Check out this updated article explaining how much more affordable pumping joint filler is now. The article is the same. But, the numbers are crazy low.

So, you’re comfortable filling floor joints on the average job. It’s easy. Just get some cartridges and start pumping. But now you’re looking at a larger project and there are far more joints to be filled than your average job. You’re adding up the cost of the cartridges you’ll need on this one and it’s a big number. Plus, you’ll need more people to install it 20 ounces at a time.

You know that these materials are available in bulk units. But you’d need a pump and you’re not sure you’d have another need to use it again any time soon. Seems like a like a bad investment for just one job. Let’s take a look at the math for a clearer picture.

Example: Assume you have a 6” thick slab and have 3500lf of 1/8” saw cut joints. The depth of the cut is 25% or 1.5”. The average coverage for this joint is 100 lineal feet per gallon.

Cartridge Option:
Cartridges contain 22 ounces each. That means you’ll need 204 cartridges to fill these joints. Approximately $9,243.00. This would be slow going and labor intensive. Lots of hand and knee work. Need one person shaving for every 2 squeezing.

Bulk Option:
10 gallon units are $580.00/ea. You’ll need 3.5 of these. $2,030.00. (Saving $7,200 in materials.) This mini bulk pump would cost you $2,900. Total cost with pump is $4,930. Faster, continuous filling and needs fewer people. (Don’t forget to consider the labor savings too!)

Labor Saving?

First, let’s take a look at the amount of time it takes to apply the joint filler manually. One person filling joints with a manual cartridge applicator gun can fill around 16 lineal feet per minute. That means they have to squeeze the handle and then swap to a new cartridge that has been made ready to apply by another person. So, in theory, two people can perform a continuous filling operation that would fill 16 lineal feet per minute.

With a pump, two people could fill that same joint at a rate of 60 lineal feet per minute. One person operates and moves the pump while another keeps the pump hoppers full. That’s the same labor costs to complete nearly 4 times the work. Not to mention, no one has to work bent over or on their hands and knees.

Now that you own a pump, you’ll be able to see lower material costs on every job regardless of the size.

Check out the summary in the chart below

Comparison for manual vs pump application of joint filler in 3500lf of 1/8”x1 ½”deep sawed joints

*assumes $35/hr labor rate

The post Filling Control Joints: When Does It Make Sense to Use Bulk Material? Mini-Pump Update! appeared first on Indcon Inc..

You know that these materials are available in bulk units. But you’d need a pump and you’re not sure you’d have another need to use it again any time soon. Seems like a like a bad investment for just one job. Let’s take a look at the math for a clearer picture.

Example: Assume you have a 6” thick slab and have 7500lf of 1/8” saw cut joints. The depth of the cut is 25% or 1.5”. The average coverage for this joint is 100 lineal feet per gallon.

Cartridge Option:
Cartridges contain 22 ounces each. That means you’ll need 437 cartridges to fill these joints. Approximately $19,800.00. This would be slow going and labor intensive. Lots of hand and knee work. Need one person shaving for every 2 squeezing.

Bulk Option:
10 gallon units are $580.00/ea. You’ll need 8 of these. $4,640.00. (Saving $15,160 in materials.) A bulk pump would cost you $7350 Total cost with pump is $11,990. Faster, continuous filling and needs fewer people. (Don’t forget to consider the labor savings too!)

Labor Saving?

First, let’s take a look at the amount of time it takes to apply the joint filler manually. One person filling joints with a manual cartridge applicator gun can fill around 16 lineal feet per minute. That means they have to squeeze the handle and then swap to a new cartridge that has been made ready to apply by another person. So, in theory, two people can perform a continuous filling operation that would fill 16 lineal feet per minute.

With a pump, two people could fill that same joint at a rate of 60 lineal feet per minute. One person operates and moves the pump while another keeps the pump hoppers full. That’s the same labor costs to complete nearly 4 times the work. Not to mention, no one has to work bent over or on their hands and knees.

Now that you own a pump, you’ll be able to see lower material costs on every job regardless of the size.

Check out the summary in the chart below

Comparison for manual vs pump application of joint filler in 7500lf of 1/8”x1 ½”deep sawed joints

*assumes $35/hr labor rate

The post Filling Control Joints: When Does It Make Sense to Use Bulk Material? appeared first on Indcon Inc..

Hard-wheeled vehicles, carts, and pallet jacks traveling over a sealant-filled joint will cause it to deflect, leaving the edges of the joint unprotected. Leading to edge cracking and spalling. Therefore, the best use of joint sealants in an industrial floor is to fill joints not subject to traffic such as isolation joints at walls or columns and under racks.

