Coal Tar Pitch Roofing Details

Coal tar is a thick dark liquid which is a by product of the production of coke and coal gas from coal.

Coal tar pitch roofing details. Type ii coal tar pitch is intended for below grade waterproofing applications. It may be used in combination with ultraviolet light therapy. The traditional coal tar built up roof is one of the most reliable and longest lasting low slope commercial flat roofing systems available. Type i coal tar pitch is intended for use in built up roof membrane construction.

Coal tar is considered the product of choice for roofs which have ponding water due to its superior ability to withstand extended exposure to water. It is solid for all practical purposes at room temperature. Coal tar s unique molecular structure provides a system that resists water and vapor penetration insect damage chemical attack uv exposure and most elements considered common enemies to other roof membrane systems. Coal tar pitch membranes using coal tar saturated organic felts is one of the oldest systems listed in table 2 these systems perform very well historically but are limited to very low slope applications and must be gravel surfaced because of the low viscosity of coal tar pitch at normal.

Bituminous roofing hits the market back in the pre world war ii years there were two bituminous substances bitumens that dominated the roofing industry. Astm d450 standard specification for coal tar pitch used in roofing dampproofing and waterproofing provides a classification for two types of coal tar bitumen. It is used as a base for coatings and paint in roofing and paving and as a binder in asphalt products. Coal tar pitch is produced by distilling or heat treating coal tar which is a by product of the production of coke or coal gas.

Coal tar pitch roofing in the processing of coal to make coke for steel making volatile compounds are collected from the coking ovens condensed and separated and become the base of hundreds of raw materials including dyes plastics and a byproduct called coal tar pitch. Coal tar pitch is melted on site in an industrial kettle and applied to the roof as a hot liquid. A waterproofing material used since the beginning of time coal tar pitch is a superior and sustainable raw material that is ideal for use within a roofing membrane system. Coal tar pitch is a thick black liquid that remains after the distillation of coal tar.

It has both medical and industrial uses. Industrially it is a railway tie preservative and used in the surfacing of roads. Both coal tar and coal tar pitch contain many chemical compounds including carcinogens such as benzene. A coal tar roofing system represents the industry s premier built up roof membrane assembly.

Historically coal tar pitch was used as a component on the first sealed roads has served as a heating element and was used to manufacture paints synthetic dyes and. Medicinally it is a topical medication applied to skin to treat psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis dandruff. Science and technology 2001.