Repairing expansion joints
Expansion joints on concrete driveways are typically 1-inch thin strips of wood running the from side to side across the slab. Expansion joints allow the concrete to expand and contract based on the weather conditions. Without expansion joints a concrete driveway will crack and lift. Over the course of time, the weather causes the wood to rot and degrade rendering the expansion joint useless. If left damaged or missing, water seeps into the exposed area, lifts and cracks the concrete due to the freeze/thaw pattern. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Strike a chisel with a hammer to break the old expansion joint and lift it from between the concrete slabs.
2. Scrape out old caulking and pieces of wood with a metal scraper.
3. Sweep the debris out of the gap.
4. Roll out foam backer rod running the length of the expansion joint and cut a piece long enough to fit in between the concrete slabs with a utility knife. Foam backer rod is a dense, solid foam that is much more resilient than wood.
5. Push the foam backer rod forcefully into the gap. Place a wood stake over the foam and tap with a rubber mallet to set it in just below the surface of the existing concrete.
6. Apply a thick layer of self-leveling expansion joint sealer over the length of foam backer rod up to the surface of the driveway. Apply the self-leveling compound from a tube or with a caulking gun.
Tags: expansion joint, between concrete, between concrete slabs, concrete slabs, Expansion joints
