Restoring Concrete Expansion Joints the Easy Way
- Sawing and Cleaning Out the Joints. To remove the old concrete expansion joint filler, we started with the US Saws Dust Buggy Mark III. ...
- Vacuuming Out the Joints. There’s no change in this step. ...
- Concrete Expansion Joint Filler. ...
- Finishing Your Concrete Expansion Joint Repair. ...
How to fill expansion joints?
- Sweep away any dirt and debris from the area.
- Dig out and remove all the old material that's in the joints with a putty knife.
- With a wet-dry vacuum, clean out the joints between the slabs very well.
- Apply a bonding adhesive, usually epoxy, into the joints with a brush.
- Insert foam backer rod.
- Cover and seal the joint.
Do I need an expansion joint?
Good design and construction of contraction joints has virtually eliminated the need for expansion joints, except under special conditions. The improper use of expansion joints can lead to high construction and maintenance costs, pavement growth, and the problems listed above.
Do expansion joints require reinforcement?
To deal with the various forces on the joint they require fiber reinforcement, which guarantees both flexibility and strength. Rubber expansion joints combine a rubber matrix and a reinforcing material, so high strength to weight ratios can be achieved. The reinforcing material, usually a kind of fiber, provides the strength and stiffness.
How do you replace concrete expansion joints?
- Cleaning: Keep dirt and debris out of your expansion joints. Debris can encourage moisture to seep into your expansion joints, causing them to crack.
- Drying: Don’t allow standing water to remain on your expansion joints for too long. ...
- Weeds and plant growth: If you see weeds and plants growing in your expansion joints, remove them immediately. ...
How do you repair an expansion joint in concrete?
Restoring Concrete Expansion Joints the Hard WayUse a scraping tool, like a 5-in-1, to scrape out the old concrete expansion joint filler.Vacuum out the concrete expansion joints.Use a caulk gun with your filler of choice and refill the joints.Scrape the sides and top of the joints to leave a clean finish.
Can you fill concrete expansion joints?
0:151:59How to Reseal Concrete Expansion Joints Part 2 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd as you can see here I'm going to show you how to fill in the concrete expansion joint betweenMoreAnd as you can see here I'm going to show you how to fill in the concrete expansion joint between two concrete pads.
How do you fill a sidewalk expansion joint?
1:392:54DIY Repair Sidewalk Expansion Joints - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA couple of things here. This is self leveling. So you're going to need to kind of go across. AndMoreA couple of things here. This is self leveling. So you're going to need to kind of go across. And come back and you want to get as close to the surface or the top of the concrete. As you can.
What is the best concrete expansion joint filler?
Epoxy and polyurea-based joint fillers are two of the most popular filler solutions. They help extend the lifetime of concrete floors and allow them to perform as intended throughout their usable years.
Should I caulk my concrete expansion joints?
Caulking Concrete Cracks and Expansion Joints Caulking the joints and cracks is the best way to stop this from happening. Even expansion joints in your concrete driveway should be caulked. They can be the biggest culprit of water under your slabs.
Should you fill in concrete joints?
Just remember that expansion joints should always be sealed and filled with a flexible joint sealer and never epoxied or coated over. Contraction joints can be filled in the same manner after a coating or sealer is applied if you desire.
What material is used for expansion joints in concrete?
Minimize Concrete Cracking and Damage with Expansion Joints. ASPHALT EXPANSION JOINT is composed of a blend of asphalts, vegetable fibers, and mineral fillers formed under heat and pressure between two asphalt-saturated liners. It is waterproof, permanent, flexible, and self-sealing.
Do sidewalks need expansion joints?
Concrete expands and contracts with changes in temperature and moisture. If not properly controlled, cracks can begin to appear. Placement of concrete control joints and expansion joints are crucial when designing and pouring concrete slabs and sidewalks.
What can I use to fill gaps between foundation and sidewalk?
Load silicone latex caulk into a caulk gun and snip off the end with scissors. Fill the remaining gap with the caulk until its level with the sidewalk. Hold a putty knife level with one side over the pavement and the other over the caulk.
What is the best expansion joint sealant?
