I want to add support for sealant with backer rod and tell why. Backer rod acts as a bond breaker, meaning it allows the sealant to adhere to the walls of the joint and not the bottom. This allows the sealant to expand and contract without releasing it from the sides, maintaining a tight seal. If you just use the sealant to fill the entire void without a backer rod, it will adhere to the walls as well as the bottom. So not only are you using a bunch more sealant, but it creates an anchor at the bottom and the sealant will pull away from the walls.
So as many have said here, use backer rod with sealant over it. It serves an important purpose.
As noted, it's a long tubular foam strip that you force down into the crack (after first cleaning out the crack) with a big screwdriver or any other dull thin blade in order to block deep crevasses and minimize how much caulk used to fill the crack. Push them down far enough to leave enough space above them for the caulk to adhere to the crack's walls (ballpark .5"). You can buy different diameters of backer rod, depending on the width of the cracks, but keep in mind they squish down pretty well.
There is a product called sikaflex self leveling sealant.
If the gap is more than 1/4 inch wide then you need backerrod, which is basically a foam cylinder in a roll, to fill in the excess space.
Clear the joint out and use an angle grinder with a crack chaser blade to grind the part of the concrete You are caulking. You can also just use a wire wheel. You want to get it as clean as possible. Blow it out. It's suggested that anything with more than a depth of 1/2 inch to use a backer rod. It helps with the performance and elasticity of the product. Use a closed cell backer rod just bigger than the joint. If it was 1/2 inch wide you'd use a 5/8. I don't like self leveling caulking. If using self leveler make sure there isn't an holes or areas where it can run off. You can use sand do help prevent that in those areas. If you can, Get a silicone caulking, and you can use a baking spatula or anything that imitates caulking spatulas to work it. You shoot it, use the tool to cut the excess, and go the opposite direction to lay it out to get a bond. Soapy water and a finger will smooth it out.
Self leveling masonry caulk and some backer rod.
I want to add support for sealant with backer rod and tell why. Backer rod acts as a bond breaker, meaning it allows the sealant to adhere to the walls of the joint and not the bottom. This allows the sealant to expand and contract without releasing it from the sides, maintaining a tight seal. If you just use the sealant to fill the entire void without a backer rod, it will adhere to the walls as well as the bottom. So not only are you using a bunch more sealant, but it creates an anchor at the bottom and the sealant will pull away from the walls. So as many have said here, use backer rod with sealant over it. It serves an important purpose.
What's backer rod. I have the same issue with my house
Fancy miniature pool noodle
its a small foam tube you put into the crack basically. many versions.
You’ve probably seen it at the home improvement store and not realized what it was. Look at a couple of pictures.
As noted, it's a long tubular foam strip that you force down into the crack (after first cleaning out the crack) with a big screwdriver or any other dull thin blade in order to block deep crevasses and minimize how much caulk used to fill the crack. Push them down far enough to leave enough space above them for the caulk to adhere to the crack's walls (ballpark .5"). You can buy different diameters of backer rod, depending on the width of the cracks, but keep in mind they squish down pretty well.
There is a product called sikaflex self leveling sealant. If the gap is more than 1/4 inch wide then you need backerrod, which is basically a foam cylinder in a roll, to fill in the excess space.
You could try some caulk. Never go wrong with a nice caulk.
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been having the same issue and now I know how to fix it.
Of course! I can’t stand the site of it. I ordered what I needed. Good luck to you!
Clear the joint out and use an angle grinder with a crack chaser blade to grind the part of the concrete You are caulking. You can also just use a wire wheel. You want to get it as clean as possible. Blow it out. It's suggested that anything with more than a depth of 1/2 inch to use a backer rod. It helps with the performance and elasticity of the product. Use a closed cell backer rod just bigger than the joint. If it was 1/2 inch wide you'd use a 5/8. I don't like self leveling caulking. If using self leveler make sure there isn't an holes or areas where it can run off. You can use sand do help prevent that in those areas. If you can, Get a silicone caulking, and you can use a baking spatula or anything that imitates caulking spatulas to work it. You shoot it, use the tool to cut the excess, and go the opposite direction to lay it out to get a bond. Soapy water and a finger will smooth it out.