There are different types of pavement sealcoats. (1)Using a refined tar based sealer will usually provide the highest quality protection from water and chemicals.  (2)Asphalt based sealers provide significantly less protection against chemicals found in the environment and harsh climates. (3)Petroleum-based sealers provide protection against water and chemicals somewhere between the other two sealers. Other differences between these coatings is regard to wear, with refined tar based sealer offering the best wear (typically 3–5 years), and asphalt based sealers anywhere from one to three years. A petroleum based sealer will usually fall somewhere between refined tar and asphalt sealer. Make sure you know what your geting when you speak with your contractor you are considering for your project.

One perceived detriment associated with pavement sealer is its discharge to 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. The industry group that represents sealcoat manufacturers has performed numerous research and reviews of the USGS and have found it to be erroneous, biased and too generalized in order to draw the conclusions they claim.