The Best Way to Carry out Concrete Joint Sealing

In the construction industry, concrete is one of the most popular materials. The ideal reasons for its preference are its affordability, versatility and it is structurally sound. Owing to these reasons, concrete is used in many areas including garage floors. Even though it is sturdy and durable, concrete requires some protection including carrying out a joint seal in cases where cracks emerge.  Here is a guide on the best way to execute a concrete joint sealing.

Ensure Safety

When applying any given type of concrete sealer in the joint sections, it is advised that one stays safe and follow the manufacturer's precautions. When carrying out concrete joint sealing or even concrete repairs, one needs to wear chemical-proof gloves or even eyewear that are protective. In instances where the cracks or the joints are indoors, it is important that there is enough ventilation. Most of the sealants used in cracks repairs are irritants thus one has to ensure that they do not get on the skin.

Have a Serious Surface Coverage

Before sealing a new concrete surface, it is important that at a minimum, thirty days are left for the surface to cure. For the best results in concrete cracks repairs, the surface must be clean and dry. For those who are doing concrete joint sealing, they have to be keen on the weather forecast. The surface can be coated using an adequate sealant that evenly saturates the concrete but not so much that it pools. When applied the best way, one gallon of the sealant will cover approximately 100 to 200 square feet and this is dependent on if the concrete mix is smooth or porous. Cracks repairs on porous surfaces need a lot of sealants for them to fully coat. When doing the concrete joint sealing, the concrete will normally absorb the sealant and the waterproof properties even though the look does not change.

Use Bond Breaker

When executing a concrete joint sealing, it is advisable to use a backer rod at the bottom of the joint. Upon successfully using the bond breaker, the sealer does not sag into the joint. Thus, the sealant can comfortably stretch on both the top and the bottom.

Do a Resurface

When doing concrete crack repairs, resurfacing is one of the options that should not be assumed. Resurface helps in addressing very serious cracks that may arise in joints and mostly are not control joints.

Therefore, when planning to execute a concrete joint sealing, the above issues need to be factored in.