Would be wise to caulk the joints? I believe you can get 3/4 inch wide backer rod. Contraction joints can be filled in same manner after coating or sealer applied is this last sentence saying filled contraction joint after the coating. We are buying a 50 year old home where the garage floor has settled several inches and is grading toward the foundation. Easy to Handle and Install Note: Installation instructions and illustrated drawings are recommendations only, while proper local construction methods are the responsibility of the installer. The home is on a hill so the driveway has a decline down to the street. 4. Thanks. Do I apply it right away (24 hours after first application) or do I wait 5 days until it cures? You and I are in the same boat (caring for an older home) and sometimes it springs a leak or two or three!! Thanks Joe for you tip. The idea you gave me about the closed cell backing rod and the sika flex self leveling sealant is the answer to the final weedings ! My husband wants more sealant on one of the joints (the first one he did). Here’s a short video to give you an idea of what needs to be done to remove old sealant from a concrete expansion joint. I will let you know. it is now lifting out of the joint along with sand. I like your video representations for the SIKA concrete sealant but would prefer black. The sealant found a hole and ran and ran down it. I haven’t done this project yet but what do you think about using the material? I have hairline cracks in those grooves between the concrete. I spoke with another friend about this exact issue. Hi Daryl, do you know if the builder used a product like SikaFlex? Thank you! I’d have to do some research to see if black is offered in other brands. 3. It looks really nice now. Make sure to take several pics and send them to me, I should post your project so that other homeowners will know what to do with a similar scenario!! That’s a good sign. Tan was less expensive for some reason. Jeff suggested twisting two backer rods together but it seems to me that this does not make it uniform when inserting into the joint. Our other tutorial shares how to use an angle grinder without hurting yourself. Hope this helps. Backer Rod for Expansion Joint and Crack Repair is a closed-cell backer rod; a soft and pliable filler designed to partially fill concrete expansion joints or cracks in concrete before applying joint sealer caulk. This posting is great reading but I skipped to the end to send this question. The joints are all empty except for soil. As far as the dirt & weeds, you could spray the weeds with a weed killer or vinegar first. However, my driveway has a decent slope to it. further than the other. I’m not sure what sealant you’re using. I bought it at Home Depot in the building materials aisle. Thinset mortar. Prep indeed stinks for expansion joints. It seems that we would actually want water to penetrate the joints of the driveway and sidewalks to encourage constant moisture levels and keep things level. Is this normal? Push the backer rod down into the joint with your hand. And it’s far cheaper to do this weekend project than it is to hire a contractor to replace a severely damaged concrete driveway or sidewalk. After removing all the old sealant use a vacuum or wet/dry vac to suck up any debris from your concrete joints. I thought it was odd, but thought perhaps the product was just black. We have always had a water leakage problem from the expansion seams of the concrete which creates a very damp wet garage.. not a useable storage area! Use a close-cell backer rod for all outside joint filling and for gaps of less than a 1/2 inch that require water resistance. Any ideas on what we could use to fix them? This material is non-absorbent and will allow you to control the depth of the concrete joint sealant. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. has pulled away in the past which I’ll need to remove. That way you only have to place the backer rod so that it’s maybe 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch below your slabs. Install moldings and immediately wipe away any excess silicone sealant. 1. I’d fill the minor cracks with crack filler. Suggestions? Love your advice and want to get started but used the level whereby some of the driveway concrete is higher than the garage slab and some spots are lower. Can they recut the expansion joints and seal the angled cuts? Jeff, this is nice of you sharing your experience with others. Angie. Hope it all helps you. Wood too high &some concrete below wood, causing more heaving and damage to siding and garage wrap. Hey Noah, that’s a great question and I’m not sure. When we bought, it was about $10 vs. $12 per tube. I just bought a house that has a 5,500 sq ft concrete driveway. The rebar is visible at about 1.5 inches down. You can get a tighter fit by combining two pieces, almost like a hair braid. