Control Joint Fillers
Sealing the Deal
United Professional installs polyurea, polyurethane, and flexible or semi-rigid epoxy systems.
Three characteristics of a joint filler material determine successful joint filling.
Compression: This describes the ability of the filling product to properly absorb loading. Ideally, a joint-filling product should allow for the heaviest loads to be carried across the joint without allowing filler deflections which damage the joint edge.
Adhesion: This plays an important part in maintaining the bond to the joint fascia during and after slab shrinkage. The ability to remain adhered to the joint fascia maintains the sealing aspect of the product and addresses moisture intrusion.
Elongation: With adhesion, this allows the joint filler product to move with the deflections of the slab due to loading. This also allows the filler to follow shrinkage and thermal movement of the slab. Ideally, a product would display sufficient elongation to maintain adhesion, even after the completion of slab shrinkage without pulling the concrete fascia loose.
An ideal control joint filler should:
- Be compressible, yet protect the joint fascia from spalling.
- Adhere to the joint fascia areas without being affected by punch-down forces.
- Withstand curing shrinkage stresses and subsequent joint cycling caused by temperature and loading.