The best option for sealing horizontal expansion joints is QUIKRETE Self-Leveling Polyurethane Sealer. Self-Leveling Polyurethane Sealant is a highly fluid and flexible sealant that will stretch up to 800 percent without failing. This allows for ground movement and expansion and contraction from temperature change.
Can I use silicone as an expansion joint?
Our easy-to-install silicone pavement sealants are suitable for a wide range of applications, including: Expansion joints, construction joints and crack-control joints in concrete. Horizontal or vertical joints in sidewalks and pedestrian bridges and plazas.
Can you use polymeric sand for expansion joints?
When it comes to sands, there are a few options to choose from, such as a natural fine dry sweeping sand or a synthetic sand blend. However, polymeric sand is unique because it will allow the joints to expand and contract with the elements like hot sun during the summer and below-freezing temperatures in the winter.
How do you fill expansion joints in buildings?
Expansion Joint Treatments for Buildings First, clean out the expansion joint. ... Fill the entire expansion joints, up to the surface and over the damaged areas, with the FS-90 Crack Repair Kit. Allow it to cure completely, about an hour, then re-cut your expansion joints – make them about ¾†deep.More items...
Can you put sand in expansion joints?
Specially treated super-fine sand (Silica Sand) that has been washed, filtered for even particles and heat dried to reduce the weight so it does not sink and spreads evenly over the surface of caulk used to replace expansion joints or to repair cracks in concrete.
Can you use polymeric sand in concrete expansion joints?
When it comes to sands, there are a few options to choose from, such as a natural fine dry sweeping sand or a synthetic sand blend. However, polymeric sand is unique because it will allow the joints to expand and contract with the elements like hot sun during the summer and below-freezing temperatures in the winter.
How do you fill space between concrete slabs?
1:2211:17How To Seal A Gap Between Concrete Slabs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow if i have any large holes where voids are starting to form underneath the concrete. I doMoreNow if i have any large holes where voids are starting to form underneath the concrete. I do recommend some sand for that and filling those voids in before you seal off the top with the tremco.
Why Do Expansion Joints Fail?
Seals commonly fail due to adhesion loss and cohesion loss. Adhesion loss is evident when detachment of the seal from joint walls occurs. Adhesion loss is the loss of bond between the sealant and joint walls. Cohesion loss is evident when a tear on or in the seal occurs. Cohesion loss is the loss of internal bond in the sealant.
What is an expansion joint?
An expansion joint is a mid-structure separation designed to absorb vibration, join objects, or allow movement. In structures, expansion joints can help absorb the expansion and contraction of concrete slabs as a result of temperature changes. Without expansion joints, the concrete can crack or distort. However, expansion joints on their own are susceptible to failure. A major issue is incompressible materials that lock the joints and create stresses that may cause concrete spalling or shattering. As a result, seals are frequently installed in expansion joints to prevent incompressible debris from entering the joint. Two types of common seals are strip seals and compression seals.
What are the two types of seals used in expansion joints?
Two types of common seals are strip seals and compression seals.
What is compression seal?
Compression seals are neoprene or cellular seals in the form of a series of web that provide outward pressure against joint walls to hold the seal in place. They are ready for use out of manufacturing, meaning no mixing or curing is necessary.
Why do concrete joints need expansion?
In structures, expansion joints can help absorb the expansion and contraction of concrete slabs as a result of temperature changes. Without expansion joints, the concrete can crack or distort. However, expansion joints on their own are susceptible to failure. A major issue is incompressible materials that lock the joints and create stresses ...
How to apply Belzona 5231?
Using a conventional paint roller, apply mixed Belzona 5231 over the expansion joint repair area.
How much does it cost to repair an expansion joint?
You need to start by cutting out a gap some 4″ wide, rebuild a concrete layer, and cut a new expansion joint. That kind of expansion joint repair runs nearly $20 per linear foot.
What happens to expansion joints without a repair cycle?
Without going through a repair cycle, the edges would eventually start to expose. That would lead to a slow erosion of the expansion joint sides. As this “Grand Canyon” effect erodes the sides over time, it eventually gets to a point where the repair becomes prohibitively expensive.
How does expansion joint filler work?
The first allows the concrete expansion joint filler to settle into the joint and fill any cracks below it. The second pass fills the joint and overfills it slightly with the tape protecting the floor. Even with the two passes, a couple of spots needed a little more to eliminate low spots.
