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Replacing wood expansion joints in concrete driveway

Posted on 11/9/21 at 1:14 pm
Posted by Tiger1313
Houston, TX
Member since Oct 2006
88 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 1:14 pm
I have several locations where my wood expansion joints have rotted away causing gaps in my driveway that just look like crap and is annoying.

Has anyone had any luck with replacing? Maybe using a product called Trim-A-Slab? Any cheaper alternatives?
Posted by ds_engineer
South Mississippi
Member since Dec 2014
386 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 1:27 pm to
Have you looked at using backer rod and a self leveling sealant?
Posted by Tiger1313
Houston, TX
Member since Oct 2006
88 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 1:35 pm to
No I haven't so I'll check that out to do some comparisons.
Posted by keakar
Member since Jan 2017
29970 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 1:36 pm to
they make stuff in a caulking tube to fill cracks you can use, but the best result is pour some hot tar in to fill the cracks. just tape off the area so you dont make a mess
Posted by AutoYes_Clown
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Oct 2012
5174 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 1:56 pm to
quote:

using backer rod and a self leveling sealant


In my experience, when wood was used in a joint originally, the joint started at 3/4" (1" piece of wood) and expands to 7/8" to 1 1/4" over the years by the time the wood rots. The backing rods from the likes of Sika are sold as 3/4" wide (round) and the correct procedure for putting 3/4" backing rod in larger joint is to twist them together. It's foam, but after twisting two 3/4" together, the joint really needs to be 1 1/2". The typical 7/8" to 1 1/4" gaps I see are no-mans land for backing rods. I've even tried heating with torch to reduce the foam, but just doesn't work. Things have to be really neat and tight for self leveling.

So I'm following this as well for varying width joints/gaps in old concrete.
This post was edited on 11/9/21 at 1:58 pm
Posted by lsujunky
Down By The River
Member since Jun 2011
2259 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 2:20 pm to
Backer Rod

Sika self-leveling sealant

You will also need a caulking gun for a 29oz tube
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
13858 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 2:27 pm to
quote:

Mutual Industries
(Brand Rating: 4.4/5)
1.25 in. x 400 ft. Closed Cell Backer Rod




https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mutual-Industries-1-25-in-x-400-ft-Closed-Cell-Backer-Rod-1250-0-0/304197578#overlay
Posted by CORIMA
LAFAYETTE
Member since May 2014
523 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 2:28 pm to
lsujunky

Thanks, headed to Home Depot on the way home
Posted by lsujunky
Down By The River
Member since Jun 2011
2259 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 2:29 pm to
quote:

The typical 7/8" to 1 1/4" gaps


They do make backer rod up to 1-1/2". It all depends on how much you need. When you go above the 3/4" DIY stuff at HomeDepot you start getting into bulk rolls with 500-800 foot on a roll to get the larger sizes.

ETA: What Shexter posted
This post was edited on 11/9/21 at 2:32 pm
Posted by Guzzlingil
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2003
2007 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 3:12 pm to
Backer rod comes in 1 1/2" and greater - @ 6' lengths.
Posted by Tiger1313
Houston, TX
Member since Oct 2006
88 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 4:21 pm to
Thanks for all of the input! I'll probably try a few sections on the sidewalk before I tackle the long runs on the driveway.
Posted by Sidicous
Middle of Nowhere
Member since Aug 2015
17127 posts
Posted on 11/9/21 at 6:35 pm to
Mom’s driveway in Hot Springs Village had the wood expansion joints replaced when we went to sell it. Handyman guy replaced them with 2x4. Only took a couple of hours and like 6 boards.

Looked great, worked well for the 3 months or so before moving. No idea how they are holding up for the last 3 years though. I do know it was pressure treated wood though.
Posted by ABucks11
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2012
1142 posts
Posted on 11/11/21 at 10:45 pm to
Learn something new everyday
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