ICE Chips

Q.  We have a lot of problems with the expansion joints in our concrete floor in the warehouse. Our maintenance guys have tried a few things but nothing seems to last more than a few months. Is there anything out there that works?

A. Yes, there are several very reliable products from a number of companies that work, and work well. But, under what conditions are you attempting to use these materials, and how experienced are the personnel who are applying them?

There is no universal product that covers all the conditions encountered with concrete floors. What are the temperature considerations? Are you at ambient, refrigerated, or frozen? Each has specific issues that need to be examined to determine the best material to use.

In the case of a floor in a frozen environment, it may not be a sealant failure but a problem with the slabs heaving due to poor construction and subfloor venting. In ambient, it could be very poor reinforcement between the slabs that allows for more than desired movement of the sections.

Once these questions are resolved, it becomes a matter of the proper material, preparation, and installation. One common failure is the preparation of the expansion joints. Any contamination of the concrete surfaces is sure to cause a failure in adhesion. Old unmaintained expansion joints often have to be widened and cut back to clean concrete surfaces. Installation is far more than just pulling out the old material and pouring in the new. It is quite a bit of work and can be costly.

There are filler systems that are available to reduce the volume of sealant required to provide a good and durable seal. Many involve a packing system that fits into the crevice and acts as a base for the sealant. Some systems are shaped in such a way that they are pressed into the expansion joint and act as an anchor, so traffic and floor scrubbers do not pull the sealant out of the joint in a short time.

I would suggest contacting a reputable contractor in your area who has demonstrated success doing this type of work. Ask for references and check them out.

Having the work done correctly may look like it costs more, but over the long term, the return on the investment is well worth it.

The author is Head of Food Safety Education, AIB International.