DanG wrote:
On 5/14/2013 6:18 PM, HeyBub wrote:
My driveway was laid 30-odd years ago with, it think, redwood used as
expansion joints. Needless to say, the wood has disintegrated, decomposed,
and is singing in the heavenly choir. Weeds in the cracks are the result.
String-trimming followed by Round Up is the usual next step. Fooey.

Ruminating on how to deal - permanently - with the ugliness, several obvious
possibilities come to mind:

* Pressure-wash out the decayed elements and insert wood replacements. This
will be a LOT of work inasmuch as I have about 300 feet of joints. Not to
mention the not-insignificant expense.

* Obtain several rolls of press-in rubber/plastic tubing made by
"Trim-A-Slab" ( think that's the name). It comes in 50' rolls (at $199.99
per roll at Ace Hardware) which is press-fitted into the gap between
concrete sections. Obviously even MORE expensive than the aforementioned
wood solution.

Finally, I came up with an idea which, on the surface, seems to be ideal:
Roofing patch.

One could, I assume, just pour the tar-like material into the crack where it
would:
a) Double-sticky itself and seal to the edges of the concrete, and
b) Harden sufficiently so that it would not adhere to tires or shoes or the
dog.

On the experimental level, it might take several differing products to zero
in on the best one for the project, but, if a tar-type sealant works, it
should be cheap(er), easy to apply, and an adequate weed-preventative.

Your thoughts, results of a similar project, and warnings, would be much
appreciated.

Thanks in advance.




They sell a bagged asphalt product that contains stone and tar with a
solvent base. It is kind of a self leveling product. I have used it to
fill in several different types of expansion joints. Clean out the space
to allow some mass for the material - pour/sweep material into the crack.
I have been able to use a tire to compact the material - a two wheel
dolly with a lot of weight, a wheel barrow , or similar. Where I have
used it, it has stuck well and lasted over 10 years.


There is also a large squeeze tube of self leveling gray gunk. I see it
used around buildings joining cement slabs.