What Is Asphalt Mastic Flooring?
What Is Asphalt Mastic Flooring?
Mastic asphalt flooring is a type of resilient flooring made from a mixture of fine and coarse limestone and dolomite aggregate, synthetic bitumens, natural asphalts, polymer-modified bitumens, and pigments. It is applied while still hot so it can be distributed evenly and then left to cool and cure.
Mastic asphalt flooring has experienced an increase in popularity due to its useful characteristics such as being waterproof, radon gas barrier, durable, and low-cost. It is generally laid at a minimum of 25mm thick and is used for a wide range of construction projects.
The advantages of mastic asphalt flooring include creating a damp-proof base on surfaces and removing rough resolve and harm facts that break the floor.
Disadvantages include the preparation process which requires specific steps such as preparing the concrete bed before placing the asphaltic mass flooring.
Asphalt Mastic Flooring Installation
Installation of mastic asphalt flooring involves mixing molten asphalt with clean sharp sand or gravel or grit in a specific ratio. The mixture is then poured onto a concrete bed of suitable thickness and smoothed before it cools and cures, which typically takes two to three hours.
The thickness of the layer of mastic asphalt can vary but it typically ranges from 15mm to 50mm depending on the application.
Mastic asphalt flooring has several advantages, such as being dustless, elastic, durable, waterproof, acid proof and attractive in appearance. It is also non-absorbent and non-polar, making it ideal for use as a substrate for parquet and other floor coverings.
However, if the surface will have to support heavy, permanent loads then a levelling compound may be required.
Asphalt Mastic Flooring Durability
Mastic asphalt flooring is a durable and waterproof material that has been used for centuries. It is considered to have little or minimal impact on the environment and offers market leading longevity of more than 50 years.
Mastic asphalt flooring can be used as a protective layer under carpet, wood and other types of flooring due to its water resistant nature.
The thickness of the layer of mastic asphalt can vary, but it typically ranges from 15mm to 50mm depending on various factors and requirements of the application.
While mastic asphalt flooring is not common compared to other types of flooring, it does have advantages in both commercial (in particular industrial, education and healthcare) and domestic settings.
Mastic Asphalt Flooring Maintenance
Mastic asphalt flooring requires periodic routine attention to maintain its best decorative effects and maximum service life. This includes cleaning and polishing the surface, as well as repairing any areas that have been subjected to heavy traffic.
All substrates must be true, plane and even free from ridges, hollows and indentations before mastic asphalt is applied.
The bitumen element of the mastic asphalt should be noted when applying any form of repair product coating such as magical one coat sealants or online purchased mastic tube applied products.
Stone mastic asphalt surfaces can become damaged, eroded or otherwise defective over time and require repairs. Grade I flooring should not be laid when the ambient temperature is below 10° C.
Oil resisting mastic asphalts are no longer available so a suitable oil resistant coating should be applied over the mastic asphalt to protect it from oil spills.
Mastic Asphalt Flooring Repair
Mastic asphalt crack repair is a process that involves filling and patching cracks in asphalt surfaces with a hot-applied, pourable, self-adhesive ridged material. This material is often a bituminous compound, which contains tightly bound particles for additional strength.
For pavement cracks over 1.5″ wide, mastic sealant patches provide a more permanent solution than traditional crack sealing. These repairs can be applied with a squeegee or trowel tool to the damaged area and are suitable for cracks ½” or wider.
Mastic asphalt crack repair is often done by specialist contractors who have the right knowledge and preparation to apply the material correctly. It is important to consult with a mastic asphalt specialist before attempting any repairs as mastic asphalt coatings contain bitumen which can be difficult to work with.
