Is aphaltic coating for substructures necessary?

[cougarX]

Why is it that pilecaps are coated but the piles themselves are not? Could it be:

1) piles are in compression, as such any cracks would be closed and the reinforcements are prevented from being corroded?

2) pilecaps uses lower strength concrete?

What must i do to prove that the asphaltic coating are not required on a particular pilecap?

 

[pug]

The coating is to keep the de-icing salts out of the concrete. Todays methods are to use either waterproof joints or good plumbing under open joints so that the de-icing salts do not contaminate the cap. Therefore, no asphaltic coating is required. Besides, where needed, a non-penetrating sealer is far better than the asphaltic coating.