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1/8 in. Thanks. To help you visualize my driveway is 22 X 50″ Long, two lanes and 5 panels on each side. Well, I went back today and realized that it is not the self leveling caulk I had requested. You need to dam up the ends of the joint to contain the sealant. I have removed the plant matter and am wondering if, when I clean it out deep enough, the foam backer can sit directly on the dirt and will this system keep the grass and weed from growing back. Simply push the rod into the gap with a putty knife or painter’s tool until it is just below the surface then caulk over it. This will help to maintain a professional finish and assist with cleanup of any sealant that overflows during application. You might be tempted to cut the tube bigger but don’t. How to get it? Backer rods should be approximately 25% wider than the gap. Utility knife. I’m a kind of person who wants to learn with any opportunity I have, and to learn especially on construction fields every single day. You need initial traffic boost only. We have a concrete patio where no expansion rubber sealant was applied where it meets the foundation. Fingers crossed for the long term. You want it to fill the crack or joint so that when you apply the joint sealant caulk that the caulk stays above the backer rod and does not run under the backer rod and waste your caulk. Hi Jeff, I’ve read about the width between the slabs, but I’m wondering about the depth? Use a cheap caulking to prefill the openings, wait a few minutes for the caulking to set. Just make sure the backer rod is pushed down so that it’s 1/8 of an below the concrete surface. This durable, lightweight, closed-cell, foam expansion joint is the solution for your concrete placement needs. I was wondering if as a temporary solution (for a few years until the slab would need to be replaced) sealing this seam would work to prevent moisture from seeping into the seam with the foundation. Use thin-set mortar when installing cement backerboard. I want to cover the patio with slate tile and am wondering if expansion and contraction will be the much of a concern. I did mine in the fall and leaves galore found the wet sealant. Use the back-end of a screwdriver or some blunt edge tool or your fingers to push the backer rod into place. My question is, now that I have the black neoprene sealant down, is it fine to put the self leveling caulk on top of it? When our concrete steps were poured a few years ago, the contractor did not put an expandable joint between the bottom step and the concrete sidewalk slab. Jeff I have har line crakes in my Pattio do I need to use a grinder to apple sikaflex leveling sealant, Your email address will not be published. Specific Uses: SealGreen Soft Type Backer Rod is suitable for specialty applications where standard backer rods are not appropriate. Is it advisable to seal these as well, and to use backer rod + sealant to fill up the groove such that it is level with the remaining pad? Instead, I am considering cutting part of the backer rod so that it is flat(ish). Thanks Tyler. Hey Mike, great question. There are a few areas where the foam backer or some other type of filler/sealer remains but it is mostly gone and not the seams have sandy dirt and grow grass and other weeds. How would I approach this? Here’s what you can do though. Backer Rod is available in two basic forms: Closed-Cell and Open-Cell. 1/4-inch cement backer board. You could also call Quikrete’s tech support line. Is there width limit to this method? We just used this to seal some cracks in the shower and some members of the family have been itching to shower now! Will it simply run down the expansion joint to the street? I don’t know the answer to the pooling issue. It goes along with my question. I’ll probably buy the smallest tube and give it a shot. This may sound obvious but are your downspouts clogged? Another option is to look for refurbished items on Amazon. While caulk alone can be applied to narrow cracks, gaps wider than 1/4” should be filled with foam backer rod first. It took hours and hours to dig out old expansion joint materials, weeds, dirt, etc. Thanks for posting. What would you suggest for sealing inclined joints? Driveways and sidewalks can be super expensive to repair. Great info! I live in NH where it gets pretty cold in the winter. Have you ever used the Quikrete version of the self leveling sealant? Thanks for your prompt response, Jeff. You can always call the maker of the sealant and ask them for advice. Any advice would be most appreciated! Do they have a choice for black or do you have any other