Gilsonite, or North American Asphaltum is a natural, resinous hydrocarbon found in the Uintah Basin in northeastern Utah. This natural asphalt is similar to a hard petroleum asphalt and is often called a natural asphalt, asphaltite, uintaite, or asphaltum. Gilsonite is soluble in aromatic and aliphatic solvents, as well as petroleum asphalt. Due to its unique compatibility, gilsonite is frequently used to harden softer petroleum products. Gilsonite in mass is a shiny, black substance similar in appearance to the mineral obsidian. It is brittle and can be easily crushed into a dark brown powder.
Gilsonite is found below the earth's surface in vertical veins or seams that are generally between two and six feet in width, but can be as wide as 28 feet. The veins are nearly parallel to each other and are oriented in a northwest to southeast direction. They extend many miles in length and as deep as 1500 feet. The vein will show up on the surface as a thin outcropping and gradually widen as it goes deeper. Due to the narrow mining face, Gilsonite is mined today, much like it was 50 or 100 years ago. The primary difference is that modern miners use pneumatic chipping hammers and mechanical hoists.
Sealcoating or pavement sealer is liquid coating mixture that is applied to asphalt based pavement. Sealcoat or pavement sealer is a protective coating for asphalt-based pavements. Sealcoat is much like paint used to protect wood from the environment. Since asphalt pavements are porous, a sealcoat or pavement sealer is utilized in order to shed water and other chemicals from the deterioration of the asphalt pavement. This is especially important in those areas that are subject to a freeze/thaw cycle.
Your asphalt driveway represents a substantial investment. It's also the welcome mat to your home. A properly maintained driveway reflects your pride and commitment to maintaining an attractive home and property. It also makes economic sense to maintain your driveway. With a systematic program of pavement maintenance including crack filling and applying sealer every 1-2 years, your asphalt driveway can last over 25 years. Sealing your driveway with the proper sealer gives your driveway that "new appearance", enhancing curb appeal as well as property value.
No matter if you, the homeowner, or a sealcoating company applies it, the coal tar emulsion sealer contains approximately 25% coal tar pitch. You also get 15% clays, 10% fly ash and up to 50% water or more. The texture is controlled by altering the viscosity and changing the PH levels with latex additives.
That is right! Coal tar emulsion can be up to 50% water!
* They contain more than 200 forms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), seven of which are known carcinogens.
* PAHs:
- Are toxic to plants, mammals, birds, fish, frogs, and other aquatic organisms.
- Are known and probable carcinogens that are easily transported through the environment and get ingested by aninals and humans. Children are escpecially at risk.
- Build up in wildlife tissue - this is an issue for humans when fresh water and salt water are consumed.
- Contaminate soil and water resources and are easily transported via a number of routes, as described below.
- Have been measeured in dust from buildings adjacent to coal- tar sealed parking lots. PAH concentration are 25 times higher under these conditions as comapared to building without adjacent seal-coated surfaces.
* Living adjacent to coal-tar-sealed parament( a parking lot or driveway, for example) is estimated to increase lifetime cancer risk 38 times, and much of the increased risk occurs during early childhood.
* particles are worn off by vehicle traffic or snow plow, and transported by stormwater runoff, adhesion to tires, tracked on shoes, and wind.
* Studies found that water running off a parking lot with coal-tar sealant had from 30 times to greater than 50times more PAHs than water from an unscaled parking lot. This contaminated water drains into rivers, streams, lakes, and the ocean putting fish and other aquatic life in jeopardy.
* Made from a selectively refined fraction of crude oil (from refining petroluem).
* Less harmful and less of a skin irritant (coal-tar burns skin on contact)
* Gives longetivity with quality ingredients and proper application (lasts two to four years)
* holds up best in lower use/traffic area.