When it comes to keeping pavement in good repair, the key factor is keeping the expansion joints in good repair. Since they allow the expansion and contraction of the paving material, functional joints are crucial to prevent cracking. When it comes to repair, Capital Industries, an expansion joint repair supplier, has products that make it a simple, easy task. Just about anybody can get the job done in a few simple steps.

Get the Joint Clean as Possible

To get a good seal, all of the old sealant material needs to come out of the joint. A small chisel, screwdriver, or similar tool should be used to scrape and pry any material out of the joint. A quick rinse with a hose clears loose leftovers out of the way.

Fix Any Blemishes

Cracks in the edge of the joints can run and cause the pavement to crack even when the joint is properly filled. Mortar works fine to fill in cracks and chips. Afterwards, it needs to harden overnight before moving on to the next step.

Insulate

Keep moisture out of the joint by pressing pipe insulation into the joint with a putty knife. Leave a gap space between the insulation edge so that the sealant can be spread flush with the pavement when put into the joint.

Prepare an Edge

Masking tape along the edges of the joint keep the sealant from coating the top of the pavement and creating lumps.

Seal

Cover the insulation with sealer until it is flush with the pavement. Using the edge of a board and a hammer; compact the sealer into the joint.

Wait

Wait the recommended time in the sealer’s instructions for it to harden before removing the tape from the edge.