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CAULKING
Water penetration is a major headache for building seams, seams where concrete meets the building, and in expansion joints in the sidewalks and curbs where large volumes of water flow. Transverse cracks can also develop in concrete sidewalks and slabs. The best way to keep water out, and to avoid premature deterioration, is to caulk these joints.
The Process:
- Clean out the joint of all foreign material.
- If this is a concrete crack that has opened up and in need of caulking, the crack should be sawed out to a width of approximately ¼ inch or more. The depth should be equal to the width.
- For deep cracks a bond breaker or backer rod should be installed so that approximately ½ of sealant can be applied.
- An outdoor urethane sealant should be applied to the crack and struck with a caulking tool. In some cases a self-leveling sealant can be used.
- Traffic should remain off of the area until it is properly cured (1 - 4 days depending on temperature).
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