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.

On May 14, 7:18*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.

I would do some googling for driveway crack repair products.
I know I've seen filler products that are long, round, maybe 5/8"
or so in diameter made to fill gaps like that. One type you applied
it, then used a torch to melt and bind it in.

"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.

2" or 4" holes? If they used 2x's, then I'd go with your tar idea--
If 4x I'd use cold patch and a prayer.

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

Well, the most 'permanent' measure would be to use some
cement/concrete. The right guy could make it look like he used
redwood-- and you could have a cold beverage or two while he did it.

Jim

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.

--


___________________________________

Keep the whole world singing . . .
Dan G
remove the seven

HeyBub wrote:

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.

If you are talking about the stuff that comes in a can, it never gets hard.
You would be better off buying some tar, heating it in a pot until it melts
and then pouring that in.

--

dadiOH
____________________________

Winters getting colder? Tired of the rat race?
Taxes out of hand? Maybe just ready for a change?
Check it out... http://www.floridaloghouse.net

DanG wrote:


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.

Thanks. Sounds like what I want. But your post generates two questions:

* Who is "they"? and
* What is the name of this product?

Thanks again.

On May 14, 7:18*pm, "HeyBub" wrote:

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


My asphalt expert is busy with family matters at the moment, but I
think you have to heat an asphalt product to ~350F to get it to pour.
-----

- gpsman

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:56:54 AM UTC-4, HeyBub wrote:
* Who is "they"? and
* What is the name of this product?

Thanks again.

Local hardware stores, building supplies, big box stores should all have some sort of driveway crack repair product that would be similar to what was described, and/or should be perfectly suitable for this application.

Look for driveway crack repair kits with a foam backer that you pack into the crack, then cover with a tar-like substance that adheres to the asphalt and cures into a flexible yet durable substance.

wrote:
On Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:56:54 AM UTC-4, HeyBub wrote:
* Who is "they"? and
* What is the name of this product?

Thanks again.

Local hardware stores, building supplies, big box stores should all
have some sort of driveway crack repair product that would be similar
to what was described, and/or should be perfectly suitable for this
application.

Look for driveway crack repair kits with a foam backer that you pack
into the crack, then cover with a tar-like substance that adheres to
the asphalt and cures into a flexible yet durable substance.

I've tried. At Home Depot, Lowes, and Ace. I can find nothing resembling
your description.

HeyBub:

I don't know if you'll find any driveway crack repair kits with foam backer rod somehow attached to anything, but I agree with Dennis Gauge that the best solution is to use foam backer rod, and then if you want caulk over that foam backer rod.



Look under Caulk and Caulking Supplies in your yellow pages, and any place listed there will sell foam backer rod or know who does. You typically choose foam backer rod that's 25 to 50 percent larger in diameter than the crack you want to fill.

You push it into your crevice, and then caulk over it with any suitable caulk.

My favourite caulk is called Kop-R-Lastic, and this would be a great application for it. Kop-R-Lastic is both waterproof and highly UV resistant, sticks well to concrete and foam backer rod, and it tools very nicely with a soapy finger.



The Henry Company distributes Kop-R-Lastic in the USA. Maybe find their 1-800 phone number on their web site and see who sells it in your area. It comes in 8 different colours.

On Wed, 15 May 2013 06:56:54 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:

DanG wrote:


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.

Thanks. Sounds like what I want. But your post generates two questions:

* Who is "they"? and
* What is the name of this product?

Thanks again.

I believe sak-crete makes it, among others.

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.

wrote:

I believe sak-crete makes it, among others.

Available at Home Depot and Lowes, among other places.

On 5/15/2013 6:56 AM, HeyBub wrote:
DanG wrote:


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.

Thanks. Sounds like what I want. But your post generates two questions:

* Who is "they"? and
* What is the name of this product?

Thanks again.



Boy, this is rocket science, isn't it:

http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&ta...tch&oq=asphalt
+bagge&gs_l=hp.1.1.0i22i30l4.5909.10387.0.
16550.13.11.0.2.2.0.105.878.10j1.11.0...0.0...1c.1 .12.p
sy-ab.ycDUPpftKrQ&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&
bvm=bv.46471029,d.dmQ&fp=34ab1c82609549cf&biw=1013 &bih=484

--


___________________________________

Keep the whole world singing . . .
Dan G
remove the seven

On Tue, 14 May 2013 18:18:56 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:



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.

yoU'RE assuming this too, that it won't adhere. If it does, what a
mess. Maybe for years to come.

If you are committed to this method, get a little of the stuff and
fill a shallow litle wood** box with it and put it out in the hot sun
all the time this summer, to see how much it does harden. Put some
concrete with it

**Wood so the box doesn't fall apart and you'll have tar whereever it
was.

On May 18, 4:18*am, micky wrote:
On Tue, 14 May 2013 18:18:56 -0500, "HeyBub"
wrote:



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.

yoU'RE assuming this too, that it won't adhere. *If it does, what a
mess. Maybe for years to come.

If you are committed to this method, get a little of the stuff and
fill a shallow litle wood** box with it and put it out in the hot sun
all the time this summer, to see how much it does harden. *Put some
concrete with it

**Wood so the box doesn't fall apart and you'll have tar whereever it
was.

around here pros spread a little bit of sand over fresh crack filler
so it doesnt stick to stuff, like shoes

gpsman wrote:
On May 14, 7:18 pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
Your thoughts, results of a similar project, and warnings, would be much
appreciated.


My asphalt expert is busy with family matters at the moment, but I
think you have to heat an asphalt product to ~350F to get it to pour.
-----

- gpsman


Not the bagged "quick' type found at the home stores.
A warm day is enough.
I've used it to fill depressions in my driveway.
I fill the depression with the mix until it is mounded a little higher
than the surrounding asphalt, then place a piece of 3/8" plywood over it
and drive my car onto the plywood so that the front wheel is sitting
over the patch spot. Note: Wipe some motor or other oil on the area of
the plywood that will sit on the patch so the patch doesn't stick to the
plywood when you remove it.

--
Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeros after @