Those cracks in your concrete driveway may be caused by rotting wood expansion joints. You can contain or eliminate the damage by replacing the joints—and it is easy enough that most homeowners can do it themselves.
What Expansion Joints Do
Concrete expansion joints are pieces of wood or other material placed between the concrete slabs on your driveway. Concrete expands and contracts in hot and cold weather. Expansion joints work as a buffer between slabs so they don’t crunch into each other as they change size.
The Problem With Wood Expansion Joints
Concrete slabs are made by pouring the concrete into a wooden form or mold. Sometimes the wood is left in place so it can also serve as an expansion joint. Over time, the wood rots away, reducing the buffer protection.
Disadvantages to Repairing With Caulk
The usual way to repair this damage is to remove the wood and fill in the space with high-quality caulk. Caulking must be done on a clear, dry day. It takes up to two weeks to completely harden and is very hard to use on sloping driveways.
An Easy, Long-Lasting Solution
A better solution is to use compliant filler strips. These are rubber or plastic strips that fill the spaces between slabs and expand and contract with them. This makes them excellent concrete expansion joints. Filler strips cost less than caulking and install quickly and easily. They are also attractive. To learn more about repairing your driveway with filler strips contact Trim-A-Slab.com.
