jacy wrote:
Greetings,

The felt that was installed in the expansion joint between the gangway
sidewalk and our house foundation has pretty much reached the end of
its useful life, especially in certain spots. Rain water -- depending
on the direction of the downpour -- will sometimes seep through the
basement foundation in a couple spots where the felt is particularly
eroded, so I should probably do something sooner rather than later. I
notice my next-door neighbor has patched hers over the years with a
black tarry substance and it looks really funky. Don't want to go
there.

A friend suggested a rubber caulk used by masons in limestone sills
and whatnot but we're talking a long run and I think that stuff is
pretty pricey.

Midwest, lots of seasonal thermal movement. Any suggestions on filling
this joint?

Thanks,
~JMEA
Before you throw time and money at the situation- does the sidewalk
slope AWAY from the foundation? It is quite common for walkways and
patios that butt up to foundations to frost-heave upward on the outer
edge, since the inner edge is kept warmer by the foundation, and seldom
heaves as badly. If water ponds against the foundation, nothing will
hold up very long as a seal. If it is sloped toward the house,
mud-jacking or replacement are the only real cures.

But having said that- Usual practice for a joint like that, depending on
how wide it is, is clean out all the old gunk, and shove in some rope
caulk (made out of plastic foam these days), and then put the expensive
gray rubbery stuff over that. The rope stuff is cheap, and you only need
a thin coat of caulk over it. The rope comes in different diameters. One
of those heavy D-shaped ice scrapers on a long handle comes in handy
for forcing the rope down into the crack, otherwise you will end up with
a real sore wrist using a screwdriver or putty knife. What you are
trying to avoid is open pockets in there where ice can form and push
everything apart.

--
aem sends....