product recommended with the black color? Here is everything you need to know about backer rod. FYI, acetone will go through nitrile gloves, so if using these to protect against the acetone, then you’d want to consider butyl rubber gloves. And you can dam the edges of the gap so that sealant doesn’t ooze out of the joint. Click to … But call the Sika technical service line and see what they say. May the good bless with you and your family. I know this firsthand because the prior applied self-leveling sealant directly on top of the old material. Jeff, we did our driveway joints with the backer rods and the self leveling sealant as recommended. Always use a backer rod sized just bigger than the crack or joint you are trying to repair. I don’t know if Sika makes black. Also the patio meets concrete steps going to the basement which were experiencing the same problem. The crack filler is better than concrete as it will expand and contract with the weather. Hope this helps a bit. Also, traditionally the method of choice for expansion joints has been to use wood hammered into the gaps. I just got my driveway repaired, I have 4 new concrete slabs. I priced all this stuff out 4 yrs. However, if it’s not this would be wonderful to let people know about since sometimes you only need a few feet. Darn workmanship, it can be good or bad. You should call Sika’s technical service line and as them their thoughts. If you look at the expansion joints between your concrete you might see black felt or old sealant. Ever here of this, will it work possibly? I learned this after I laid the backer rod, got my project interrupted, and got back to it days later. Great article. Very informative! You could give this utility knife technique a try. 3. I can picture my kids poking sticks in it or something? Can you use sand in place of backer rod? Otherwise you’ll have a little hump that develops when you apply the sealant. Do you have any ideas on how to avoid the blob? Like I said in our emails you have a TON of fantastic tips. Are there larger diameter backer rod material? 129 square feet: $114.26: $171.42: Backer Board Installation Labor, Basic Basic labor to install backer board with favorable site conditions. I m wondering if your guidance re replacing expansion joints applies here as well. To obtain a more textured and incognito appearance is it possible to sprinkle sand to the surface after caulking and if so how soon afterwards should this be done. Hey John, sorry to hear about your water issues. I love discovering new ideas and adding to my tool box of knowledge 🙂. larger than the crack. Can I use the grinder to create a joint and follow these directions. Thanks, Lou. This post is a life saver! Backer rod is an essential part of the package of materials you will need for expansion joint repair or expansion joint replacement. Really pathetic. Use an open-cell backer rod for gaps of more than 1/2 inch wide. Will the Sika sealant fill in the gaps around it? Jeff, can you post or email me the link to Amazon for the preferred tile cutter blade you reference in your written outline? But what should be done with a crack that gets wider within the control joint itself? SealGreen Soft Type Backer Rod is a soft close cell, pliable and non-gassing backup material that is inserted into a joint to control sealant depth. Finally, pour or squeeze joint sealant into the crack or joint on top of the backer rod. Step 4: Applying Backer Rod to the Joint. Here’s a BIG TIP: the diameter of the backer rod should be 1/8 inch larger than the width of your concrete expansion joint. 2. Let me know. Overall, it will cost more but it will give me a more even look due to the self leveling compound as opposed to the wood which would have to be cut due to the variances in depth due to tree roots and muck that can not be removed from the joint cracks. I’m glad that happened instead of it moving around with wet the sealant on it trying to set. Thanks!! Let me know what you think Jeff! Backer board screws. These flexible foam tubes are available at building supply stores in several diameters. You’re so cute! I’ve never heard of this option but that’s pretty cool. You’ve created a great resource here which has clearly been useful for many people. Sikaflex will be tack free in 1 to 2 hours and fully cured in 3 to 5 days. You can get 3/4 inch foam backer rod and it should fit pretty tight in your gap. It pops up and you have to constantly push it back down. http://usa.sika.com/en/solutions_products/02/02a024/02a024sa008.html. We replaced it and the wooden expansion joints. My garage control joints are about 5/8″ and are not very deep at all. Jeff, My daughter’s home in North Carolina is three years old. Position the backer rod in the gap and push it down below the level