Clean it Up – Clean any debris, oil, car fluids, dirt, leaves or other mess from the pavement. If possible, have it power washed before temperatures become too cold for a more effective clean-down.

Protect Edges – Make sure to edge your pavement to protect it from grass and other plants. Their roots can break through the pavement’s edges, making it easier for water to penetrate and cause larger cracks.

Fill Cracks – Inspect pavement for cracks, chips and crumbling. Even little cracks can mean large problems later on. Water can get into cracks and freeze during the colder evenings and mornings and expand, enlarging the crack. Have cracks filled and addressed before the winter chill hits.

Look for Pooling Water – Pooling water on your pavement usually means it is uneven, suggesting potential problems with your sublayers. During freezing temperatures, pooling water can contribute to the creation of potholes. It can also freeze over and present a slip and fall hazard.

Move Heavy Equipment – If you have heavy equipment on your pavement, you’ll want to move it for the season or at least place heavy duty cardboard underneath it. This will keep it from compressing or puncturing the pavement during the vulnerable cold months.

Have it Sealcoated – Sealcoating is usually done one year after the pavement is installed and then every two to three years after that. Sealcoating protects the pavement from harsh weather and cold temperatures. It also adds water resistance and protects the base layers underneath.

Fall is here and that means winter is not far behind. Even mild winters can still have negative impacts on your pavement. Perform this fall maintenance to protect your pavement and you’ll keep it in good condition for longer.

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1. Watch for water puddles – Water can penetrate the surface of your asphalt pavement and erode the base, weakening the foundation. Standing water in the form of water puddles indicates that you have an ineffective drainage system. The best way to guard against water damage is to have an efficient drainage system that pulls water down into the sewer or storm drain and off of the pavement, eliminating water accumulation.

2. Check for cracking – Some amount of cracking is caused naturally by the environment over time. Because of this natural wear and tear, it’s important to have regular maintenance to tend to cracks while they are minor issues. When left unrepaired, cracks can evolve into dangerous potholes or larger, harder to repair cracks. This type of damage can render your asphalt pavement useless. Taking immediate action when you find cracks is key to preserving your asphalt pavement’s lifespan.

3. Invest in sealcoating – Sealcoating is generally performed about one year after new pavement is laid. Sealcoating extends your pavement’s lifespan. It helps cover minor cracks, preventing them from becoming serious problems. It not only protects your investment in your asphalt pavement but it also refreshes the color and look of your pavement, restoring its beautiful appearance and curb appeal.

Your asphalt pavement is an investment in your property and its value. Knowing what to look for and how to make your asphalt pavement last longer helps you maximize that investment. While wear and tear is normal and will happen, how you repair and maintain your pavement makes a huge difference in how long it lasts. Watching for water puddles, checking for cracks and investing in sealcoating will help your asphalt pavement go the distance for you. For more information about sealcoating and asphalt pavement maintenance and repair, call EcoShield today!

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1. Check for signs of ground settlement – If your asphalt is settling and becoming uneven or showing cracks, this could mean the ground or foundation under your asphalt needs repairs or replacement. If left alone, asphalt settlement can cause severely uneven surfaces and major cracks. This can also lead to water intrusion and more serious problems later on. If you notice settlement, you’ll want to plan to address it come springtime, knowing that the winter temps and cold rains could make it worse.

2. Check for potholes and cracks – If you have potholes or cracks, it’s important to have those repaired as soon as possible. Winter chill and cold rains can cause cold water seep under your asphalt through potholes and cracks. Water under your pavement layer is not a good thing as it can cause your asphalt to deteriorate and break down. Repair potholes and seal cracks before the coldest and wettest part of winter hits to protect your pavement layer.

3. Check the thickness of your asphalt layer – The thickness of your asphalt layer can be an indicator of how well your asphalt will hold up to the cooler temperatures and chilly rains. If your asphalt layer is two to three inches thick, you should be okay as long as you repair cracks and potholes and aren’t experiencing ground settlement. Ideally, an asphalt layer of five inches or more is best to stand up to the wet and cold winter conditions. Even if your pavement layer is on the thicker side, it’s important to protect it. Consider sealcoating your pavement to help seal small cracks and help protect against water damage.

While our southeastern winters are milder than other regions, that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down when preparing your asphalt for winter. It’s important to check for ground settlement, potholes and cracks and the thickness of your asphalt layer. A layer of Pitch Black sealcoating can also help protect your asphalt from the elements while being safe for the environment.

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1. Pitch Black sealcoat forms an invisible membrane which protects the pavement beneath it from the elements by deflecting ultraviolet sunlight rays that break down tire rubber and vehicle oils that mix with road salts and other corrosive matter.

2. Pitch Black seals cracks and prevents water intrusion that can cause serious damage to the deeper levels of your asphalt pavement. Water intrusion can lead to deeper cracks, lifting or crumbling asphalt, potholes and other damage. Pitch Black protects against water intrusion and extends the lifespan of your pavement.

