Concrete expansion joint replacement question

Slabgasket or Trim-A-Slab will spruce it up a bit compared to backer rod and self-leveling caulk, but it's a little pricier.

I have treated 2x4s to replace in my semi circular drive. They are finally giving out after 26 yrs.

Spray roundup and give it a few weeks. Buy a few tubes of this

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Slabgasket or Trim-A-Slab will spruce it up a bit compared to backer rod and self-leveling caulk, but it's a little pricier.

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backer rod and sealants are the way to go. Won't have to worry about it again

Redwood 2 x 4's. Cost some money but last a good while. Definitely a pain to install, but they look good when done.

Don't bother trying to replace expansion joint, there is no point in the slightest. Expansion joint is there to create a spot so concrete can breathe a bit with temperature changes.

The best and easiest way to seal them back is to clean them out with a pressure washer or something then dry them out good. Go buy some silicon sealant from an industrial supplier, Sika is an industry standard to be used by most DOTs. They make different colors and they use a standard caulk gun to apply it. Tell them how long and wide the joints are and they should be able to tell you about how many tubes you will need. Easy to apply but a bitch if you get some anywhere else so make sure not to try to spread it too much. If the joints are about 1/2" which is pretty standard fiber joint but if they were 1x4s in it then they are probably closer to 3/4 wide, you can take something like a piece of heavy rubber and cut it on a little radius. you can shape the joints up with it but you will do better just to let them settle into the joints anyway because they will get covered with dirt soon enough.

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The best and easiest way to seal them back is to clean them out with a pressure washer or something then dry them out good. Go buy some silicon sealant from an industrial supplier, Sika is an industry standard to be used by most DOTs. They make different colors and they use a standard caulk gun to apply it. Tell them how long and wide the joints are and they should be able to tell you about how many tubes you will need. Easy to apply but a bitch if you get some anywhere else so make sure not to try to spread it too much. If the joints are about 1/2" which is pretty standard fiber joint but if they were 1x4s in it then they are probably closer to 3/4 wide, you can take something like a piece of heavy rubber and cut it on a little radius. you can shape the joints up with it but you will do better just to let them settle into the joints anyway because they will get covered with dirt soon enough.

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If you don't use a backer rod you will use ten times more caulk than needed. Backer rod is much cheaper than the caulk. Also the joints are a full inch and a half wide. Easier to get the reload able larger gun with a inch and a half tip and make the caulk joint in one pass.

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Posted by Message BoostAddict Concrete expansion joint replacement question It's not an expansion joint. Fill it with whatever.

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Do you think you are in the garage door thread?

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Most driveways don't need expansion joints

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Someone needs to break the news to the construction industry then.

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If you don't use a backer rod you will use ten times more caulk than needed. Backer rod is much cheaper than the caulk.

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I can agree with that.

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Also the joints are a full inch and a half wide.

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No expansion joint is an inch and a half wide. If there is a 2 x 4 or 6 that was in there then it was just lazily left in place and was a form, not an expansion joint.

Also, a little trick to make wood joints last longer and stay in place better is to drill a hole about every two feet down towards the bottom of the board and put a nail through it. Leaves enough up top not to just break off and the nails keep it from swelling out of the concrete.