of the joint. This question does come up a lot about the pooling action. But if that’s too small the directions on the package say you can twist two pieces together to get a larger diameter. dirt and debris stuck in buff/off-white wet caulking. Then use a closed cell foam backer rod in between the joints. The foam backer rod should not be greater than 1/2” and should be placed in the gap prior to caulking. I would like to first use Styrofoam material to fill in the gaps kind of like backer rod material but Styrofoam. I’ll give it a try when it warms up (I live in MN). Does this method apply for expansion joints on walls of 2 storey building? When I called Sika, the company that makes the self-leveling sealant for this kind of project, they told me to use a utility knife to remove old material and clean off any remaining residue with acetone. Apply a big bead between two slabs of concrete and you will have a nice flat shiny surface in a few minutes. Thank you. This in turn applies pressure to the expansion joints and that’s what causes the Sika to pull away. Will this pose any problems in Michigan winters? Should I be worried that mother nature will ruin my work? Isolation joints and control joints are a bit different in their makeup. I don’t see my problem addressed anywhere. Any suggestions? but it was worth it when it was time to pour. I have been working on the driveway of my boyfriend’s rental house since spring. They’ve always been great at answering my questions. Just called them. EVERY neighbor who has this project ahead of them (which is every neighbor) will stop and want an explanation. If your joint is wider than the backer rod you can twist two stands together like rope. Thanks Dean for your kind words. As you know, these forms don’t always fully contain the concrete as some inevitably oozes under the boards before it hardens. This post shares how to accomplish this task. I have one joint that is wide, so my contractor twisted the backer rod as you explained, but there is one problem. Just make sure that your joints can accept SikaFlex Self-Leveling sealant based on the directions. Ask your questions below and we’d be happy to help. This means the backer rod should be this far below the concrete pad surface. Then I figured that sand will not be compressed when the concrete gets hot and so the concrete will crack. But the application of the new sealant is as easy as caulking. Can I use the same sealant in these cracks and do I use the foam too? It fors not make sense to me Is there any way to chat with you? By the way, the backer rod can be found in the same section as the concrete supplies at the hardware store. I did however remove weeds where I noticed the expansion cracks to be about an inch wide and the dirt inside it goes down VERY deep. This maximizes Since the sealant is very new, can I go back this spring and add more (there’s room) and use a tool to level it? However, if the project is a pain in the butt then maybe living with the control joints the way they are isn’t too bad. It does not wash off with water. I’d recommend getting backer rod and filling in the joint with it such that the foam is slightly below the concrete. How do we break the concrete loose from the board so we can remove the board and replace it with a foam backer rod and self-leveling sealant? I love all the tips, especially the simple yet useful ones like “use an old wire hanger” to piece the tube – how many times have I raided the closet for a hanger to so just that. Thank you. Grass is growing. The problem is that the joint width is about 3 1/4″!! You want that backer rod tight against the house and pad, that way you won’t be using excess sealant. Apply the backer rod to your specified depth for the sealant application. It’s been about 4 years since I did the work and now it is weathering and showing gaps again. What was once a smooth transition into my garage is no longer. If there isn’t a product that will not work well on slopes, would my only option be the extruded ribbon type products like “Trim-a-Slab”. Push the backer rod down into the joint with your hand. 1. Or should I just use the backer rod and leave the space empty below it? Without a concrete expansion joint your sidewalk or driveway would crack. 