Expansion Joints

An expansion joint is a mid-structure separation designed to relieve stress on building materials caused by movement that typically extends through all building materials. This gap must be filled to restore the waterproofing, fire proofing, sound proofing, air barrier, and other functions of the building elements that it bisects. Expansion joint systems are used to bridge the gap and restore the building assembly function while accommodating expected movements. These are common in buildings, parking garages, stadiums, and bridges. The proper maintenance and replacement of expansion joints is important to ensure the integrity of the structure that it bisects.

Damage can occur to expansion joints because of wind, seismic events, thermal expansion, static load deflection, live load deflection, and vehicular and snowplow impact. Valcourt works closely with the major expansion joint manufacturers to assure that the proper expansion joint is chosen for the specific project. We properly remove old expansion joint systems, clean debris, make needed repairs to the opening, and install new expansion joint systems according to manufacturer’s specifications by trained technicians. Properly upgraded expansion joint systems can prolong the life of a structure and reduce maintenance costs during the lifetime of the structure.