Expansion Joint

[TripleB4me]

What caulking should I use between my deck and stone coping? There is currently a foam strip there now and it's been through a winters worth of freeze and thaw.

I have seen a self leveling chaulk somewhere before and have heard of a product that you trowel into the joint.

Any advise or recommendations are appreciated!

 

[duraleigh]

Triple,

Is that foam strip recessed below the level of the coping and decking?, If so, How much?

Also, how wide is the space to be filled?

Caulking recommendation to follow... :lol:

 

[TripleB4me]

The foam that's in the joint is zip foam according to my PB. His says it's perferated an inch or so down. You supposedly tear out the upper portion and the rest remains as the backing.

The gap is about 1/2 to 3/4 on an inch.

 

[duraleigh]

Yeah, it's probably perfed about 5/8 of an inch deep.

My gaps were much smaller (3/8 by 1/2") but I had terrific results using polyurethane caulk. (available @ HD/Lowes)

It is messy so your prep has to be good. Tape off (with masking tape) each side of the joint after you pull the top piece of foam out. Make sure you get the tape stuck down to the vertical edge of the joint as precisely as you can.

Then fill the joint with the caulk. Do this by overfilling it just a little tiny bit then taking a 1" putty knife and start compacting and smoothing the top surface of the caulk. The caulk will bulge back up just a little but that's good....it shrinks some as it dries. This is the hardest part, the stuff is really gooey and you can make a mess if you try to play with it too much. You'll get the hang of it quickly, tho.

Then, simply let it dry FOR 24 HOURS AT LEAST WITH NOBODY TOUCHING IT. The darn stuff is slow to set up.

When it's done, you have a flexible, waterproof (if you do a good job) seal that will last for years.

It comes in several colors.

 

[TripleB4me]

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it!