Asphalt, drying time, it's still tacky and sand

[KathyJB]

My husband is rushing me so I didn't have time to look for the thread. We spread the roof tar asphalt stuff last night on the floor of our coop. It says drying time is 48 hours, but it's really humid. We have a large fan on it.

My question: Is it still going to be tacky after 48 hours and if so is it ok to go ahead and put the sand down on it? Thanks.

ps: I'll try to snap a few shots this afternoon but we also need to blackleg our calves and I don't know how long that will take because hubby is injured.

 

[JackE]

When I put down my floor coat, it dried with 24hrs. Of course I applied it in the spring when we don't have the summer humidity to contend with. But you are talking 48hrs, it should be dry by then. If not, I'd go ahead and put the sand down. The worst that could happen is that it is still a bit tacky. If that is the case, you would have MORE of a non-slip surface with some of the sand imbedded into the floor coat. You would still have all the other benefits with it as well. Should not be a big deal. You DID stir well, right?
Jack

 

[KathyJB]

Yes we stirred it up good. Spread like a dream too. I bought 5-60lb bags of the courser sand. I don't know how much weight the floor can take. We put the building up on blocks because of gophers. We didn't want them to push all that dirt up and rot the floor. I went up 2 inches on my side with the asphalt and wasn't paying attention to what the husband was doing and he didn't do that

He got some of the asphalt up the side, it's hard not to when you're trying to hurry.

The sides, or walls only go up 47 inches then there is a nice shelf and the roof starts. I'm using smart panel for the sides and painting that with porch and floor paint. I was offered some old bead board from a 1900's hotel, but I haven't decided if I want to use that or just paint the ceiling. Hubby put the middle divider with screen door in yesterday. We used chicken wire on the bottom (I would rather have used hardware cloth) and are putting hardware cloth on the top half.

I'll try and take a few pictures. I tell you, these chickens better lay sterling silver or golden eggs

this hen house is starting to add up. But it looks really cool and you only have to do it once. I also need to put something in front of the door to keep the sand in along with steps on both ends of the building so I won't have to step up so high. Mo money, Mo money, mo money

 

[chfite]

4 square feet of sand 3 inches deep would be about 100 pounds. This would be around 25 pounds per square foot. 100 pounds per cubic foot. Well within the design of a standard floor on 16 inch centers with adequate joists.

Having said that, I would use pine shavings in the coop.

Chris

 

[KathyJB]

We put 5-60lb bags down and it appears to be ok weight wise.