How To Seal A Gap Between Concrete Slabs
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- Tremco Vulkem 45 SSL: amzn.to/3kt0yOX
Proper sealing between concrete slaps in your driveway or sidewalk can help to reduce costly maintenance down the road. This video will specifically show you how to seal an expansion joint which is on a slope up to 6%. The Vulkem 45 SSL product is great and I was very happy with the results.
Supplies Used
Tremco Vulkem 45 SSL: amzn.to/3kt0yOX
1" Backer Rod (25'): amzn.to/3Dkez9j
3/4" Backer Rod (20'): amzn.to/3Hewssu
5/8" Backer Rod (20'): amzn.to/3F1AZMM
1/2 Backer Rod (20'): amzn.to/3klqCeX
Chapters
0:00 Intro
2:42 How To Calculate Driveway Slope
3:55 Prep The Expansion Joint
5:33 Installing Backer Rod
8:35 Applying Vulkem 45 SSL Sealant
9:57 Placing a Top Coat of Sand
10:20 Wrap Up
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DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. 
Хобби
Applying the sand on top is very smart not only to blend but to protect the Polyurethane from UV exposure and extending the life of this expansion joint. Great job.
I did this 30 years ago. And it's still in place.
I like the precise instruction he gives with full sincerity and no nonsense type presentation
Your channel has started my new obsession, house and yard care projects
Welcome to the team 😂
Super helpful, thank you! I've been meaning to fix some gaps and sinking slates on my driveway/step without breaking the bank, even if it will only last 5-10 years. Having already bought the supplies, I'm looking forward to warm weather in 2024 to start this project!!! Thank you!
If you slightly pull or stretch on the backer rod during installation, my experience proves its dimension narrows enough to more easily fit the void without having to do all the poking. It’s a feel, but a slight twist along with gently stretching also narrows it, and one it is properly positioned, the rod relaxes holding right in place. For even larger gaps, usually where the slab meets the garage floor or the curb; I’ve used insulated pipe wrap for copper piping. It’s the same closed cell foam as the backer rod. Just be sure to fit it tight at junctions because it usually isn’t a continuous length. I’ve found rather than butting the end together, it’s better to force one end deeper in the crack and slightly overlay the next piece on top. The same is true for the regular backer rod wherever there may be a seam.
Here’s a suggestion. If you have Company that sells concrete products, landscape blocks, etc, the one in my city has every size of backing rod either on spools or in sticks. It’s way less expensive. I bought 300 feet of backer rod for $10.
Why not use clean sand instead of backer rod to fill in the crack first? Seems like it would be faster, easier, and cheaper. Just thinking....
Whaaaa, can you give an example of a company that does this??
Great video. I did a similar project but I used something different than sand on top. I went to a local landscape supply place and found the aggregate that most looked like my exposed aggregate driveway. I took a bucket and swept up the dust from the bottom of the aggregate bin and put that over my sealer. It matched the driveway color very closely and gave it a nice blended look.
Clever!!
I've used Tremco's Vulkem products for years. Another tip is that if you don't want to apply sand and need the surface to skin up faster to prevent leaves from sticking you can mist the surface with water. Vulkem is moisture curing and that will allow the surface to skin over and keep things like leaves from sticking.
Nice, thanks for the tip Jeremy 👍
Jeremy you are absolutely right( most urethane sealants are moisture cured) but if the concrete gets wet before the sealant has cured it can affect the bond. I have installed miles of sealant on flat work and what I do is get a sheet of Masonite, rip it into approximately 4” wide strips for typical 3/4” joints, wider for wider joints, and tape it over the joint. If the sealant is installed properly the Masonite won’t touch the sealant.
@@EverydayHomeRepairs Hi, please, , I need to cover the space between the wall panel and the patio floor concrete. There is a gap of 2 cm through which mice, cockroaches and frogs enter. I'm afraid of using putty between two different materials (the wall panel and the concrete) and breaking the wall panel when the product expands. What do you advise me ) Does this product accept to glue these two different materials or does it only glue concrete with concrete ?
Another Wet tooling flim flam man trick
Thank you for the tip!
