, chips and cracks in asphalt and blacktop, creating a hard and flexible surface. Price: $5.82 for Speed Set, $6.88 for Heavy Duty Concrete Patch and $5.24 for the Black Top Patch. Bondex International Inc., 3616 Scarlet Oak Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63122. Phone: 800-225-7522.
3 R’s
The Mr. Mac line from Macklanburg-Duncan includes products to meet “the three R’s” of maintaining asphalt surfaces: repairing, restoring and refinishing. The Latex Asphalt Crack Filler includes a formula in a squeeze bottle for flat surfaces and a thicker one packaged in a cartridge for slopes. The filler is formulated to expand and contract with changing weather conditions. Mr. Mac’s Asphalt Fix can be used to fill up potholes no matter what the temperature and is designed to stay put permanently. The Asphalt Sealer in the series will fill in hairline cracks and create a smooth protective surface that is guaranteed for five years. Price: $1.85 to $7.47 for the Crack Fill, $14.29 for the Fix, $21.89 to $39.19 for the Sealer. Macklanburg-Duncan, P.O. Box 25188, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73125. Phone: 800-654-8454.
Acrylic protector
Cure & Seal from QUIKRETE is an acrylic product designed to protect concrete surfaces. It helps to promote proper drying of fresh concrete so that it will be more durable and less likely to crack due to shrinkage. It creates a shiny semi-gloss surface that is waterproof and stain-resistant. It can be applied with a spray, broom, roller or squeegee on concrete surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, garage floors and patios. The Home Projects Council of QUIKRETE has produced a “Home Projects Kit” about working with concrete. It’s available free of charge by calling their toll-free number. Price for the product: $15. QUIKRETE, P.O. Box 2836, Norcross, Ga. 30093. Phone: 800-282-5828.
No coal tar
Black Jack Ultra Acrylic Driveway Filler & Sealer from Gibson-Homans contains no coal tar and will not produce any harsh fumes or odors. It is formulated to flow easily and dries to a matte black, non-skid finish that is resistant to gas and oil stains. Cleanup requires just soap and water and a new coating carries a four-year warranty. Price: $20. Gibson-Homans Co., 1755 Enterprise Parkway, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087. Phone: 216-425-3255.
