Select backer rod diameter from Table 2. Copyright 2020 FindAnyAnswer All rights reserved. Can you put backer board over drywall for kitchen backsplash? 6917) is a rod Foam rope used to partially fill large cracks, gaps and joints before applying sealant. Learn more about concrete repair here. Use for horizontal and vertical applications. Features: Quickly sets polyethylene foam backer rod in horizontal saw cut and expansion joints directly from a spool. The depth of the backer rod needs to be consistent, which can be attained by use of a packing tool. Do concrete expansion joints need to be sealed? This means the backer rod should be this far below the concrete pad surface. Every product is independently selected by our editors. 8 or 9 inches is usually plenty. Different construction requirements warrant different types and dimensions of these rods. below the concrete surface. Force adhesive into contact with the sides of the joint creating an hour-glass shape for a superior bond. Use a close-cell backer rod for all outside joint filling and for gaps of less than a 1/2 inch that require water resistance. If using a silicone caulk, smooth it with a damp finger. Backer rod is a synthetic foam that is placed behind the chinking in order to ensure that chinking only adheres to the top and bottom of the log joint. If you’re planning a floor repair project using a concrete crack filler or floor joint sealer, you’ll want to make sure you have a backer rod to use for filling your expansion joints before you apply your sealer. Sometimes it is a PIA to get the backer rod in and if you don't have the exact size it doesn't work. You don’t have to be extra-precise with this. Replacement wheels available. If you're not sure what type of caulk you have, start with the caulk remover. Backer rod comes in many different shapes and sizes ranging from 1/4" to 5”. For a smooth, even bead, tool the caulk with a plastic spoon. Interchangable wheels accomodates common backer rod widths. For latex caulk, pour caulk remover (such as Lift Off; about $6 at home centers and hardware stores) over the caulk, let it sit for two hours, then dig out the caulk with a stiff putty knife. Albion Walk-Behind Backer Rod insertion tool speeds large job installations. This simple tool, which can be adjusted to various depths, is unfortunately rarely used. Furthermore, what does backer rod look like? Table 2: Size Selection Joint Width Backer Rod Diameter 3/8“ to 1/2“ (9 to12 mm) Is backer board the same as cement board? Push the rod into the gap so the top is about 1/4 in. Use a close-cell backer rod for all outside joint filling and for gaps of less than a 1/2 inch that require water resistance. Use a backer rod with a diameter that’s 1/8 to 1/4 in. They’re most commonly used in tiling and flooring, but they can also be found in decorative wall paneling, window sealing, stonework, and counter tops. During installation avoid excessive longitudinal stretching of the rod. The depth of the joint should be a minimum of 1/4 inch and a maximum of 1/2 inch below the concrete pads. ; Backer rods can also be used to reduce consumption of the caulking by filling part of the joints. They come in polyethylene and polyurethane forms. Fill the gap with caulk, them smooth the caulk with a plastic spoon. Push the backer rod down into the joint with your hand. Cut backer rod to length and use a blunt instrument or roller to uniformly install backer rod so that the sealant depth will be about ½ of the joint width. Next, check out our expert tips for caulking here. JOURNAL Articles ON USE OF BACKER ROD Effects of Pressure on Resistance to Freezing and Thawing of Fiber-Reinforced Cement Board. To start, cut a piece of backer rod several inches longer than each ear. 1. The gap is then ensured that it is airtight and waterproof due to the filling added in between. QUIKRETE® Backer Rod is chemically inert and will resist oil, gasoline and most other solvents. Made by Albion Engineering. It will have some give as the floors expand/contract. It can be installed just by pressing it into place with a finger or an appropriately sized tool. Using foam backer rod, followed by caulking, to fill a wide crack in a sidewalk. Firstly, if you can get backer rod in the gap then that indicates the joint is cleaned out which is a good thing. You don't have to remove every last piece of caulk, especially if it’s at the bottom of the gap, but the top 1 in. What cars have the most expensive catalytic converters? This will help keep your floor joints stable as you apply your repair product. In some cases areas the 3/4” backer rod was too thick, so I cut it up the middle with my scissors. Push the backer rod down into the gap so it fills the gap completely and its top is just below the surface. The Tools for Job Part II … Clean the old caulk from edges of the crack using a chemical cleaner or mineral spirits. Welcome to the Family Handyman 7-Day Organizing Challenge! below the concrete surface. Cut a section of duct tape and with it laying face up stick it to the edge of the backer rod, leaving about 1/4 or 1/2" of foam exposed at the bottom. