Coal Tar Pitch Roof System

In the decades since ctem s inception hyload has added several other roofing products to its offering all of which meet our standard for durability longevity and toughness.

Coal tar pitch roof system. Built up roofing in which coal tar pitch forms the waterproofing component of the roof membrane. 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. For years a coal tar pitch roof was regarded as the best roof system in the market due to the fact that coal tar is impervious to ponding water and the material has a low melting point. Hyload has been an innovator in commercial roofing systems since the 1960 s.

New coal tar pitch roof installations however are extremely rare. Even though modern roof technology was limited or next to none these roofs in the past sometimes lasted for up to 40 years. It is solid for all practical purposes at room temperature. The traditional coal tar built up roof is one of the most reliable and longest lasting low slope commercial flat roofing systems available.

As coal tar declines in use most built up roofs today are comprised from the asphalt which is produced from crude oil. History of coal tar roof systems. Coal tar pitch was the roof system of the era and little was known about anything else. Application tools such as melting kettles mops and mop carts needed to be dedicated to either pitch or asphalt.

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 was a by product of processing coal to make coke which in turn was used in making carbon steel and electrodes for the aluminum industry. Because of the different properties of asphalt and coal tar pitch roofers were careful not to mix the two materials on the same project. Coal tar pitch is melted on site in an industrial kettle and applied to the roof as a hot liquid.

Each roof system was created with the materials available at the time. Asphalt a by product of processing petroleum to make gasoline fuel oil and various hydrocarbon polymers was also popular. 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 photographic materials. Beginning with coal tar elastometric membranes ctem that were developed in europe as a low sloped roofing thru wall flashing and waterproofing product our systems are known for their years of superior performance.

Construction definition coal tar pitch roofing. 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.