Excellent information and instructions! Thank you
Your video was fantastic for us! My boyfriend and I watched it twice& applied the backer rods and Velkum to the gaps in his driveway and his patio. The suggestion to sprinkle sand over the fresh bead of Velkum is spot on! All the gaps now look like they were sealed with concrete! A true professional job! We used Velkum 45 in Limestone, backer rods from Amazon size 1. 1/2 inch, and very fine white play sand. Excellent overall video! We just want to say thank you very, very much!
Not 2 fantastic really I worked for Real Legit caulking companies for decades and would be fired immediately if I ever just pumped caulking in a joint and didn’t even knife it The finish knifing is the skill and Caulking is a trade not just a specialty skill but Endless “ experts “ all over utube are Flim Flamming Cob jobbing and worst of all Wet Tooling which could get Entire companies thrown off jobs Contracts Voided not just the wet tooling one The sand actually isn’t a bad idea on a hot sunny day and dark caulking or if you want the aggregate look but you have to tool it to seal it otherwise It’s NOT A SEAL WHICH IS THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF WHAT YOUR SUPPOSED TO BE DOING!! Also caulking sidewalks and concrete joints is mostly completely unnecessary and often times does more damage than good even if you are a real caulker
Excellent video, thank you for the information!
Perfect video. I enjoyed watching. Now I need to search for your prep video thanks!
Just what I needed. Thank You Sir.
Great video I have to raise my sidewalk and this is cake and easy going in this weekend I already have everything I need Thanks
Thx Scott. Very helpful videos.
Fantastic! Just the right info I was looking for. Thanks!
Great video! Very helpful. I am trying to start my own business and pressure washing is one of the services.
Great video! Thank you for your hard work on this!
Excellent information, thank you!
this video was very helpful thankyou
Excellent video and information....thank you
I use the self leveling sealant on my RV. It does not las long in South Texas. Good tips on cleaning up
the area before applying the sealant. Good information on the backer Rod.
I don't think that's the same kind of sealant.
I love that. I wonder if it last for so many years. I am using the asphalt type like the one you took off before you started the project. It is a knuckle buster and lasts about four years looking sharp. Thank you for sharing. My next project for the spring
Great sand tip. Thanks for the video!
You bet.
I have sidewalk cracks. Your video provides understandable step by step directions. I plan to fix one crack first using your method, products and tips. If it works, I’ll do the others. I’m wondering if living in Hawaii with its humidity requires special consideration on the choice of caulking? I am an older female and perhaps best to contact the manufacturer for advice or a referral to a reputable contractor.
In plumbing section they sell those foam sleeves that insulate pipes. They kinda look like mini pool noodles. Can cut custom made backer rod :). Worked for me.
I just did this and the day before I put down some adhesive material then put the backer rod down, then a day or two later I finished the job. So far so good. The backer rod did not move.
Vulkem caulking is an excellent product and will last a long time. I use a liquid tool handle product to seal partially used tubes of caulking. Just dip the open end of your caulk tube into the liquid tool handle and it will keep the caulking just like new until the next time you need it.
Great Video!
Very informative video. Great job. Btw, your lawn also looks great. Any videos to share on maintaining your lawn?
FANTASTIC VIDEO!! You just showed me how to fill in the gaps in the concrete of my back yard!! thank you very much Scott!!
Great job. Looks very nice.
Thanks!
That looks great. I did mine last year with the sika, I did something wrong as I have some bubbles. I poked the bubbles while it was fresh and got the air out but still have quit a few bubbles. I wish mine looked like yours.. 😀😀😀 Thanks as your videos are very well presented.
You most likely used a closed cell backer rod rather than open cell. Closed cell releases gases if punctured which will cause bubbles
I'd like to see you do a video on concrete staining for a driveway. Might renew the driveway to almost new looking condition. Great video!
Thanks Sam, definitely need to do a good cleaning at a minimum 👍
THIS GUY IS THE BEST!
Thanks!
BRILLIANT..............................................A VERY GOOD VIDEO
Great video. Can you do one on what to use to seal between concrete foundation and sidewalk. Had trouble finding a product that worked well for that of any videos on it.
Thank you for the education
Great video. Thanks.
Awesome video
I would like to suggest holding up the various products & tools used in front of the camera so they can be read and noted. Thank you.
Very informative, thanks!
You bet!
I think that in pressure washing the seams / surfaces where the expansion joint goes would give you a cleaner surface for the joint compound to adhere to. Your end result looks great!!
And while he has the pressure washer fired up, do the entire driveway.