2. INSTALLATION: Joint or opening must be clean, dry and free of obstructions. Thanks Amanda and congrats to you helping with the DIY, always good to learn new stuff. Or is it not necessary? Thin-set dries slowly, allowing you to fix and readjust backerboard sheets as needed. If this has been mentioned already, sorry, but would also have a bucket if fine sand and spread it over the caulking as you go, makes it look a ton nicer when finished. After the job was done, I noticed that there is no expansion joint between the slabs, there is only a crack line. Once the gap is cleaned, the builder chooses an appropriate size and type of rod to use. Sorry for all the questions but they’ve been uncooperative since we asked them to dig out a 6×6 ft. solid concrete dumping (4″ thick solid washout waste bonded to curb, soil and grass) on our front lawn (still there!). Who wants tires tracks of sealant on their driveway (not me and I certainly don’t want to explain this to my wife). The damaged sealant were removed and I am stuck now due to rain and cannot pour the new sealant. The sheetrock by the joint is wet and moldy. This tool was designed with the user in mind, for the installation of backer rod into concrete contraction joints. It’s July 10, 2017. I just did my expansion joints with backer road and Sikaflex. above the tub. Always feel free to ask any question or add your own tips!! These are getting old and the wood is decaying. Whew, good to hear your contractor came back Jeff. DO NOT use acrylic sealant. This would be a good option since the black would hide stains and whatnot. Here’s a tip, measure the width of the crack and find a concrete crack filler that can accommodate that dimension. If you do this step, make sure the Acetone flash dries (Sika said to wait about 1 hour). Whew, your driveway is a big boy!! Push foam backer rod into the crack. No caverns and no weeds! One month after each application of caulk, the caulk cracks then allows sand to escape again. I’m also going to look for a good sealant/concrete repair material to try and stop the long linear cracks I see as well. Use the back-end of a screwdriver or some blunt edge tool or your fingers to push the backer rod into place.4. Even stone colored sealant draws attention to the expansion joints. They poured directly on sand, is that okay? I think that you’ll end up with a great looking result that will last. This allows you to also control the application depth of the sealant – which is key to proper installation. In my case it would bigger the better. Looking over my contract, all it basically says is that he will “prep, form, and pour 4″ thick concrete and 6″ thick at the end of driveway w/ limestone mix, wire mesh, broom finish, cured, and cut. Glad to help any time Wabi, thanks for coming by 🙂, Dear Sir, I am in middle of resealing the concrete slab pavement. Make sure to read the label on the product that you decide to use. You may have to apply it a few times but I’ve had great success using it on patios & siding. I thought about the SLAB GASKET material but there’s no “One size fits all”. Great video Jeff! It looks fine after a week. Man…thanks for such a description for beginners like us.. you are awesome that while going through your notes we wished that everyone could describe each single point for easy grasping to the one who reads…it’s awesome …hats off my friend…. Backer rod should be 1/2-inch deep from the surface. Insert backer rod into the gap, then run a bead of caulk over the top. Will let you know how it’s going. They poured in two sections at 28 ft. and 32 ft. Do we need to seal that joint? above the lip of the tub. Just how “self levelling” is the Sika product? For example, if the widest point in your crack is 1/4 inch wide then use a filler that states it can fill a 1/4 inch or larger crack. I have a picture of it if you are interested. I think I’ll have to go visit Lowes/HD and check it out. Backer rod comes in various sizes - 1/4", 7/8" and 1 1/8". Not off your concrete and not off your hands. Hi thank you very much for the useful info. Jig saw with masonry blade. Four years is pretty good. The depth of the joint should be a minimum of 1/4 inch and a maximum of 1/2 inch below the concrete pads. Make sure you wear safety glasses and protective gloves since the cutting wheel sparks a bit when it occasionally touches the concrete. The concrete slab itself is in good shape without lots of cracks so on its own doesn’t need to be replaced right away. Step 5 Then, using a utility knife, cut the tip of the nozzle, and insert the tube into a standard caulk gun. I went to Sika’s website and see MANY self-leveling sealants…..which one should I get for the concrete joints? So any additional advice on the issue is fantastic. 