Everything You Need To Know About Concrete Expansion Joint Filler - A Must-Read Guide

Expansion joints are impressive materials to repair the cracks formed in concrete due to shifts in temperature. During high temperatures, the concrete in a confined boundary undergoes expansion, leading to cracks developing, and that's why concrete expansion joint fillers are required. 

Characteristics of Expansion Joints 

• Used to absorb the contraction and expansion of numerous construction materials safely. 

• Mostly set between sections of railway tracks, bridges, piping systems and paving slabs. 

• Made to endure stress to support expansion and contraction 

• Disconnect the segments of the same material

Categories of Expansion Joints 

There's a wide variety of expansion joints, depending on your application. It mainly includes - 

• Concrete Expansion Joints 

• Bridge Expansion Joints 

• Railway Expansion Joints

• Masonry Expansion Joints 

• Pipe Expansion Joints 

For this blog, we will mainly focus on concrete expansion joint fillers. 

Need of Concrete Expansion Joints 

Concrete is one of the highly durable materials that can withstand any weather condition. However, it has an inherent limitation: it cannot expand and contract according to temperature changes. Whenever there's a temperature change, it causes cracks and damage in the concrete structure. 

Concrete expansion joint fillers prevent such damage by providing a flexible and resilient buffer between the concrete slabs.

Apart from temperature change, many other factors can cause the concrete to shift, creating gaps and openings. Here are a few of those - 

• Soil Movement 

• Traffic 

• Moisture, etc. 

These factors necessitate the use of joint expansion fillers to prevent cracks and damage. 

Common Location Where Concrete Expansion Joints Are Used - 

• Foundation slabs

• Where concrete meets a building

• Near manhole covers 

• Where a flight of steps meets the concrete

• Any bigger concrete slabs, like on sidewalks, driveways, or patios

• Where the pool coping meets the deck

• Where one concrete slab intersects another

How To Choose The Right Concrete Expansion Joint Filler?

When choosing a concrete expansion joint filler, it is essential to consider the specific requirements of your project. Factors such as traffic, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to chemicals and moisture will all play a role in determining the best type of filler for your needs.

In addition to considering the type of filler, you should also consider the installation process. Some fillers require special tools and equipment, while others can be installed using simple hand tools. Choosing a filler that is easy to install can save time and money on labour costs.

When Should You Install a Concrete Expansion Joint?

Pre- Installation - Before pouring, you insert a flexible material that runs along the joint length. 

Post-Installation -You can devise joint filler using a cutting tool after concrete installation. With the tool groove in your poured concrete and insert the joint material. 

The Bottom Line

Concrete expansion joint fillers are essential to any construction project involving concrete structures. You must install it at the time of construction to prevent cracks. However, if you didn't use it during construction, then no worries, you can go with the joint filler post-installation process. It will ensure that your concrete structure remains solid and durable for a long time.