He didn’t even knife or tool it it isn’t even sealed which is the entire purpose. It’s nothing more than a backer rod and caulking pumped into a big concrete joint and sand thrown on top
Thanks Scott
Definitely the sand is a good tip. The sand also helps keep things from sticking to the fresh vulkem
I had a rather large driveway with a lot of expansion joints. After pricing the sealant I decided to go a different way. Like in this video, I cleaned out all the rotted wood and filled in any deeper wash areas with sand, but instead of using the backer rod, I used a soaker hose. You can get the soaker hose in different sizes to fit standard width joints and once pressed into the joint it looked great. I had the home for about 5 years after the installation and it looked as good when I sold the house as it did the day I installed it. As for the cost, soaker hoses are super cheap compared to sealants and caulk.
I dunno- I just bought 100' of 5/8 backer rod for $24.00+ and soaker hose in 3/8" is twice that price at the Big Box stores
@@KickButtMarketing I probably was not clear in the description of what I did. Yes, backer rod is cheaper than soaker hose but it is not UV resistant so you will still need to buy the expensive caulk to put on top of it. WIth soaker hose, that is all you use.....just the hose. There is no need to caulk the top of it as it serves the purpose of looking good and keeping weeds out and will last for a long time.
I thought the point of the sealant was to keep water from going under the slab and, through freeze-thaw cycles creating voids & upheavals, cracking the slab.
Great idea but the joint won't be watertight right? Water can get under and undermine the base...?
For someone who has absolutely no caulking skills like this guy in the video that soaker hose or even just Replace the expansion material if you can and Do not caulk. I’ve seen concrete sidewalks and all kind of others completely fail and blow out maybe because like this guy, they didn’t even knife and tool it
Nice idea with using sand .
Very nice!
Don’t forget ACE Hardware!! We have all that stuff too. Thanks!! Always great advice!
I am an ACE fan 👍
Very helpful video - thanks. The gap I need to fill is just over an inch. Do you think I could use the foam pipe wrap insulation for 1/2" copper pipe?
We had a patio poured years ago and it has cracked badly over the years. Would this be a way to fill cracks that formed in our concrete patio? If not, any suggestions?
Great video what if you had a greater slope?
Love your videos, i have a question on slabs. i have 4 slabs that were poored and they left the 2x4 as an expansion joint. theses have since rotted out and there is a 1 1/4 gap between the slabs. one has shifted as well and i need to level it with the other next to it. can i just use concrete leveler to fill the gap and then level out the remaining. maybe prefill some of the gap between with sand so it does not take as much concrete? thank you again.
5:26 - "I'm going back home, weeeeee!!" 😂
I jsut did my 75' drive. Most home owners don't know about this easy maintenance process...I use a crushed granite rock (blue tint) that has som sand since I has exposed aggregate. I kinda press tha small pieces into the sealant.
This is a really helpful video. Can you recommend the type of sand that I should use to fill the gap between the concrete driveway and the brick house before putting in the backer rod? The gap is 4 inches in depth. Thanks.
Great video, thanks.
9:40 I highly recommend using sand.
Otherwise, the white sealant will get dark / look dirty where your car's tires roll over them.
Yes, check at 10:00.
@@mbrick He didn't say anything about tires. I did.
This was a great video with easy to follow step. However, if I hired someone to complete the job for me, what is a reasonable fee less products, I would supply the products. Thanks
Such a great video! Liked and subbed! I made the mistake of using a backer rod that was slightly smaller in diameter as you warned. Sorry I watched this video after my project was complete. The backer rod did rise in four spots out of the 20 foot job. I waited the next day and slightly sanded the sealer (sika) and the 3/4” backer rod. I then cleaned the area and reapplied the sika and made sure its level and had a clean finish. I hope this will fix the problem and not give me problems in the future. I don’t think it will but fingered crossed. Thanks again and if you have any advice for me please don’t hesitate to let me know. Much appreciated for all your help and great work.
Welcome to the channel. Yeah, the first time I did something similar and even "braided"the backer rod in the larger gaps which didn't work that great.
@@EverydayHomeRepairsyou’re awesome!
