J.K. Schwartz, Inc.

Our company believes in keeping our environment safe and clean. We use only the best products available on the market to achieve superior results. All the products we use are in compliant with EPA regulations.

 

 

 

 

 There are many products on the market that are used for wood restoration and concrete sealing. In recent years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has restricted the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that go into oil based stains.  VOCs are highly evaporative, carbon-based chemical substance, which produces noxious fumes; found in many paints, caulks, stains, adhesives and concrete sealers. VOCs can cause acute symptoms, including headaches and dizziness. The long-term effects are less certain, but according to the EPA, some VOCs are suspected carcinogens.

 

 

STAINS AND SEALERS

At one time, oil based stains were the best choice when staining your deck or fence. Our company used only oil based stains because they provided the best protection and it lasted longer than water based stains. That is, until the EPA lowered the amount of V.O.Cs that went into oil based stain. These V.O.Cs are essential for wood restoration as well as concrete sealing. Now that strict laws are in place governing oil based stains, the stain manufactures are producing water based stains that can exceed expectations when it comes to oil based stains vs water based stains. Although we still use oil based products, we found, through experience, that water based stains are just as good as the "new oil based stains" if not better.

 

 

One product that we found to be the best is Sherwin Williams. They have produced a water based deck stain called Deck Scapes that works great on new and old decks. This stain goes on well and holds up just as good as the oil based stains. This product is also available in oil base and complies with all EPA regulations. We recommend two coats due to the fact that our winters can get quite nasty.  

 

On some decks we might want to use Cabot. We found through experience that this stain provides good protection on new decks with ACQ and C-A pressure treated wood. It goes on quite well and general appearance looks great. However, we found that Deck Scapes works much better on the older decks that contain Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA).

 

 

CONCRETE SEALERS

 

Buffalo weather can leave concrete driveways looking severely weathered. UV rays, water absorption, salt and even oil can destroy the texture and beauty in just one season.

 

ChemMasters concrete products are a high solid, high performance concrete curing and sealing compound. The state of the art proprietary formulation completely resists discoloration from ultraviolet light exposure, creating a glossy membrane which remains clear throughout its service life. ChemMasters will retard efflorescence while resisting oil, grease, food stains and will eliminates concrete dusting, while protecting concrete against salt and water penetration. Minimizes spalling due to freeze-thaw cycle exposure, hair line checking, premature cracking and other defects which result from improperly cured concrete. 

 

All ChemMaster products that we use are in V.O.C (volatile organic compound) compliant with the EPA.