3. Pitch Black sealcoat enhances skid resistance providing greater traction for drivers during wet or inclement weather. Additional traction increases driver safety on the roads.

4. Pitch Black sealcoat is eco-friendly and safe for use around humans. It has no asbestos and no PAHs. It is non-flammable and non-toxic. It contains no known carcinogenic ingredients and no coal-tar.

5. Pitch Black is very durable. This pavement sealer is recommended for both repairs and maintenance. It holds up to the toughest conditions on roadways, driveways, parking lots, tarmacs, bike paths, walkways, tennis courts, schools and playgrounds. It does not chip or flake away like other sealcoat products can over time.

6. Pitch Black has the longest lasting color of any sealcoat product. This keeps your asphalt pavement surface looking cleaner, darker and better for longer. This means you don’t have to sealcoat as frequently with Pitch Black as you would with other sealcoat products.

7. Pitch Black pavement sealer saves you money. By not having to apply Pitch Black as often while still protecting the integrity and lifespan of your asphalt pavement, you save money. Not to mention the savings from mitigating the environmental impact of coal-tar based sealcoat products.

Sealcoating your asphalt pavement with Pitch Black provides many benefits beyond traditional sealcoating. It’s eco-friendly, safe for the environment and safe around humans. It is highly durable and provides longer lasting, deeper black color to keep your pavement looking newer for longer. Want to learn more about sealcoating with Pitch Black? Call Ecoshield Asphalt today!

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Inspect Pavement Thoroughly

Inspect your pavement closely for any damage that may have occurred over the winter. Look for cracks, potholes, crumbling and other signs of damage. Repair any major damage as soon as possible and before you move on to the next step.

Sealcoat with Pitch Black

Sealcoating pavement helps seal it and protect against the elements such as UV rays from the sun and rainy weather. It can fill in cracks and help prevent water infiltration. Using Pitch Black sealcoating is an environmentally friendly option that protects your pavement and the local ecosystem.

Touch Up the Paint

If you have any painted areas on your pavement, spring is a good time to touch them up. The paint may have faded or chipped during the winter. Check for fading and chipping in parking lines, no parking areas, speed bumps and handicap areas. Be sure to mark off areas during painting to avoid cars driving on freshly painted surfaces.

Edge to Remove Weeds and Vegetation

Weeds and vegetation can quickly take over an asphalt pavement if not kept in check. Edge your pavement regularly to remove these offenders and keep your pavement looking neat and tidy.

Clean It Regularly

The best way to keep your asphalt pavement looking great is to clean it regularly. This means removing rocks, dirt and debris with a broom or blower. Doing this will help extend the life of your pavement and keep it looking great for years to come.

If you follow these tips, your asphalt pavement will be in great shape for the spring and summer seasons. For more information on spring maintenance for your asphalt pavement, contact EcoShield today. We would be happy to help!

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Why Ban Coal Tar?

In recent years, many states and municipalities across the country have enacted bans on the use of coal tar. While few states or municipalities in the southeast have banned coal tar, there is growing pressure to do so. Coal tar is particularly harmful to children, who are more likely to come into contact with it while playing on treated playground equipment or soil. Studies have shown that exposure to coal tar can increase the risk of cancer, skin problems and other health problems. Coal tar also gets into the local ecosystems such as waterways and wetlands where it kills fish and local wildlife. There is no safe level of exposure to coal tar and bans on its use are the best way to protect public health.

Southeast Bans So Far…

Many stores have banned the sale of coal tar-based sealant products, including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, True Value Hardware and Menards. The city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County recently banned any sealant that has greater than 0.1% PAHs, as has the city of Matthews, NC. Greenville, SC now has a ban on any use of coal tar within city limits. Meanwhile, the city of Boone, NC has coal tar-based sealcoat products listed as conditional restricted use. This means its use is prohibited near sensitive areas such as wetlands, watersheds and other fragile ecosystems.

Why are Some Opposed to the Bans?

There are a number of reasons why people may be opposed to coal tar bans. Some may believe that the benefits of using coal tar products outweigh the risks. Others may be concerned about the cost of switching to alternative products. Still others may not be aware of the health risks associated with coal tar. Regardless of the reasons, it is clear that coal tar is a harmful substance that poses serious health risks. Bans on its use are the best way to protect public health, particularly the health of children.

The Alternative

There are alternatives to coal tar sealcoat products. One such product is Pitch Black asphalt emulsion sealcoat. Pitch Black is 100% non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, has 0.00% PAHs and is safe for both people and the environment. If you want to demand safer, cleaner sealcoating, write to your local and state representatives. Insist they take action in banning coal tar-based products and sealcoats for safer, greener and cleaner communities.

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How Does Asphalt Mastic Work?

Asphalt mastic is often used to repair existing asphalt pavement. The mastic is spread over the damaged area and then pressed into place. As it cools, the mastic hardens and forms a strong bond with the underlying pavement. This bond is what makes asphalt mastic an effective repair material. This makes it ideal for repairing wide cracks, potholes and other damage to your asphalt pavement.

