A Quick Guide For Choosing Safer Sealants On Asphalt Pavements
When you need to have the parking lot of your business replaced, you may have a unique opportunity to make the area safer for both the vehicles that will park there and the people who will use it. Specifically, it is important to note that there has been an association in recent years with a specific type of sealant used on asphalt paving and an exacerbation of asthma symptoms. Therefore, when you need to know that you are providing the safest possible area for your customers and staff members to park and spend brief periods of time in on a regular basis, it is a good idea to consider the following information to help you choose the most appropriate sealant for your needs.
Understanding The Concerns About Coal-tar-based Sealcoats
While asphalt continues to be safe to use and popular in its own right, a sealant known as sealcoat that often used on the top of an asphalt parking lot is thought to cause a variety of respiratory challenges. A coal-tar-based sealcoat can put off fumes that irritate or trigger asthma attacks or other breathing problems for some individuals.
The issue is thought to result from the use of coal-tar-based sealcoats, which present with a harmful organic compound. Since a coal-tar-based sealcoat closely resembles its safer counterpart, it is crucial to speak with your pavement contractor to verify what will be applied to the parking area for your business.
Coal-tar-based Seal Versus Asphalt Sealants
Unfortunately, it is all too easy to not know the difference between the previously mentioned coal-tar-based sealcoat and asphalt emulsion, which is its safer counterpart. Since they look much the same and provide similar functions, it can be shocking to learn that the amount of harmful organic compounds present in coal-tar-based sealcoats are roughly 1,000 times higher than they are in asphalt emulsion.
A coal-tar-based sealcoat can put off fumes that irritate or trigger asthma attacks or other breathing problems for sensitive individuals. Given that as recently as 2009, one in twelve people had asthma, it is easy to see why asphalt emulsion is typically a better option for sealing the asphalt .
Understanding The Details Of Asphalt Emulsion
Asphalt emulsion is unique in that it contains water, asphalt, and an emulsifier, and the specific amounts of each item impact how long the surface of the pavement will remain intact. Eventually, all pavement will wear down, but by working with a pavement expert who understands the science behind emulsion, it is often possible to more closely determine when that breakdown is likely to manifest.
In conclusion, it is not always as easy as you might expect to plan for the repair or replacement of the asphalt in your parking lot. Given the very real danger of asthma exacerbation associated with the use of coal-tar-based sealcoats over asphalt paving, it only makes sense that you should consider the facts listed above when planning for the required work on your property. For more information, contact a paving company like Interstate Paving LLC.