I've been through this this laborious process. I did fill the void left by the removed EJ material with sand as recommended before installing the backer rod and sealant. The treatment did not look last long Started failing within 3 years. Even with wire brushing the concrete, the sealant did not adhere very long, water got in, washed out the sand, and then weeds took over as before. I was removing unsightly sealant before long. I'd try soaker hose next time. Note: concrete shrinks as it cures and unretrained slabs shift with freeze thaw so once that happens the joints may get too wide for soaker hose. Not found a low maintenance option. Perhaps a self adhering self expanding full depth joint filler?
Amazing
For a professional look with the sealant, use a fine sand like Quikrete Playground sand. Mix it half and half with a concrete resurfacer. Spread it on right after you lay down the sealant. This will blend in with just about any concrete surface. It works great.
I have not heard about the concrete resurfacer before, being mixed with the sand. Gonna try it. Does the sand adhere better this way?
Thanks!
Thanks so much for the support 🙌
I have a area like this around my pool. Thanks
I think I need to do a pool install video 🤔
Any tips for a severely sloped driveway. I need to do this for my parents driveway, but it’s AT LEAST 10%-15%
What would be the best method and what is the best product to fill a gap between the concrete apron of my garage and the asphalt driveway...???
Great video. I am trying to purchase this sealant or similar in Italy but I can't seem to find anything even remotely similar, are there any other similar brands that I can try to search for ?? Thanks in advance - Jen =)
I have a concrete pad garage and on the side of the garage a concrete driveway was poured. The people that did the driveway used 2x4's and 3/4" nailed into the garage pad and used that as a form. They left the forms and over the years (20+) it has just rotted away. I had a small termite issue because that wood was always wet and most of it was covered by the siding and J channel. I have since ripped out all the rotted wood and I have a 3" - 3.25" wide by 4"-5" deep "trench up against the garage. I was wondering if this type of material would work for that and what would I use to fill the channel before the Vulkem. stone? Is there backer rod 3.5" thick? Can I even use that much Vulkem? I think thats the same material they use around pool coping and I have seen that 2" wide. Any help would be appreciated.
Easy way to measure the slope of the driveway is to use wood scraps or something (old magazines) to shim up a 4 foot level and measure the drop. The 48 inch long level is roughly half of 100 inches so a 3 inch drop would be approx. 6% gradient. 3 inches or less would be acceptable for that leveling caulk product.
What should I use if my driveway slope is 7%
@@randomdude3066 7% is pretty close to the recommended 6% limit so if you can't find a better product try it on a cool, cloudy day and it might not be too runny.
With high slope, use a non sag product
Would the sealant be appropriate for cracks also, or just the gaps you used it on?
I cant find any semi-self leveling sealant at my local hardware store. Can i use non-sag sealant instead?
Can you use the Tremco product between slates and concrete around a pool? Or does it work only between concrete slabs?
Is the process any different for southern states where temperature gets very hot during summer?
I have a driveway that has both slope (much less than 6%) and horizontal applications for the sealant. Besides cost is there a downside to using the Vulkem45 SSL in all applications or what % of slope is acceptable for Sika Sealant. The specs look the same for gap movement between Sika Self Leveling and Vulkem SSL so it just come down to slope.
I’ve heard some people silicon each side of the backer rod after it’s installed to ensure no sealant flows around the rod.
Your vids are so helpful. I ordered the Tremco Vulkem 45 SSL for filling some driveway cracks just like you did. I got some from Amazon and others from our local Home Depot (9 total). Unfortunately the ones I got are much thicker than yours and lay down very thick and require smoothing out which does not work. Why is this? Your looks so much more liquid. I even left them sit in the sun to warm up for an hour which helped a smidge but not much. Help!
Looks good 👍. Next step, power wash the driveway.
Will the Vulkem 45 SSL work to fill between a driveway and flagstone where the grout always seems to fail?
Can you use this product in colder temps closer to 35 degrees Fahrenheit? I didn't get a chance to fix one of the larger cracks in my sidewalk with a slope and am worried when the snow/ice starts in the northeast, it may be dangerous.
Do you have a video for doing a cement porch that has cracked
Is there a caulk gun you’d recommend for use with the SSL? I just used some Sika SL and it dripped a lot.
I have a 44' x 3/4" x 4" deep expansion joint on a basketball court. The 2 slabs are not even for that distance. I want to use portland/sand and fill then feather in to even out the height difference, will this work?
Do you have a video for doing this on a sidewalk, if it takes several days to dry?
can i use that for asphalt gaps?
if your expansion joints are 1/2 inch deep, do you still need backer rod?