What type of filler did the original installer use?
On our project, the original installer used a combination of foam backer rod and a concrete expansion joint filler that was too rigid for the application. With only the two joint sides to bond with and not the bottom, the contractor got paid for sub-par work that left unsightly cracks in the filler less than a year later as the building settled.
What tool to use to scrape out concrete?
Use a scraping tool, like a 5-in-1, to scrape out the old concrete expansion joint filler.
How long does it take for expansion joint filler to set?
This concrete expansion joint filler is thin enough to get down into the cracks from the building’s settling, yet sets up quickly enough to finish in 10 – 15 minutes. You can match or contrast your flooring in a wide range of colors.
When you're done with scraping, what to do?
Once you’re done with the scraping process, follow the manufacturer’s curing guidelines before letting traffic back on it again.
Why is expansion joint needed?
Having a strong solid expansion joint helps with the following: Helps to inhibit the growth of weeds. Helps to block water from getting below the concrete causing erosion. Erosion creates its own set of problems. If the wood expansion joint has totally rotted leaving a gap, it can create a tripping/falling hazard.
What happens if expansion joints are rotted?
If the wood expansion joint has totally rotted leaving a gap, it can create a tripping/falling hazard. Nice, clean looking expansion joints add instant curb appeal to your home! There are at least three methods to replace the wood expansion joints.
What was the most difficult joint to repair?
The third joint was the most challenging to repair as the wood was so rotten that it came out in lots of small pieces. The gasket fit in very nicely though.
Where is the replacement gasket on a Mallet?
Mallet, Pliers, Pry Bar. The replacement gasket is on the far left, the middle is the old wood from the expansion joint on the right. The gasket can easily be cut with heavy duty scissors or with a miter saw. Totally not necessary but it's handy to use so we did!
Is maintenance a DIY project?
We were very pleased with the outcome of this maintenance project. It was a very doable DIY for us and I'm sure it would be for others. We especially like that it can be finished very quickly, needs few tools, and the results look really good!
What is an expansion joint?
An expansion joint is a material placed in the cracks (or joints) between concrete slabs to protect the slabs from cracking when they contract and expand as the temperature changes. This material acts as a shock absorber, absorbing the stress from the slab's movement. After a while, the expansion joint can dry out and won't absorb ...
How to clean joints between slabs?
With a wet-dry vacuum, clean out the joints between the slabs very well.
How long does it take for a shock absorber to dry?
Let the adhesive dry for about 10 to 15 minutes. Don't leave the adhesive for any longer than that because it should be sticky to touch, not completely dry. Insert foam backer rod. This will be your new shock absorber. Measure the amount of backer rod you need and cut off a piece that's the right size.
How to seal a backer rod?
Measure the amount of backer rod you need and cut off a piece that's the right size. Push the strip into the joint with a putty knife, making sure to push it in all the way. Cover and seal the joint. Apply a liberal layer of self-leveling urethane sealant.
Expansion Joint Wear and Damage
Conventional Expansion Joint Seals
Why Are Expansion Joint Repairs Necessary?
- Seals commonly fail due to adhesion loss and cohesion loss. Adhesion loss is evident when detachment of the seal from joint walls occurs. Adhesion loss is the loss of bond between the sealant and joint walls. Cohesion loss is evident when a tear on or in the seal occurs. Cohesion loss is the loss of internal bond in the sealant.
Expansion Joint Repairs Using The Belzona Solution
- Conventional expansion joint seals have their own individual disadvantages and common failures. Belzona provides polyurethane sealants that protect expansion joints from incompressible debris while offering advantageous mechanical properties including high movement capability, high elastic recovery, and high abrasion resistance. In addition, Belzona polyurethane sealants contai…
Video: How to Fix A Failing Expansion Joint with Belzona
- For this repair, we used: 1. Belzona 4111 (Magma-Quartz) and a wooden batten to reform the nosings of the joint 2. Belzona 2221 (MP Fluid Elastomer) and a backer road to create a new joint sealant 3. Belzona 5231 (SG Laminate)to provide protection of the expansion joint and an aesthetic look Additionally, we utilized Belzona 9111 (Cleaner/Degreaser...