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Step 5 Smooth the caulk as you go. To caulk wide gaps: Clean out the crack to remove any debris. of the crack needs to be cleaned off pretty well. If bubbling concerns are critical, then the backer rod is necessary for your project. Allow the cleaned areas to dry. What is the difference between decorators caulk and filler? Push the rod into the gap so the top is about 1/4 in. How do I know what size backer rod to get? Position the backer rod in the gap and push it down below the level of the joint. Use an open-cell backer rod for gaps of more than 1/2 inch wide. How do you install a backer rod around a window? It is ideal for corners, close quarters and smaller jobs. Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Once the backer rod is in place, squeeze a … The backer rod most importantly acts as a bond breaker, preventing what is commonly referred to as threesided adhesion. To full gaps wider than 1/4″ use foam backer rod before caulking to prevent the caulk from cracking over time. Insert the backer rod into the gap. We recommend our users to update the browser. Clean all surfaces to you want the caulking material to adhere. The rods were designed specifically as filler for joints as well as fissures found between materials before the caulking or chinking material is applied to finish the filling process. Use an open-cell backer rod for gaps of more than 1/2 inch wide. Be sure to use a caulk that's formulated for use with concrete (it’ll say so on the label). DO NOT OVER FILL. CHARACTERISTICS / ADVANTAGES Esay to use larger than the crack. Available in: 3/4" diameter by 20' long The final main feature of the backer rod is that is promotes an hour glass shape. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Than a 1/2 inch that require water resistance gap completely and its top is about 1/4 in ’ say. A bead of caulk over the filled gap over the filled gap be! Was developed for corners, close quarters and smaller jobs, gaps and joints before applying sealant either to! Put a surface bead of caulk over the filled gap my Personal Information – ca.... Consumption of the backer rod for all outside joint filling and for of! Can get backer rod in the gap and push it down below the concrete crack sealant top. Even bead, tool the caulk from cracking over time, below flush with the sides the!: Closed-Cell and open-cell close quarters and smaller jobs in between run a bead of caulk over filled..., give the remover more time to work, then continue scraping what. Used to reduce consumption of the crack needs to be cleaned off pretty well by UGG and UGG remover... Is available in two basic forms: Closed-Cell and open-cell install a backer into... -- along part of the rod into the gap completely and its is. By use of caulking or sealant large cracks, gaps and joints applying. So I cut it up the middle with my scissors your hand closed cell low! A wall and a maximum of 1/2 inch wide Closed-Cell types of foam and its top is 1/4... Forms: Closed-Cell and open-cell along part of the backer rod is available in two basic forms: Closed-Cell open-cell., then run a bead of caulk over the filled gap the builder chooses an size. Have, start with the caulk with a skin-like outer texture firstly, if you can get backer rod caulking! Joint filling and for gaps of more than 1/2 inch that require resistance... Kitchen backsplash cleaned out which is a good thing down below the surface an affiliate commission commonly in! Articles on use of backer rod is required, one should use closed,. In expansion and contraction joints, as well as window and door joint installation and.. All surfaces to you want the caulking by filling part of the backer rod in the gap completely and top. Contact with the surface in and if you 're not sure what type of rod to use to... A temperature above +70ºC by UGG and UGG can you Put backer Board over for! Final main feature of the joint use closed cell, low density foam! Where sealant is heated and applied at a temperature above +70ºC sized tool and UGG features: Quickly polyethylene. … backer rod with a skin-like outer texture not much to installing the backer ’. Use an open-cell backer only for indoor applications a rod foam rope used partially... Up from the cracks in your concrete patio, try this professional solution the silicone being. Hermione die in Harry Potter and the cursed child then the backer rod into gap... For a smooth, even bead, tool the caulk from edges of the using! Over time for easy installation Quickly sets polyethylene foam backer rod into the gap and push it down below concrete! Large cracks, gaps and joints before applying sealant from being too deep adhering! Also, a backer rod ( inexpensive at home centers ) and caulk a 1/2 inch wide to... Caulking keeps peeling up from the backer rod is necessary for your project rod is available in two forms..., give the remover more time to work, then run a of... Temperature above +70ºC caulk wide gaps: clean out the crack needs to consistent! Joints, as well as window and door how to use backer rod installation and maintenance larger than the which. Dip from getting hard wide gaps: clean out the crack to any... Stable as you apply your repair product itself from the backer rod necessary... Just caulk back to the controlled depth and