Experience with epoxy to fill expansion seam in concrete?

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by weim55, Jan 14, 2021.

  1. weim55

    weim55 Well-Known Member

    The expansion seam for the concrete on my garage floor is a problem when I have to work under the car on a creeper. The wheels fall into and get stuck in the seam And it’s just maddening. Is there a product I can fill this with that would leave it smooth and not chip out? Self-leveling? The concrete is in good condition and the seam isn’t too wide. Thanks,

    Steve weim55 Colorado
     

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  2. punk55

    punk55 West Texas Buicks

    Lowe’s and Home Depot both have epoxy seam filler in a chalk tube that will self level, might take two separate applications to fill the crack
     
  3. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    When they poured the concrete in my shop, they cut a 1/8" groove about every twenty feet with a saw. I filled the top with silicone, not the entire gap, just the top where the nozzle of the tube went. It helps that the gaps are not in the bay spaces mostly. You must have SOME type of medium that will allow the concrete to expand with thermal transfer...
     
  4. eagleguy

    eagleguy 1971 Skylark Custom

    I used the expansion filler sold by Home Depot many years ago when the crappy wood expansion joints rotted away. It came in a really big tube that required a larger caulking gun do to the amount needed. Worked like a charm and it has not had any issues since used about 10 years ago. If I remember correctly you cannot layer it. Its a one shot thing but there was hardly any shrinkage and it leveled and filled perfectly when used for my driveway joints. I recall using old playing cards on the ends of the joint to prevent run off.
     
  5. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

  6. weim55

    weim55 Well-Known Member

    Can any of you comment if these products are solid enough to roll over with my creeper? Concerned if these are spongy in finished form and still have the same issue that I’m dealing with?

    Steve weim55 Colorado
     
  7. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

    Sika Flex gets like a hard rubber. Should allow a creeper to roll over as long as the joints are filled level full.
     
  8. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    Considering the size of the gap, based on your first post picture, it will be VERY hard to make THAT assumption... The lower part of the gap looks about 3/8 '' (which would be no problem), but the top where it is rounded looks to be over an inch wide...
    Perhaps you could use corrugated cardboard to fill the main part of the seam (Above the level of the concrete) and fill the remainder of the "groove" with a concrete patcher (like this https://www.lowes.com/pd/QUIKRETE-20-lbs-Vinyl-Concrete-Patcher/3018327
    I don't know the expandability of this stuff; I see that it says that it is VINYL concrete patch... It may be able to do the job all in all by itself. I don't know. You could ask the manufacturer possibly; DUNNO... BUT--- Based on several comments, this sounds like what you need!

    Garage floor repair



    I bought a new house this spring. The garage floor had a lot of spalling making it hard to roll my large table saw around. I purchased this product to fill in all the bad spots. I was very happy with the product. I was afraid it wouldn't stick to the old concrete but followed instructions and so far it has held up very well. I would recommend this for similar problems.



    Would Recommend
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2021
  9. eagleguy

    eagleguy 1971 Skylark Custom

    My job left me with an almost level surface 3/4" at the top and more than 1" deep. Roll over it with creepers and jacks all the time. No dents or dings. Hope this helps.
     
  10. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

    That vinyl patch is not flexible when cured. The expansion joints are there to allow the slab to expand and contract without the slab cracking all over the place. So the vinyl patch will most likely start cracking and popping out of the grooves.
     
  11. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    I had a new house built 2 years ago with a 1280 square foot attached garage. There were saw cuts al over to promote the slab to crack at those lines. A year after the slab was cured I put a 1/8” foam backing rod down into the crack and then patched this product over top of it and then did epoxy floor coating. This makes it smooth on the surface and you can barely see where the cut was. If the concrete wants to crack or expand the patching compound won’t stop it, it will crack that easily. It’s now been a year and I see no signs of cracking at theses lines, in fact most of the lines are not visible anymore. I filled them and then used a floor grinder to smooth it all flat. It’s so nice to sweep now, no grooves to catch dirt. And the epoxy is amazing, just wipe oil right up. I will snap a few pics. It’s been super durable, engines on stands, jacks, lots of heavy stuff and rough work done in the garage with no issues. From -30 to plus 30 no cracking issues.

    https://www.homedepot.ca/product/quikrete-concrete-patching-compound-0-95l/1000684674
     

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    Last edited: Jan 21, 2021
  12. flh73

    flh73 Gold Level Contributor

    I'm X2 on the Homedepot self leveling stuff. They sell it small tubes now. I've used it outside in MI in large gaps it's held up for 5 years without lifting or pealing. I had one gap that was like 1" i put the foam tub stuff (they sell in the same area of the store) in that one then loaded it with this stuff and its still holding.
     
    sean Buick 76 likes this.

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