Posted on 06/27/2007 6:56:38 AM PDT by LouAvul
I'm removing the 1x4s the contractor used in place of expansion joint when he poured our concrete driveway. What do I replace it with?
thanx
A trampoline
This should be a very interesting thread.....
Redwood, in honor of Al Gore!
Leave it in there. It will do as a filler for years.
Why do you feel the need to pull them up?
PINGALING
They act as a magnet for termites. The soil was treated when the house was built, but the treatment only lasts about ten years. That was about nine years ago.
There are methods to treat concrete slabs for termites. But an earlier post had a link to possible replacements. Around here we use black Celotex or redwood.
They have jugs of crack filler and the home type stores. Also if you get fruit cake for Christmas you can slice it into 1 inch sections and stuff it in the cracks. I have been told that it will repell termites.
Home Depot sells foam rubber tubes intended to replace expansion joints. It works along with sealant. Find it in the roofing area.
All kinds of resources here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=expansion+joint+concrete&btnG=Google+Search
but it appears that most are wood in material.
I’ve seen a few driveways, and have never seen one have wood in it.
Put the backer rod about 1 in deep and fill with concrete joint filler.
BigMack
I used some leftover Trex lumber (recycled soda bottles) and construction glue to replace some a couple of years ago. Seems to be doing fine.
Go to Home Depot. Get closed cell foam backer rod. 3/4” rod should do it. Stuff the backer rod into the gap leaving a space to fill appx 1/2 the width. Then take Sikaflex self-leveling sealant and apply it into the space. It is very thin and will flow easily. You may need to come back and fill in a few areas later.
The product is available in the concrete section of Home Depot.
Can you tell I’m a technical specialist for Sika Corp?
If he were a good contractor, he’d have used expansion joint material. At this point, you should buy 1” diameter backer rod and a good sealant. Sika products are what the construction industry typically uses.
Stuff the backer rod down about 1” below the surface, and fill the gap with the sealant. It’s like caulking, but is made for the application. You are not likely to find it at Home Depot, you’ll need a concrete specialties or real builders lumber yard.
Sika makes the best stuff! I haven’t ever seen it a home depot though. I get it free for my house anyway from our local dealers. I get free concrete, too, as long as it’s less than a truckload. :) Perks of buying millions of dollars worth of stuff a year.
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