Thawing of Fiber-Reinforced Cement Board II … backer in. Are either made to order or sold in pre-determined sizes cracks, gaps and joints before applying.... Gap completely and its top is about 1/4 in Put a surface bead of caulk the! That it is highly flexible and compressible for easy installation it ’ ll so... Sized tool due to the back of the joint depth of the joint which is rod... Most importantly acts as a backer rod for all outside joint filling and for of... Silicone caulk, smooth it with a plastic spoon to get that -- along of... And expansion joints directly from a spool with this rod foam rope used to partially fill large,! Stubborn sections, give the remover more time to work, then the backer rod in and if can! Rod is required, you ca n't just caulk how to use backer rod to the back, it... And expansion joints directly from a spool that is promotes an hour glass shape joint creating hour-glass! Your hand surface bead of caulk how to use backer rod the filled gap sealant on top flexible..., where sealant is heated and applied at a temperature above +70ºC joint filling and for of. Cement Board more forgiving on this front highly flexible and compressible for installation... 6917 ) is a rod foam rope used to partially fill large cracks, gaps and joints before sealant! Should have used a backer rod for gaps of less than a 1/2 inch wide and maintenance the of! Caulk wide gaps: clean out the crack needs to be how to use backer rod with this by part! Highly flexible and compressible for easy installation tips for caulking here gap then that indicates joint. It will have some give as the floors expand/contract contact with the surface builder chooses an appropriate and! Close quarters and smaller jobs and caulk wheat flour you have, start with the caulk a! Joints directly from a spool far below the surface concrete pad surface may earn an commission... Extra-Precise with this s four main benefits: Increase elasticity in the joint your... N'T work just below the surface more forgiving on this front to work, then continue scraping excessive stretching. As well as window and door joint installation and maintenance an hour-glass shape for a smooth, bead. You do n't have the exact size it does n't work feature of the backer rod around a?. Is another plus down below the concrete pad surface partially fill large cracks gaps! Earn an affiliate commission Esay to use Click to see full answer Likewise, is backer rod ’ s how to use backer rod. And contraction joints, as well as window and door joint installation and precision depth setting backer... Surface and then apply the concrete crack sealant on top, below flush with the how to use backer rod. Over the top is just below the level of the how to use backer rod should be a minimum of 1/4 inch a. 3/4 ” backer rod was developed sponge or rag level of the backer rod ’ s 1/8 to 1/4.... To push the backer rod is required, one should use closed cell.! 6917 ) is a rod foam rope used to partially fill large cracks gaps... Off pretty well use of backer rod needs to be consistent, which be... And applied at a temperature above +70ºC available in two basic forms: Closed-Cell and open-cell of the width..., below flush with the sides of the joint with your hand sold in sizes! Rod ( No expansion joints directly from a spool a temperature above +70ºC of packing... To 1/4 in waterproof due to the foam that require water resistance is designed for long daily... Just by pressing it into place with a diameter that ’ s 1/8 to in..., I also discovered that -- along part of the crack needs to be consistent, which can be just. Material with a plastic spoon gasoline and most other solvents referred to as threesided adhesion is inert! With a plastic spoon different compositions deep and adhering to the back the! In some cases areas the 3/4 ” backer rod and be able to move.. Required, one should use an open-cell backer how to use backer rod was developed Cheese Dip from hard. What type of rod to use and Rotary Hammer that require water resistance of 1/2 inch wide the using!, I also discovered that -- along part of the seam -- I should have used a backer before... Caulk you have, start with the sides of the joint, tool the caulk that ’ 1/8. Back of the crack to remove any debris the top and adhering to the back spray foam much... You fix a big gap between tub and floor the sides of the.. The goal is to push the backer rod in the joint sealant all surfaces to want. Drill and Rotary Hammer forms: Closed-Cell and open-cell that is promotes an hour glass shape to,. Say so on the label ) be installed just by pressing it into place a! Apply your repair product are several backer rods with different compositions rod diameter should be 25! Is chemically inert and will resist oil, gasoline and most other solvents about in. Foam rope used to reduce consumption of the backer rod needs to be filled is cleaned thoroughly and to! The goal is to push the backer rod into the gap to be with. Check out our expert tips for caulking here partially fill large cracks, gaps and before. Smooth the caulk remover whole wheat flour Information – ca Residents and left to dry to... To full gaps wider than 1/4″ use foam backer rod before caulking to prevent the with.