How to fill slab expansion cracks/holes: personal conclusions (Houston: house, contractors)

[behtypa]

This is not an advertisement and I have no affiliation to any of the above firms. You all know me, I just find it for myself and trying to be helpful.

Ok, folks. Here is a few advices that you may like, that took me a few hours to research.

All of you know this: the wooden joints in between the concrete slabs of your driveway start to get rotten over time. The water stays, weed start to grow. Overall it starts to look ugly and require more maintenance: leaf blowing, cleaning, pressure-washing.



Here is the DIY solutions that I found that cure that. None of them are sold at HD, Lowes, etc. Because they are quite new solutions. The reviews are good though.

SlabGasket
It is a strip of rubber, that fills wide gaps (1/2 - 1 1/2). Very cheap and easy to do! More details:
SlabGasket Expansion Joint Replacement (Gray) - SG110 by: SlabGasket - PTI Pavement Repair
Others may sell it too.

Trim-a-Slab
This rubber filler is manufactured in League City, TX. Very similar to the above product. Can be picked up at their location!
Trim-A-Slab Expansion Joint Repair


For smaller cracks (1/2 and smaller) both the HD and big L sell the following products:
- QUIKRETE Expansion Joint
- QUIKRETE Gray Poly Self-Level Sealant
- Latex-ite Pli-Stix Driveway Crack and Joint Filler
- etc.

Why am I writing you this? Because not many homeowners are familiar with these easy DIY solutions. And some Houston contractors (I can name a few) take advantage of you, people, and install that for $1200+ dollars, when you can do it yourself for less than $500 in 1 hour.

Here is a forum that discussed the subject:
Expansion Joint Filler - DIY Home Improvement, Remodeling & Repair Forum

[behtypa]

So far I can't find SlabGasket for lower than $2.88 a foot.
I have emailed a Trim-a-Slab which is in Houston and let's hope they have better prices.

[AmberAzeneth]

Thanks for the great information!!!!!

[LizzySWW]

An even less expensive way is to fill cracks with a closed cell backer rod (cheap at HD/Lowes) and go over that with desired color exterior caulk. You can sprinkle sand over the wet caulk for a sandy grouted look.

[behtypa]

Originally Posted by LizzySWW

An even less expensive way is to fill cracks with a closed cell backer rod (cheap at HD/Lowes) and go over that with desired color exterior caulk. You can sprinkle sand over the wet caulk for a sandy grouted look.

Thanks for an advice. I think I saw a cell backer rod at Lowes today. It indeed is really cheap (around $2 per 3 ft). It however looks cheap too, like a tarred fiberboard. I have doubts it will last for more than 5 years. Tell me what you know.

Will caulk adhere to this board? I have doubts about it too if the caulking just goes on top of the board (1/2' thick tops).

[LizzySWW]

The backer rod goes deep into the joint and the caulk goes over the rod. You never see the rod, it's only a filler.

Yes silicone/caulk will stick to it the same way it seals and sticks to your windows & house trim.

Lot's of thumbs up reviews with this method online, it worked well for us years ago.

[behtypa]

Quick update on prices:

7/8" (most common size) Trim-a-Slab is offered by the Houston manufacturer at: black @ 1.50/ft, grey @ 1.60/ft.

7/8" SlabGasket is offered at $75 for 50 feet, grey (and black?) which is about the same.

[tstone]

If you have live oak trees nearby, this method will not last.

Slabs w/ plenty of rebar, and all tied together w/o expansion joints might be the only true fix.

[Bruce in Spring, Texas]

Just installed the first of several 1" Trim-a-Slab pieces. Using a black rubber mallet, it was quick and easy. Got mine at a local Ace Hardware were I was directed by Bob at Trim-a-Slab.

Bruce
Spring, Texas

[behtypa]

Originally Posted by tstone

If you have live oak trees nearby, this method will not last.

Slabs w/ plenty of rebar, and all tied together w/o expansion joints might be the only true fix.

I installed a root barrier (namely, a Biobarrier) to prevent roots from going under the concrete pavement. This is however a separate issue, and the biobarrier is like $200 + labor, which in my cases was $400, 2 days x 2 street Mexican workers.