How about using a power washer to clean out the cracks. Clean surfaces for bonding
any options if your driveway grade is above 6%?
What is the cure time and lasting time of Vulkem 45 SSL, sir?
What product I should use to seal the gap of about 1/2" between the driveway & exterior wall? Currently, I am getting leakage in the basement probably due to this gap all along the entire wall.
Can I simply just caulk right over top of the wood in between my driveway seams???
Great video. Can you please do a follow-up after six months or a year to show us how it has held up? I'm curious how long the sand coating will last.
I did the sand trick with a loctite ssl product. When we sold our house this last summer it was still holding strong as ever. That was probably a total of 13 years ago, conservatively.
What state?@@mattrinne
@@TheTurbomopar NE. Cold winters. Humid summers. And it was on a driveway getting blasted by sun.
I used Crack Stixs for mine. Pretty easy to do and you get to play with fire doing it.
Did someone say fire 🔥 I have never used that product but looks nice! I have some smaller cracks and that might make for a great video 🤔
@@EverydayHomeRepairs The end result was similar to yours. I used a large weed burner torch attached to a 5gal propane tank. Worked great. Just cleaned the cracks, filled with product and applied the heat.
Brought here from your driveway pressure washing tutorial…. Questioning now why you didn’t first clean the driveway before sealing these expansion joints? 😂
Also the sand seems a great idea - however how durable is it? Wouldn’t your pressure washer rip it all off when cleaning the drive? Be good to know.
Otherwise great videos
How well would this stand up to a pressure wash?
Any _kans to clean or stain yr concrete driveway?
Great video! Learned a lot. Which sealant do you recommend for a vertical expansion joint in an exterior brick wall? Thank you
Vulkem 116
I have a deep(5-6 inches)gap in one of my joints. What kind of sand should I use to fill it ?
I found the backer rod gets costly. For the bigger gaps, I put some sand in first, then filled the gap with small pebbles instead, leaving about 1/4" to 3/8" vertical space for the sealant. Once you put the sealant in, small amount of sealant flows in and fill the gaps among the pebbles, forming a pebble re-enforced sealant strip. This way, the sealed area is flexible and yet tough. The foam backer rod backing is too soft for me, unless you work to compress it hard. I abandoned that approach. For mid-size gaps, just fill the gap with sand first, still leave at least 1/4" space and then apply sealant. For small gaps, directly fill with sealant. Sealant is not cheap. You only need to fill the top layer with it. I also used pressure wash to remove the debris in the gap to save time. Make sure you have a few sunny days to work with. The area needs to be totally dry, or the sealant won't stick well. I ended up using 20 tubes to finish the job. It has been 4 years. It is still in great shape. Sprinkle the sealed surface is necessary, or the sealed strip looks too prominent and unnatural. But do it while the sealant is not yet fully cured, or it won't stick. I applied the sand when it was semi cured, by waiting for 15 minutes or before I did it. Applying it too soon you will see the sand sink into the sealant and largely disappears. The sand forms a thin layer of "crust" which is more abrasion resistant. It helps protect the sealant surface for a long lasting job.
I live in the south so am not worried about freeze/thaw cycles, but I am worried about undermining along the expansion joints. In the years since you've been using the sealant, have you seen evidence of ants digging through it? Also does a pressure washer damage the sealant?
Thanks for the additional info!! Big help.
@@dchall8 No, I did not see ants digging thru it. But in a couple of spots, I saw weed coming out. One needs to clean the gap thoroughly if there is grass or weed in it. Perhaps treat it with a thin layer of salt too. I have not pressure-washed it after. But I think it won't damage it. The cured sealant is pretty tough. The line where the sealant meets the concrete maybe more vulnerable. So avoid those areas.
That’s the most over complicated and ridiculous things I’ve ever heard about in decades of Real caulking! No offense
It also lasted a long long time.. You can cut corners and do it every year. It is good business for the contractors. No offense.@@toecutter1015
It is very important to make sure the crack is clean before filling. Not just scraping or blowing out the dirt. Use a mixture of bleach and water and then a pressure washer or garden hose to rinse the crack. Otherwise the filler wont bond to the concrete sides down in the crack. It will look good for a while but after a winter the filler will pull away from the sides of the crack.