How to Fill Large Expansion Joint in a Concrete Driveway
Expansion joints play a key role in preventing cracks in concrete driveways. They run through the depth of a slab to allow concrete to shrink and expand with changing temperatures. Typically filled with a semi-flexible material like cork, rubber or pressure-treated wood, large expansion joints must have a tight fit to prevent water from seeping under the driveway. This is a do-it-yourself task that takes about an afternoon to complete.
Things You Will Need
- Hand brush
- Wet-dry vacuum
- Foam backer rod
- Utility knife
- Foam backer rod
- Putty knife
- Self-leveling urethane sealer
- Caulk gun
- Concrete sealer
- Roller brush
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Remove any dirt, leaves and other debris from the large joint with a hand brush. Use a wet-dry vacuum to suck out any remaining loose debris.
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Cut foam backer rod to fit the length of the joint with a utility knife. The backer rod should be a little wider in diameter than the width of the joint. Lay the material over the top of the joint and push it to the bottom with a putty knife. Once in place, the top of the backer rod should be about one-quarter inch from the surface of the driveway.
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Attach a tube of self-leveling urethane sealer to a caulk gun. Start at one end of the joint and fill the remaining joint with the sealer. Smooth the surface with the putty knife or a concave jointing tool. Block off the driveway so the joints can set for at least 24 hours.
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Apply an even coat of concrete sealer over the driveway and expansion joints with a roller brush. The sealer repels water and stains. Wait a day full for the sealer to dry and plan to re-apply it every 2 or 3 years.
Warning
Wear safety goggles and gloves when working with the urethane sealer.
Writer Bio
Aurora LaJambre is a writer and editor living in Brooklyn, N.Y. For over five years she's covered topics in culture, lifestyle, travel, DIY design and green living for print and online media. Her publication credits include "WOW Women on Writing," "Six States" and Catalogs.com. She graduated from New York University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in creative writing.
Photo Credits
- Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
- Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
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