How to make concrete expansion joints

[@2minutegardener639]

Here are some books to give you more ideas on patios and driveways. amzn.to/3ixeAhM amzn.to/3DepGjk amzn.to/3lwOmxK

[@johnnysober]

These are contraction joints not expansion joints. Expansion joints have fiber or foam fillers. Sorry im not trying to be mean just trying to educate. Great video! Keep up the good work!

[@2minutegardener639]

Interesting, thanks for the correction

[@Josh-fz9rh]

Correct. We call them control joints. A polyurethane sealant is used in an expansion joint. Which our spec requires every 15’

[@jonahqhollis]

J These joints are for expansion and contraction, since concrete does both. Both names are correct. GM for concrete company here.

[@Josh-fz9rh]

@@jonahqhollis I can see why both names would be used. Specs I’m familiar with differentiate the two. One is for expansion/contraction the other mostly cosmetic. Highway and local municipality concrete inspector here.

[@austingreen1274]

Correct

[@RFMongoose]

Hey, im preparing to pour my own slab. I came across your video. How thick is the slab here? (because I have read the joints are spaced based on the thickness of the slab)

[@2minutegardener639]

For patios, a slab should be 4 inches unless something heavy is going on it like a jacuzzi, then do 6 - 8 inches

[@romeparrilla8307]

HI,NICE JOB,I HAVE A QUESTION,I HIRED A HANDYMAN TO POUR AN ADD ON 8FT BY 30FT CONCRETE IN MY DRIVEWAY A YEAR AGO BUT HE FORGOT TO PUT A EXPANSION JOINT IN ONE OF THE END,IT HAS NOT CRACK YET BUT CAN I JUST USE A CIRCULAR SAW BLADETO CORRECT IT? THANK YOU VERY MUCH

[@2minutegardener639]

Yes, joints can be saw cut into dry concrete. Hopefully you won't hit the rebar.

[@garybrady7245]

Yeah get a good masonry blade and a little squirt bottle of water and spray lightly right next to the blade too help keep the blade cool and dust down

[@conchim99]

I poured 14 feet by 4 feet . I didn't cut control joint when it was still wet like in the video. Can I still cut a little over 1 inch for control job woth masonry blade and cutting wheel hand held ty?

[@chris14388]

I have to drill some holes that will land on the expansion joints for post saddles. Is this going to be an issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Just poured yesterday. Will not be drilling for a few weeks.

[@2minutegardener639]

Concrete can take up to 4 weeks to fully cure depending on the weather. How deep is the concrete where you are drilling.

[@charlesrobert6211]

I'm laying my first sidewalk, I assume the joint depth has to be cut all the way through but the video looks like your cutting only halfway. Will that work?

[@2minutegardener639]

Yes it will because, the purpose of the joint is to direct the inevitable concrete crack away from the surface and into the joint.

[@garybrady7245]

You really want them all the way through

[@stoneyj1a1]

Aren't these control joints? From what I understand expansion joints go all the way through

[@2minutegardener639]

Yes, thanks for watching!

[@ALL_CAPS__]

How smooth and clean should the finished joints be?

[@2minutegardener639]

It depends on if you are doing the joints in wet or dry concrete. As you saw in the video, using a groover in wet concrete should create a joint that is slightly curved on top and in the crevice. Thanks for watching!

[@MikeM275]

Expansion joints are cut all the way thru, ie, 4" slab the expansion joints are cut 4" deep. In effect making two separate slabs (or more depending on how long the slab is). Which is why sealer is needed. This fellow is cutting control joints which are *not* the same thing as expansion joints. Nice looking slab though...

[@Hillaryalsbury]

Can this technique be used to give the look of larger pavers on our patio or is it better to cut them in after with a concrete saw? I'm not looking for a stamped look but larger rectangle staggered pavers. Thanks!

[@2minutegardener639]

There are of different concrete stamps that create that look. You can also use 1x4 and create your on custom stamp. I would not recommend saw cutting concrete along irregular lines (not right angles), this could lead to more cracking.

[@noahkalal2127]

good stuff

[@2minutegardener639]

thanks

[@emilystubbs5650]

I want to resurface a concrete patio that does NOT have expansion joints. Just lots of cracks (which is why it needs to be resurfaced). So... after I fill the cracks, do I need to cut in expansion joints to the old patio, then resurface it and make matching expansion joints on the new resurfaced layer?

[@2minutegardener639]

Yes, you should cut joints in the old concrete, However if the old cracks are extensive, you should remove the damaged parts of the concrete and repour those parts.

[@garybrady7245]

I'd probably just pour another thin slab over top of it if possible. If not then I'd just repair the big cracks and then maybe crack isolate with a liquid membrane then resurface. Alot of work this way that's why I would go on top if I could any way

[@Wood-Skullz]

What is thé name of the tool to make the joints? Greetings

[@2minutegardener639]

In wet concrete they used a groover. You would need a masonry saw for dry concrete.

[@lisakalal5274]

Cool

[@2minutegardener639]

thanks

[@deek3048]

Those are control joints, NOT expansion joints! Concrete can still expand underneath those 1/2" joints. Expansion joints are all the way through(4-6") to let the concrete expand.

[@2minutegardener639]

You are correct. Thanks for watching!

[@007yankeesrule]

The expansion joints in the driveway have cracks at the bottom. I know water is suppose to run off when it rains. But are the cracks normal or should I put concrete repair just on the cracks?

[@2minutegardener639]

All concrete will crack over time due to weather and earth movement. The purpose of the joints is to try to get the concrete to crack at the bottom of a joint where it won't be as visible.

[@mikelewis7003]

CONTRACTION, or CONTROL joint that caters for shrinkage.

[@2minutegardener639]

Thank you for watching!

[@brianglaser9215]

So expansion joint are just grooves in the surfaces and do not go all the way down?

[@2minutegardener639]

Yes, they just go about 1/2 inch deep.

[@ctx4607]

A true expansion joint are the full thickness of the concrete.

[@Josh-fz9rh]

@@ctx4607 and is sealed with caulk

[@gheorghestefansandu3777]

Hi! How is called this tool from 01:23?

[@2minutegardener639]

That is a concrete float, used for smoothing wet concrete. Thanks for watching!

[@MikeLaurie-hj5lc]

He’s not cutting expansion joints ok. He’s cutting control cracking joints. Expansion joints actually have expansion in there. So again he’s cutting control joints for cracking ok.

[@2minutegardener639]

Correct. Thanks for watching!

[@Craig-l5q]

Concrete doesn't expand surely you mean crack control joints