Expansion Joint Repair

Concrete driveways are very rarely poured in one continuous slab. Usually there is a joint in the concrete every few feet, which helps control cracking by allowing the individual concrete slabs to expand and contract independently of each other. Wood is used as expansion joint material in some new applications, but after a few years it may rot and will need to be replaced. It is imperative to repair expansion joints, as dirt, water or other debris allowed to enter the joint may damage the concrete slabs over time.

Goggles
Work gloves
Flat-blade screwdriver
Pry bar
Sand
Expansion joint repair compound
Hardboard
Roll of expansion joint material (optional)
Utility knife (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Wear safety goggles and work gloves. Clean the expansion joint needing repair by digging out dirt and debris with a flat-blade screwdriver.
- 2
  Pry the current expansion joint material (wood, rubber or other material) out with a screwdriver or pry bar.
- 3
  Remove rusted nails in the expansion joint cavity by sawing through them at the vertical edge of the slab with a hacksaw blade. Remove the nail once it has been sawed in half.
- 4
  Pour sand into the expansion joint cavity up to ¾ inch below the surface of the top of the concrete.
- 5
  Fill the top ¾ inch of the expansion joint cavity with expansion joint compound. Allow the compound to cure for the amount of time indicated on the directions on the container. Place sheets of hardboard over the expansion joints so the driveway can be used until the compound cures. Remove the hardboard from the driveway once the compound has cured.

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