Table of Contents
Whether at the junction of the wall and the floor or on asphalt roads, you will often see different connections between them. These connections are usually known as joints and can be classified as expansion and construction joints.
Expansion joints are those where metallic parts are kept between two different concrete or other construction materials. When these metallic parts are exposed to high temperatures, they expand without causing any deformation or distortion to the construction structures.
On the other hand, construction joints are fixed and immovable. You will usually find them in areas where two different masonry or concrete structures need to be attached without the help of any other object.
Since expansion and construction joints are quite popular in any construction project, people must understand the usual problems one can face with them. If these joints are subjected to any damage, they can risk the safety and strength of the entire architecture.
As a result, there can be accidents and fatalities. Knowledge about fixing the problems with construction and expansion joints is equally important to prevent this. Keeping everything in mind, we have illustrated what problems one can face with these joints and how to fix them at the earliest.
What problems can one encounter with the expansion joint?
Although the expansion joints are quite strong and can resist mechanical and temperature impacts for a long time, they are not invincible. These joints can suffer due to several reasons like inadequate design, sealing installation, improper mobility, and so on. So, it’s crucial to understand what these problems are and what impact they can have on the construction structures.
- Water ingress and leaking are among the most common problems one has to face with expansion joints. It mainly occurs when there are cracks or holes in the joints, or they have expanded to the extent that space is created along the edges.
- The prime function of the expansion joint is to absorb the heat from the atmosphere of the surrounding ambiance and prevent distortion of the associated constructed parts. But if the joints do not work properly, they won’t be able to insulate the concrete structures from temperature and other weather elements.
- Apart from the loss of thermal insulation, expansion joints also suffer from losing the ability to prevent sound waves from crossing over. As a result, vibrations can easily travel along the concrete and masonry structures, making them unstable and risky.
- Traffic disruption is also another cause of failure in expansion joints, especially if they are present on roads and driveways.
What are the dangers one should be aware of about construction joints?
Just like the expansion joints, the construction joints are also fragile and can get damaged if not maintained properly. Some of the problems that usually occur with these joints are as follows.
- The formation of cracks parallel to the joint between two different construction parts is very common and mainly occurs in concrete structures. It can cause water absorption, weakening of the construction structure, and even increased rate of surface erosion.
- Breakage or snapping of construction parts due to the formation of cracks and holes of a large size at the construction joints is also a common phenomenon that one needs to be aware of. If not taken care of, the construction structure can collapse and cause serious accidents.
- Water absorption is another problem with construction joints, especially the ones with a naked concrete surface. It can cause the internal structures to get weakened and allow mold to thrive.
How to fix the problems associated with construction and expansion joints?
It is not easy to fix the problems with the construction and expansion joints, especially since these problems are very common and can occur due to improper installation and construction from the beginning. Therefore, regular maintenance and care should be done to prevent joint damage. In addition, construction workers should also assess the maximum pressure the joints can handle without any mechanical damage.
If the joint damage is not fixed in time, it can cause huge problems, from accidents to slow traffic movement. Usually, methods like injection grouting, cementation waterproofing, epoxy coat application, and so on are implemented to ensure the joints can stay safe and function as expected for the longest possible time.
Conclusion
As you are now aware of the general problems that can arise with expansion and construction joints, you won’t have any problem identifying the initial symptoms and calling for a professional to fix the issue. Please do not delay because the problems can worsen beyond the repair condition.
Furthermore, the damage at the joints of different constructed paths can also risk stability and safety. Therefore, the issues must be resolved as soon as possible by any means.
FAQs
Q. Can the expansion joint get affected during winters?
A. Yes, the expansion joints will be affected when the temperature is low, but the impact won’t be so drastic as in high temperatures. This is why most construction workers are worried about the exposure of the expansion joints to excessively high temperatures for a prolonged time.
In addition, these joints have a very low compression coefficient, which does not contract much during the winter season. This further reduces the chances of distortion of the construction parts when the temperature falls below the normal range.
Q. How can the cracks at construction joints be fixed?
A. One of the major problems with construction joints one can face is the formation of cracks. These can weaken the entire structure and cause them to collapse if the situation is not taken care of at the earliest. This is why the best way to deal with cracks at the construction joints is to fill them using injection grout or plaster.
Out of these two options, the former sounds more feasible because it is cost-effective, long-lasting, suitable for both high and low-pressure areas, and compatible with both concrete and masonry structures.