Driveway expansion joints

[Farres]

I have a big three car garage and a bigger three car driveway. Driveway is about 1,600 sq. ft. total, with about 160 feet of 2x4 expansion joints. The 2x4's have mostly rotted away and need to be replaced. Here's my question: should I use pressure treated 2x4's, primed and painted 2x4's or just regular old 2x4's? I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[kingchevy]

Redwood.

 

[bczygan]

Man, I hate when they do that!

How are you going to get the old ones out and the new ones in?

How are you going to seal the new ones and protect them from rot?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I've never seen a driveway like that. If it was a patio I'd pour concrete or plant grass.

 

[fourjeepin]

I have the same issue. My driveway is really old and the 2x4s are completely gone. What's the best thing for us to do?

 

[Bondo]

I've never seen a driveway like that. If it was a patio I'd pour concrete or plant grass.

Ayuh,.... Ditto that,... can't imagine tryin' to Replace the wood,...

 

[rsanter]

Get some concrete and mix in some pea gravel or DG or or dye the concrete. something to make it a bit decorative. Then fill the voids with concrete

Bob

 

[wssix99]

How about using creosote lumber? (like railroad ties) It should be just fine for outside and should hold up better than PT lumber.

 

[kj_mustang]

All wood driveway expansion joints I have seen use PT 1x4's.

 

[Rookie2]

found this:

http://www.slabgasket.com/slab-gasket-pricing/index.php

 

[skyking]

Slab gasket degrades also . Fill it with roofing tar.You can get it in gallon jugs with a ******.

 

[kbs2244]

160 feet of a 2x4 void would take many, many gallons of patching tar.
I like the dyed concrete idea.

 

[jhasafety1]

I look at a product called epoxy rock, just epoxy resin and small river rocks. Would last forever.

 

[djjsr]

Don't use tar. You'll end up with black dotted lines on your driveway.

 

[wssix99]

160 feet of a 2x4 void would take many, many gallons of patching tar.
I like the dyed concrete idea.

Putting a solid material in an expansion joint won't end well. As the slab expands and contracts, it will crush the cemtitious material in the joint in to gravel and/or dust. Or worse could happen, a solid material in the joints could cause the slab to buckle. We see it a lot wtih sidewalks that don't have enough room to expand:

 

[starquestMM]

I'd say for that size you only need some compressible material at the street and at the house. The rest of the joints were only there to control shrinkage cracking in the fresh concrete and can be filled with mortar.

 

[Farres]

Thanks for all of the replies. I figure the expansion joints are there for a reason, so I'm not inclined to put mortar or anything that hardens. Replacing the 2x4s won't be that big of deal--getting straight lumber will likely be the most difficult part. Any last thoughts on PT versus non PT, redwood or primed and painted?

 

[tomshep]

Mine has 1x4 that are pretty much gone. I have noticed during cooler seasons the separation is greater. Once it irritates me enough I am going to replace with cedar.

As stated, it can't be solid. It has to give or more damage could be done to the driveway.

Tom

 

[rancherbill]

Ummmmm, this is tough. The original ones rotted away so maybe perhaps pressure treated ones might be a good choice. Redwood IMO doesn't last any longer and you pay a premium for the appearance.

 

[Riley]

Heck, I think I'd certainly use pressure treated.

They used to have a green liquid material, quite thin when applied, that also sealed the wood. I used it on a ground contact deck many years ago and it appears to be holding up well.

I'd try to locate something like that, apply it to the bottom of the PT lumber that will be in ground contact, and hope for a good 20 plus years out of it.