Expansion joint repair and sealing

In fact, we carry out repair and sealing treatments on expansion joints in polished concrete floors.

This is one of the preliminary steps before applying Byond's patented systems, which allow us to harden and seal the flooring and prevent future damage.

Do you want to repair or seal the expansion joints in your industrial flooring?

Floor deterioration usually begins in areas where there are expansion joints. When this deterioration appears, it becomes vital to treat the concrete joints to halt erosion and quickly repair and seal the affected joint to prevent more serious damage.

It is also recommended to seal the concrete joint when installing the slab, although this is not common practice. Otherwise, after intensive use of the flooring, the joint eventually deteriorates, compromising worker safety in the worst cases.

For this reason, on every project carried out by Byond, we offer and recommend joint preparation and sealing to prevent complications and ensure maximum performance in any industrial facility.

Joint wear and common problems

Like any structural element, expansion joints in concrete flooring are subject to progressive deterioration over time. This leads to the expected wear, which requires expansion joint repairs.

Joint wear varies depending on environmental influences. It is also associated with surface abrasion, as this is what causes surface disintegration in its early stages. The following types of abrasion occur in concrete joints:

Cracking

The most common result of joint wear is the formation of cracks and fissures, resulting from axial stresses in the concrete caused by excessive loads and temperature variations at the expansion joints.

Cracks tend to appear in thin flooring or slabs, complicating the dissipation and absorption of the energy produced by axial and shear stresses. They can also result from poor construction practices.

Chemical abrasion

Abrasion caused by interaction with chemical agents, such as certain aggressive cleaning products, can weaken the molecular structure of the sealant, causing it to disintegrate and turn to powder, exposing structural elements to further wear.

Solar radiation is another factor affecting joint wear, particularly ultraviolet rays, which alter the elastoplastic properties of the substances in the sealant. As a result of prolonged exposure, joints become rigid and unable to absorb friction and reduce deformation.

Moisture abrasion

Water can sometimes carry sand at high speeds, as in torrential rainfall. This does not cause short-term joint wear, as it does not directly affect the adhesion of the components.

Erosion abrasion

Wind-borne sand particles affect the surface of the joints. The likelihood of wear due to wind effects is very low. Nevertheless, this is a factor that depends on environmental conditions.

Traffic abrasion

Traffic abrasion is caused by friction from the various transport vehicles travelling over flooring. The resistance of joints in rigid flooring varies according to the characteristics of the joint sealant used. If the sealant is weak, wear will lead to the formation of cracks and fissures, compromising watertightness.

Points to consider when repairing joints

As these are concrete structures, the joint to be repaired requires thorough cleaning, particularly if it is open. The presence of dirt and dust affects how effectively the sealant adheres to structural elements.

Sealing expansion joints is almost always the best construction option, as it provides a high level of mechanical protection and waterproofs structural elements.

Although cost is an important factor, investing in a latest-generation sealant will extend the service life of the expansion joint and reduce maintenance periods. In fact, elastomers have advanced so much technologically that they are the ideal material for sealing expansion joints.

Byond, experts in expansion joint repair and sealing

If you would like advice or a free quotation for expansion joint repair and/or sealing, please do not hesitate to contact us, with no obligation.