Sealcoat

Sealcoating, or pavement sealing, is the process of applying a protective coating to asphalt-based pavements to provide a layer of protection from the elements: water, oils, and U.V. damage.

The effects of asphalt sealers have been debated. Asphalt sealing is marketed as increasing the life of the asphalt, but there is no independent research that proves these claims. Asphalt sealing can also make the asphalt more slippery and impact the environment.

There are concerns about pavement sealer polluting the environment after it is abraded from the surface of the pavement. Some states in North America have banned the use of coal tar–based sealants primarily based on United States Geological Survey studies.