Though mastic asphalt is a durable material, it can still crack and crumble over time. Cracks can form due to temperature changes, traffic and other factors. When cracks form, it is important to repair them promptly to prevent further damage. Asphalt mastic can be used to fill in cracks and help extend the life of your pavement.

Other Uses for Asphalt Mastic

Asphalt mastic can also be used in new pavement applications. After the mastic has been spread over the desired area, it is compacted using a roller or tamper. As it cools, the mastic hardens and forms a strong, durable surface.

Asphalt mastic is a versatile material that can be used for both repairs and new paving projects. It forms a strong bond with the underlying material, making it an ideal choice for areas that experience extreme temperatures or heavy traffic. If you are considering asphalt mastic for your next project, contact EcoShield for everything you need to prepare and apply asphalt mastic.

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1. Address cracks right away –

Cracks can grow and expand in the heat. Water can infiltrate your pavement through the cracks and cause further damage or even mold and mildew growth due to humidity. Seal wide cracks with asphalt mastic and seal small cracks with a high quality, durable sealcoat like Pitch Black®.

2. Check for oil and gas leaks –

Oil and gas can be damaging to pavement surfaces, especially when exposed to harmful UV radiation. The worst offender is diesel fuel, which not only corrodes asphalt but is also highly flammable.

3. Watch for pooling water –

After it rains, check the pavement for areas where water pools. These are depressed or indented areas, usually caused by consistent, repeated pressure (like parking a car in the exact same spot all day every day). Depressed areas can worsen in the heat and eventually crack, allowing water to infiltrate so it’s important to remedy them.

4. Check for loose gravel –

Loose gravel can indicate a structural failure and crumbling asphalt. As with the other items on this list, summer heat, humidity and rains can make this issue worse. Address any crumbling quickly before the summer conditions can worsen it.

5. Look for discoloration –

Discolored asphalt is asphalt that is in need of protection. When asphalt fades to light grey or even white, it has aged and is more prone to cracking, crumbling, indentation, water infiltration and structural failure. It also loses the fresh black look it had when it was new.

6. Seal against heat damage –

Applying a high-quality sealcoat like Pitch Black not only renews the look of your asphalt pavement, it also protects against damaging UV rays, extreme heat, humidity and heavy rains. Sealcoating is one of the top preventative maintenance things you can do to protect your asphalt pavement.

Summer weather conditions are hard on asphalt pavement. The key to keeping your asphalt performing and looking good is a good prevention strategy. Regular checks for the issues in this list, fast repairs, cleaning and sealcoating are your best defense against the intense summer weather. Keep these asphalt pavement maintenance tips for summer handy and if you need anything to maintain, repair or sealcoat your pavement, EcoShield Asphalt Products has you covered.

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The Study Parameters

The study followed twenty-one workers on crews from three separate companies using coal tar sealers. The participants had different levels of protection from Tyvek to none at all to wearing the same clothes during the week. They studied skin exposure, air concentrations and urine concentrations of various coal tar chemicals. Urine was tested before and after each shift. Chemicals from coal tar sealers called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can enter the body through the skin, breathing it in or eating with residue on the hands. Many of these PAHs can be measured in urine tests.

The Results of the Study

What did the researchers find out about coal tar sealers and chemicals? Here’s a quick synopsis:

• Coal tar chemicals were found in ALL workers in the crew and were ALWAYS higher after a shift than before.
• By the end of each work week, 9 out of 10 shift-end samples “greatly” exceeded the level where the workers should expect negative health effects and “genotoxicity” (gene mutations caused by exposure to toxins).
• Four of the PAH chemicals found in the urine samples don’t even have individual safe levels of exposure data “because they have been observed to be carcinogenic in animal studies.”
• Urinary levels of one of the PAH chemicals was over 300 times higher than is observed in the general population.
• The exposure levels observed were “substantially” greater than what has been seen with asphalt workers previously.
• Hose men or applicators had higher concentrations of airborne PAH and skin exposure than non-applicators.
• The exposure could not be explained by any other nearby chemical source.

While considering these results, also consider that children are 30 TIMES more susceptible to the dangers of coal tar and other high PAH sealers than adults. Also consider that the exposure routes included breathing in the chemicals as well as skin contact and residue on the hands when eating (ingestion).

The study did not address whether personal protection equipment or PPE would be sufficient to protect workers. The most effective way to address carcinogenic chemicals in the workplace (even if the workplace is outside) is elimination of those chemicals. There IS a way to completely eliminate exposure to coal tar and coal tar toxins. It’s called Pitch Black Asphalt Emulsion and it contains 0.00% of the harmful PAHs found in coal tar products. It’s safe and environmentally friendly. This study makes it clear that coal tar is a serious danger not only for workers but for others near work sites that could be exposed by proximity. Finally, we have a study from the federal government showing the true dangers of coal tar products and sealers. The time to move to a cleaner and greener solution is now!

Note: A copy of this 32-page study can be purchased at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1438463922000542?via%3Dihub

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