Concrete Expansion Joints
Concrete Joints
Installation and Repair for Commercial Structures
Sure-Seal installs concrete expansion joints and stone expansion joints for projects of every scale, from single-building repairs to large infrastructure work.
Concrete can’t stretch, but it does move. Thermal effects cause it to expand and contract differently across different parts of a structure, and without the right joints in place, that movement leads to cracking. We integrate expansion joints at the specific points a building needs them most.
Contact us by filling in the form on our contact page or calling 403-265-8677.
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what are concrete Expansion Joints?
Joining Concrete
Concrete expansion joints separate slabs and concrete from the rest of a structure, allowing free, independent movement between concrete slabs, walls, and adjoining structures.
They give concrete somewhere to expand, reducing the chance of cracking in assemblies that would otherwise have no room to move.
Heat and cold both cause concrete to expand and contract as weather and environmental conditions shift. A properly sized expansion joint, typically around 4 inches, absorbs that movement without putting added stress on the surrounding structure.
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What Materials Are Used
Saving Building Structures
Concrete expansion joints help protect buildings from structural failure caused by material movement, including during seismic activity.
In concrete floors, a proper sealer protects joints from the damage caused by heavy, repeated loads. Without it, joints chip and crack at the edges over time, which can lead to broader concrete failure.
We work with a range of materials to form concrete expansion joints in slabs, matched to the load and movement each project needs to handle.
We install and repair concrete expansion joints across a wide range of structures, including:
- Windows and doors
- Stadiums
- Roads
- Parking Structures & Spaces
- LRT Platforms
- Medical Purposes
- Box culverts
- High-rise building envelopes
Purpose of Expansion Joints
Prevent Cracking
Expansion joints exist to prevent cracking caused by thermal expansion and contraction. Concrete starts as a mix of fluid, gravel, and cement, and as it cures, the fluid evaporates and the material hardens, contracting as it does.
Surrounding structures such as granular fill, soil, and adjoining slabs can restrict that contraction. When they do, they place tensile stress on the concrete, which is significantly weaker in tension than in compression. Once that stress exceeds what the concrete can handle at its weakest point, cracking starts, often at random points across the surface.
Various Concrete Expansion Joints
Repairing Cracked Joints
We schedule concrete expansion joint repairs for cooler days when possible, since concrete contracts in cold weather, making it easier to work with. Our crews use a putty knife, vacuum, chisel, or compressed air to clear accumulated dust and debris before starting repair work.
Cracks form when the movement of surrounding materials puts extra pressure on concrete that isn’t properly joined. Expansion joints prevent that pressure from building up in the first place.
Sure-Seal replaces cracked concrete slabs and repairs damaged expansion joints so they perform like new, including joints in roads, office buildings, and large commercial structures.
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Sure-Seal has been solving concrete movement and cracking problems for Calgary and Western Canada businesses since 1982. Our crews bring the technical knowledge and hands-on experience to get expansion joint work done right the first time.
We will answer all your questions and give you a FREE quote. Fill in the form on our contact page or call 403-265-8677.