Expansion Joint Sealant is used to fill gaps in concrete slabs, walkways, decks, and sidewalks. These sealants can absorb impact and expand or contract with the structure. They come in various types such as fluid or gel epoxies, cork or hardwood strips, and polyurethane. Sealants protect against moisture, dirt, and weeds. Wood strips are visually appealing but require more maintenance. Polyurethane sealants are ideal for concrete expansion joints.
Expansion Joint Sealant is a term used to describe a group of weatherproofing products intended for use as aesthetic or functional sealing agents in gaps in concrete slabs, walkways, decks, decks and sidewalks. Expansion joint sealing materials are chosen for their ability to absorb impact and expand or contract with the rest of the structure without breaking or separating. These sealing agents include several types of fluid or gel epoxies and strips of cork or hardwood. Depending on the type of expansion joint, these sealants can be used with or without carrier material.
Expansion joints are generally joints or spaces left between slabs or building elements of the same material to facilitate expansion and contraction due to changes in ambient temperature. While they serve their intended purpose well, they present several aesthetic and practical dilemmas. For example, they tend to be visually unappealing and allow moisture to seep into or underneath the structure. They are also notorious traps for dirt and grime and allow grass or weeds to grow through the structure. All of these problems can be fixed by placing a sealant into the joint gap.
Sealants of this type are formulated for each specific intended area of use and differ from application to application. However, all must be able to handle the wear and tear to which the structure is exposed, as well as expansion and contraction at the same rate. This prevents the sealant from cracking or separating. For this reason, advice should be sought when choosing an expansion joint sealant to ensure the correct grade.
Material used for expansion joint sealants include low viscosity epoxies, silicone gel, polyurethane and cork sealants, and hardwoods such as southern yellow pine, redwood, or western cedar. Most liquid or gel sealants are self-leveling to ensure a flat, blemish-free finish, and can be painted or stained to match the rest of the structure. These sealants are usually applied with a caulk gun or directly from a tube. Epoxy and silicone sealants also offer excellent protection against moisture, dirt and plant weed. Depending on the type of joint profile in question, these sealants are often used in combination with a rubber or foam backing material placed in the gap prior to sealing.
Polyurethane sealants are ideal for concrete expansion joints. It is a flexible and durable sealant and is most often used in areas such as driveways or sidewalks. It can also be used with materials such as wood, PVC and clay. Some new expansion joint sealants are a combination of polyurethane and silicone that have added benefits for abrasion resistance.
Wood strips are also commonly used expansion joint sealing materials. They make a visually appealing seal, but require more care to install and maintain, and don’t have the same durability as epoxy and silicone sealants. The wood used for joint sealants should also be chosen carefully as not all woods are suitable for this application. Dense cork strips are another popular choice although they tend to be unsuitable for high impact or traffic areas.
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