Industrial floor joints subjected to heavy and/or hard-wheeled traffic should be filled with a semi-rigid joint filler. These are either polyurea or epoxy materials.

Semi-rigid joint fillers restore continuity to a concrete floor that was disrupted by cutting joints into the surface. Because they are hard and relatively inflexible , joint fillers protect joint edges from damage caused by hard wheel impact and heavy loads. Filling these joints allow for wheels to roll across the joint as though it was a continuous concrete surface while still allowing for the joints to continue to perform the job of relieving stress within the slab.

So, what if you need flexibility and the ability to take heavy traffic?

Let’s say you have fork truck and tractor trailer traffic outside. There are sealants that are tough enough for industrial traffic that still have enough flexibility to accommodate movement as temperatures change during the day. While these sealants won’t provide the stiffness of a joint filler, they are a good middle ground for outside joints.

Choosing the right sealant for each area is essential to ensuring longer life of your plant/mill infrastructure. Check out the chart below:

Don’t forget to check out our line sheet to see all we have to offer!

The post Joint Fillers vs Joint Sealers appeared first on Indcon Inc..

Prep of your joints has to be done. And, the easier you make it, the better chance you have at success. There are many unique and high speed saws that are the latest and greatest for this job. But, you don’t have to break the bank to get it done. Chances are, you already have what you’ll need to clean and prep your joints. If you have a grinder, diamond blade, shroud and a vacuum, you have what you need.

Check out our checklist for joints and floors for a list of the items you’ll need to tackle this job:

Flooring & Joint Repair Checklist

The post The Key to Ensuring Long-Term Success of Your Joint Sealant appeared first on Indcon Inc..

Need to talk to an expert? Call us at 888-809-2365.

The post Product Selection Guide for Sealants for Exterior Control and Expansion Joints appeared first on Indcon Inc..

01. Is the joint a control joint or an expansion joint?

Not all joints serve the same purpose. The type of joint you’re sealing determines the best product to seal your joints.

• Control Joints are placed in concrete to manage shrinkage and minimize random cracking. These joints typically don’t experience significant movement but still need sealing to prevent water infiltration and debris accumulation.
• Expansion Joints allow concrete slabs to expand and contract with temperature changes and movement. These joints require a flexible, high-performance sealant that can stretch and compress without losing adhesion.

Using the wrong sealant for the joint type can lead to premature failure, cracking, or separation over time.

02. What is the joint going to be exposed to?

Exterior concrete is constantly exposed to weather, moisture, and chemicals. The right sealant should match the environmental conditions of the job site.

• Moisture & Freeze-Thaw Cycles: In areas prone to heavy rain or freezing temperatures, a water-resistant and freeze-thaw-stable sealant is necessary to prevent water infiltration and joint failure.
• UV Exposure: Some sealants degrade when exposed to prolonged sunlight. If the joints are in an uncovered area, choose a UV-stable product to prevent hardening and cracking.
• Chemical Resistance: In industrial areas or roadways where deicing salts, fuel, or other chemicals are present, a chemically resistant sealant is needed to prevent premature breakdown.

Selecting a sealant that withstands these environmental factors ensures long-term protection and reduces maintenance needs.

03. What sort of traffic will each joint be expected to carry?

The amount and type of traffic passing over the sealed joint play a major role in choosing the right product to seal your joints.

• Heavy Vehicle Traffic: If forklifts, trucks, or heavy equipment will pass over the joint, a high-strength, abrasion-resistant sealant is required.
• Pedestrian Traffic: In areas with only foot traffic, a flexible sealant can be used, but it should still be durable enough to prevent early wear.
• Slip & Trip Hazards: In walkways or public spaces, the sealant should cure to a smooth, level finish without becoming too rigid or brittle.

A properly selected sealant will hold up to wear and tear, preventing cracking and material failure under stress.

04. Does the joint have any fall or slope in it?

The orientation of the joint determines the best sealant consistency for the job.

• Sloped or Vertical Joints: Use a non-sag sealant that stays in place after application.
• Flat, Horizontal Joints: A self-leveling sealant is ideal for ensuring a smooth, even fill without the need for tooling.

Choosing the correct type of sealant ensures proper adhesion and prevents sagging or pooling in the joint.

Check out our product selection guide for exterior control and expansion joints:

Product Selection Guide for Exterior Control & Expansion Joints

The post What should you know before you seal your joints in exterior concrete? appeared first on Indcon Inc..