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"It has polymers in it so we can harness the maximum performance from the binder used in making the coating," Mariani says.

Conwell says a number of Neyra customers switched last year from coal tar to asphalt sealer, and early indications this year are that many of those who switched will continue using the asphalt-based product.

Conwell says application of the two different materials is similar. The only point he cautions contractors on is for those switching from coal tar to asphalt sealer (or vice versa) during the season.

"We recommend that before they put an asphalt-based sealer into a tank that contains coal tar that the tank contains no more than 10% coal tar," Conwell says. "For a 500-gal. tank they should get it down to 50 gallons or less before adding the asphalt emulsion. Get as much of the previous product out of the system as you can before adding the new material."

Conwell says that contractors using asphalt emulsion for the first time need to follow the producer's recommendations much more closely than for coal tar sealer.