- Sealers are used to serve as waterproof. It is designed to be very soft in order to adapt to the changing characteristic of the concrete slab such as when it is contracting and expanding. The main reason sealers are used is to make sure no dirt, ice or water may be able to leak through the joint which will penetrate the subgrade. The sealant was also used so no chemicals under the slab would be able to pass through such as radon. For aesthetics purposes, a sealant would be much better to make the slabs and floors look better and cleaner.
- A filler is any material that is rigid and durable enough to give some support into the joint’s edge in case of heavy traffic. Saw-cut joints must be used when dealing with this kind of material. Using the edge of any round tool would serve no purpose because it will not be able to aid the filler.
- Wait for the slab to shrink down to its maximum capacity before installing the fillers and sealers. The concrete must be left alone to have some time to shrink before the application of fillers which will be more effective but the waiting could take at least a year. One year after the application of filling and sealers, it should be checked. If necessary, it should be service and repaired accordingly.
- The following are the characteristic of an effective sealant: impermeable, ability to bond with concrete, can adapt with contraction and expansion.
- Prepare the joint before putting the sealant by cleaning it of any debris and dust. Run a vacuum through it before permanently sealing. Sealant must be used properly and according to the maker’s instruction.
- A backer rod is recommended at the joint’s bottom before applying the sealant. This way the sealant does not stick into the joint’s bottom and can expand properly at the top of the backer rod as well as the bottom.
- If you want to conserve on using sealant then a backer rod is recommended as it makes the sealer plug become thinner.
- The ratio for the sealant should be 3:2 according to Guide to Sealing Joints in Concrete Structures, which is contradictory to the theoretical recommendation which is 1:2. Lower ratios may be used on the latest and newly developed sealers.
Filling or sealing joints might be an easy task when you think about it but if not done properly then the result could be unsatisfactory and might be costly. Remember that there are some things that should be considered such as the use of a backer rod. The first thing you should know is that when handling concrete joints, the process of sealing and filling are not the same thing. Both are done to serve different purposes. There might be some cases where both, filling and sealing, are not necessary. Before deciding, here are some things that you should know.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2023
Categories |