6/18/2018 6 Comments Sealcoating your drivewayThinking about sealing your driveway? Get the facts! What is Sealcoat?
Sealcoat – also called sealant – is a thin layer of black material applied to pavement surfaces. It may improve the appearance of old asphalt, but it contains chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment. There are two common types of sealcoat: coal tar-based and asphalt-based. Both produce a deep black finish on driveways, but coal tar-based sealcoat contains much higher levels of chemicals called PAHs (polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons) that harm fish and, under some conditions, pose a risk of cancer to humans. Why Does it Matter? Manufacturers recommend applying seal-coat every few years to maintain an even coverage. Sealcoat wears o over time from vehicles driving on the surface, snow shoveling and plowing, wind and rain. The sealcoat ends up in lakes, streams and storm water ponds, where PAHs may damage the health of aquatic species and could potentially enter the ecosystem. Flakes of sealcoat may also be blown away by wind onto surrounding property and lawns. The air near sealcoated driveways contains PAHs that could be inhaled during activities on or near the driveway. Dust from seal-coated driveways can also get tracked into buildings, increasing PAH concentrations in the home. Get the facts: A study at the Universityof New Hampshire Stormwater Centerfound that: Water running off a parking lot covered with coal tar-based sealcoat had 30 times more PAHs than water from an unsealed parking lot Soil near the parking lot had highly elevated levels of PAHs, and those levels remained high for three years after the sealcoat was applied to the lot. Dust with highly elevated levels of PAHs was transported up to 20 yards from the sealcoated surface by tire tracking and wind. With all of this being said, we strongly urge you to choose a coal-tar FREE sealcoat such as Rynotite. You will get the rich black color, longevity, as well as NO foul odor or PAHs. Thanks for reading!
6 Comments
6/13/2019 06:41:59 pm
My dad just got an asphalt driveway and he wants to make it last longer. It would be really helpful if he could get a professional to help him seal-coat it. I'll be sure to tell him that he should get a seal-coat every few years to maintain even coverage.
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2/25/2021 09:24:02 pm
Excellent value driven article here. Tons of information about driveway sealing. Appreciate it. honestdrivewayrepair.com
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6/29/2022 06:31:07 am
Great blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed here?
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7/21/2022 03:10:47 am
It captured me the most when you discussed that sealcoating is used to improve the look of old asphalt. My mother wants to make our driveway more presentable. I should advise her to hire a contractor to handle the application of sealcoat to our driveway.
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1/27/2023 09:17:31 am
I want to make sure that my driveway lasts me a long time. It makes sense that sealcoating it would be a great way to make it last longer! That seems like a great way to ensure that it doesn't get damaged.
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1/27/2023 09:51:08 pm
I appreciate that this post reminded us that it is important that we maintain our sealcoating to ensure it is efficient. I never knew that it is best to leave it to the professionals as they know the balanced mix. I will definitely be more mindful with who I hire.
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Marissa M.Business Administration |