What Are the Advantages of Using Coal Tar Sealer for Commercial Sealcoating?

Commercial sealcoating is a critical maintenance practice that makes a huge difference to the longevity of your pavement in high-traffic areas. The process involves applying a protective layer over your asphalt to shield it, and there are various options available for doing this. Coal tar sealer is a great choice and has been a staple in the industry since before World War II. Your Philadelphia, PA sealcoating and paving experts can tell you more about application specifically to your pavement.

What Are the Advantages of Using Coal Tar Sealer for Commercial Sealcoating?

It’s Long-Lasting

One of the primary advantages of coal tar sealer is how long it lasts. It’s perfect for commercial pavement that has to endure constant stress. Coal tar forms a hard, durable film that can withstand heavy traffic without cracking or wearing away prematurely. In fact, it can often go three to five years: or even longer if you choose a premium formula. Compare that to asphalt emulsion sealers, which typically last only two to three years!

This extended lifespan means you have fewer disruptions, fewer repairs, lower long-term costs, and less frequent replacement of the whole surface.  

It’s Great Protection

Another key benefit is coal tar sealer’s superior resistance to everything you want to protect your pavement from. It doesn’t let fuels, oils, or chemicals get through, which makes it especially valuable in commercial environments where spills can happen. Since the sealant is derived from coal tar pitch, it’s outstanding at resisting fuel penetration in particular.


And, unlike asphalt-based sealers, which often require putting in additives to get anything like a similar level of protection, coal tar inherently repels all these substances. Additionally, it holds up better than asphalt against ultraviolet (UV) rays.

It Looks Good!

Aesthetically, coal tar sealer just has a nice look. It provides a deep, rich black finish that makes parking lots look newly paved. It improves your curb appeal and potentially attracts more customers to your professional-looking space. This dark hue is more consistent and longer-lasting than the matte finish you get with asphalt emulsion sealers.

This dark aesthetic doesn’t compromise functionality, either. In fact, the color retention helps with heat absorption, which can help snow to melt more quickly. Coal tar sealer excels in any climate, but it’s especially useful in places like Philly, where we get freeze-thaw cycles. That’s because it performs better than asphalt emulsion in low temperatures by resisting cracking from expansion and contraction. With fewer cracks, you get less of the water infiltration that can rip your pavement apart.

It’s a Cost-Saver

Coal tar sealer offers significant savings because of its longevity and reduced maintenance requirements, so though the initial application costs are about the same as with other sealants, given the longer lifespan and the way it protects, you have lowered labor and material costs over time.

Our Sealcoating in Philadelphia

Want to see if coal tar is the right sealant for your property? Call us today at PowerSurge Plus in Montgomeryville, PA. We serve Philly, all of PA, and the whole tri-state area. 

Tags: commercial sealcoating, sealcoating, tar sealer
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