What happens when your driveway separates and cracks apart at the joints? You may have noticed this phenomenon in your own driveway or in local walkways, as water, ice, and time work together to erode at the seal between wooden joints and the cement they hold in place.
Eventually, that cement will pull away from the joints and cause cracks that can fill with dirt and debris, resulting in weeds taking root. What’s more, the water and melted ice that seep down into these cracks will erode the wood inside over time, creating further damage.
How Can Gaps Be Fixed?
There was a time when the only way to fix these gaps was to either tear out and replace the rotting wooden support joints, or to caulk the cracks closed. There were drawbacks to each of these approaches, however, since caulk would quickly deteriorate. Even well-placed caulking was more susceptible to the elements than wood or cement, meaning it would quickly split and cause even more issues than the wood it was replacing.
Replacing the original supports with more wood would only prolong the process. Eventually, the second round of supports would also begin to break down, causing the same problems all over again. It could quickly become an expensive proposition for the homeowner!
Today’s Solution
These days, the best solution is to use premade driveway gap filler products. Typically made from weather-proof rubbery materials, these gap fillers gently expand and contract along with the movement of the cement around them – not with the changing weather. They seal the gaps watertight, preventing further structural damage and disallowing deterioration since the material they are made from is impervious to rot. The best part about these gap fillers, though? They are inexpensive, easy to install and prevent damage, weeds, and more for up to a decade.
Contact your local retailer today to find out if they carry gap fillers. Your driveway will look better than it ever has – no caulking guns required!