5. I’ve never done this before so keep me posted 🙂. Do I need to fill that hole before I fix the seal? Always use a backer rod sized just bigger than the crack or joint you are trying to repair. Maybe the air pockets are helpful though with winter heaving? They added something to prevent freezing as it was 45-50 degrees and mid 30’s at night. It is a 1-car garage so that each joint length is less than 1 foot each. Should I sandwich together foam expansion joint material to fill this space??? Is on We are having a professional place polyurea with polyaspartica too coat. The sealant is all gone over the entire driveway. It’s raining off and on interrupting my work. thanks. Where we live it gets snowy in the winter and all that moisture ends up falling off our cars onto the garage floor… Thanks for your advice! Should thicker joints be applied in layers, allowing one layer to cure before the stacking on a second layer? Only wish I would have been informed by the contractor that this would happen and the possibilities that are out there to resolve this issue. 1. Many sizes/diameters are available for optimal fitting to the size of the joint being sealed. And yes, I’m speaking from experience 🙁. I know we have to fix the joint to keep water from coming up. When can we safely drive on it? INSTALLATION PROCEDURES. I read online that backer rod has gas in it which will release and weaken its integrity if cut so I did not trim the top of it as another poster did. Thanks for your question, I got a similar one recently from another friend and have the same issue myself. I’m wondering whether creating a water-tight seal is appropriate for an area with expansive clay shrink-swell soils. I will use your guide to do mine. Honestly, I’m not sure what to do with concrete control joints. And if concrete, should I fill the expansion joints first or the cracks? Otherwise, the new sealant will not adhere correctly. If that gap is super wide you can combine two pieces of backer rod together. But you’re right, it’s not perfect. I took plenty of rags and paper towels but did not get the proper cleaning solvent. My husband wants to rent a grinder and make the joints himself. Hi Jeff, The problem I have is my side patio, that buts up to my house is pulling away from the house and I have a big gap there and water is get down the side of my foundation. They look kind of dumb with the nice grey sikaflex expansion joints. Now I’m in the same predicament as you! In which case you’d have to reattach them or just reroute the downspouts so that they drain 4-5 feet away from the foundation. I’ve experienced similar problems John, it’s mostly due to the fact that nothing is permanent. Backer rods are usually round, flexible lengths of foam that are used as a “backing” in joints or cracks to help control the amount of sealant/caulking used and create a back stop. My question is about the longevity of this solution. Please let me know how this project works out for you so that we can feature in on DIY Success Stories. Because the backer rod is tubular, they tend to roll away from each other when you insert it into the joint. Jeff, you are so helpful. You can actually see dirt. It takes way longer than expected. You’ve got a buddy in me 🙂. I have weeds growing out of the expansion joints in my driveway and was going to buy a tool for this but I thought they were too expensive. 4. The angle grinder cutting wheel had to penetrate about 1/2 to 1 inch down through the sealant layers. For a smooth, even bead, tool the caulk with a plastic spoon. I have a sort of dumb rookie question that I seem to not be able to find on the Sika PDFs about the product (so I will apologize ahead of time) but what exactly is the dry time for Sika Cement Fix? You may want to add the information that if the backer rod is twisted to fill the joint the mastic is going to leak around the openings on the outside of the twists. Admittedly, I haven’t tried it yet but will. (Thin-set mortar ingredients are cement, fine sand and a water retaining agent. His ends were not secure and when he woke up the next morning it looked like the Loch Ness Monster was breaking the surface. It’s been about 28 hours now and I read somewhere that it needs 72 if we are planning to paint (we are not). I have an expansion joint where my garage ends and driveway begins (and I can’t wait to follow your instructions to fix) and then I have another between the side of the driveway (concrete) and the RV pad (asphalt). My EJs go all the way down to the earth. • Prior to installing the moldings, apply silicone sealant to the portion of the molding or transition that will contact directly with the laminate flooring surface. Hope this helps. Your page can go viral. I’d think that would work and you could always test it out on a small section of the control joint (like 12 inches). A little lazy more Sika those unfilled control joints too situation to them transition my! Appropriate for an easy to understand base of my south Carolina home 1 inch down the. Plastic spoon cracks which leaves a little gap little gap your driveway is x. A room addition and there’s an expansion joint filler on a driveway about! Have much to spend so any cheap ideas will help the grass applying any.! 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