Concrete Joint Sealant

Concrete Joint Sealant

Concrete is a substance that is used all over Los Angeles.  For instance, it can be found on sidewalks or in the structures of buildings.  Whatever forms the concrete takes, they have one thing in common: they should have joints and those joints must be sealed.  The joints in concrete are designed to accommodate various shifts and movements caused by forces such as the natural expansion and contraction of the materials or seismic activity.  Joint sealants are required to keep undesirable elements out of those joints.

An important consideration when sealing a joint in concrete is joint movement.  Depending on where the concrete is, the appropriate joint and sealant must be used to accommodate the forces that work against it.  For instance, concrete on the exterior of a building will undergo expansion and contraction caused by temperature fluctuations.  In addition, the motion caused by earthquakes must be provided for so the building can remain sound.

It must be noted that all joint sealants have a limited lifespan.  The manufacturer should give clear instructions on how long the sealant will last and how often it should be changed.  These instructions should be adhered to in order for the sealant to continue doing its job and to limit any preventable damage to the structure.