METHOD STATEMENT

For Sealing of Floor and Speciality

Joints
04/2014 / 03 / SIKA SERVICES AG / CHRISTIAN VOELLM

CORPORATE CONSTRUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction 3
1.1 Compatibility of Joint Sealing Technologies 3
1.2 Joint Dimensioning 4
1.3 Joint Sealing Procedure 4
2 Surface Preparation 5
2.1 Surface Preparation of Non-porous Substrates 5
2.2 Surface Preparation of Porous Substrates 5
3 Installation of Backing Rod 6
4 Activating and Priming 7
4.1 Application of Sika® Aktivator and Sika® Primer on non-porous Substrates 7
4.2 Application of Sika® Primer on porous Substrates 8
5 Sealant Application 9
6 Tooling 10

Method Statement
For Sealing of Floor, Pavement and other Speciality template for local adaption
Joints
04/2014, 03
No.850 58 03

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1 INTRODUCTION
This method statement outlines general requirements for installing Sikaflex® and Sikasil® joint sealants. Following
this guideline will help to ensure good sealant performance.
Since Sikaflex® and Sikasil® sealants are applied in many different environments and situations, these statements
are not intended to be a complete and comprehensive quality assurance program. Field adhesion tests are
required to ensure good sealant performance and to verify any sealant recommendation.

1.1 COMPATIBILITY OF JOINT SEALING TECHNOLOGIES

It may happen that a newly installed sealant joint abuts on an existing one and therefore different sealants get in
contact with each other. In this case it is crucial to check the sealant’s compatibility. Chemical incompatibility
and/or plasticizer migration can lead to adhesion problems and may influence the sealant’s cohesion. The
following table advises which sealant technology may get in contact with another one. Nevertheless, adhesion and
compatibility tests are recommended in each individual case.

Table 1: Joint sealant compatibility matrix

++ Preferable replacement solution
+ Feasible replacement solution
- Non-feasible replacement solution
Replacement
sealant
Silane terminated
Polyurethane

polymer

Silicone

Sealant to be
replaced

Polyurethane ++ + +

Silane terminated
+ ++ +
polymer

Silicone - - ++

Method Statement
For Sealing of Floor, Pavement and other Speciality template for local adaption
Joints
04/2014, 03
No.850 58 03

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1.2 JOINT DIMENSIONING
To make sure a sealing joint fulfils the requirements under all conditions it has to be dimensioned according to the
following rules.
The joint width (dimension A) must be dimensioned to accommodate the expected movements (e.g. thermal
expansion/compression) of the adjacent building elements and the movement capability of the selected sealant.
For further information please contact the Technical Service Department of Sika.
Dimension Value

Dimension A min. 10 mm

Dimension B min. 8 mm
max. 25 mm

Ratio A:B approx. 1:0.8

Depending on their function floor joints can be shaped in two different ways:
Flush joints are mainly used on areas for pedestrians or with light traffic only. As sealant and floor form a more or
less uniform surface the risk of stumbling is minimised.
Recessed joints are used in heavily trafficked areas. The sealant is below the floors surface and therefore
protected from mechanical damage (e.g. by car wheels).

Left: Flush joint, right: recessed joint

1.3 JOINT SEALING PROCEDURE

There are five basic steps for proper joint preparation and sealant application (see following table
and chapters):

Step Action

1 Preparation Joint surfaces must be clean, dry, dust- and frost-free

3 Backing Backing rod or bond breaker is applied as required

2 Activating, If required, an activator or a primer is applied to the clean surfaces

Priming

4 Sealing Sealant is applied into the joint

5 Tooling Tooling techniques are used to create an even joint surface and to make sure
the sealant contacts the joint flanks

Method Statement
For Sealing of Floor, Pavement and other Speciality template for local adaption
Joints
04/2014, 03
No.850 58 03

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2 SURFACE PREPARATION
This chapter provides information on cleaning procedures for porous and non-porous substrates. The key to good
sealant adhesion is a clean surface! You should always check with the supplier of the substrate to ensure that the
cleaning procedures and products are compatible with the substrate.

2.1 SURFACE PREPARATION OF NON-POROUS SUBSTRATES

Non-porous substrates such as metals, coated surfaces (e.g. powder coatings) or plastics have to be degreased
before applying Sika® Aktivator or Sika® Primer. Degrease all surfaces with Sika® Colma Cleaner or an equivalent
product using a white lint-free towel or paper and wipe the surface a second time with a dry, lint-free towel or
paper. Sika® Colma Cleaner and other solvents may attack coatings. Therefore we recommend performing test on
original substrates prior to use. Grinding the surface with an abrasive pad very fine (e.g. SIA abrasive pad very fine)
may improve the adhesion performance.

2.2 SURFACE PREPARATION OF POROUS SUBSTRATES

Many building materials such as concrete, natural stones or cement-based materials that absorb liquids are
considered porous substrates. Dusting alone may be sufficient cleaning for new porous substrates. Depending on
the condition of the surface, porous substrates may require abrasion steps in addition.
Step

Remove all loose or friable particles.

Laitance and surface dirt must be completely removed.
Concrete form-release agents, water repellents and other
types of surface treatments all affect sealant adhesion.
Removal of these treatments or coatings by abrasion cleaning
may be required to obtain acceptable adhesion.
Typical tools are steel brush and angular grinder.

Remove dust using a brush or water- and oil-free compressed

air.

Method Statement
For Sealing of Floor, Pavement and other Speciality template for local adaption
Joints
04/2014, 03
No.850 58 03

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3 INSTALLATION OF BACKING ROD
Elastic sealants should adhere to only two sides of the joint in order to perform properly. The bottom surface of
the sealant must be free to deform. Often, if the bottom of sealant adheres, the sealant will rupture in order to
deform. To avoid adhesion to the joint’s bottom and to limit its depth backing rods are used.

It is recommended to use closed-cell polyethylene backing rods for joint sealing. To provide sufficient backpressure
during sealant application, the backing rod should be sized ~25% larger than the joint width. Sizing differs among
backing rod types; refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Make sure that the backing rod’s skin is not damaged during the installation as this may influence the joint’s
quality.
Step

Apply backing rod into the joint using an adequate tool. Make
sure that the backing rod’s skin is not damaged.

Check the position of the backing rod in order to be in line

with the joint dimension calculation.

Method Statement
For Sealing of Floor, Pavement and other Speciality template for local adaption
Joints
04/2014, 03
No.850 58 03

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4 ACTIVATING AND PRIMING

4.1 APPLICATION OF SIKA® AKTIVATOR AND SIKA® PRIMER ON NON-POROUS SUBSTRATES

The following tables show the recommended pre-treatment for non-porous substrates and the recommended
application procedure. For further information please contact our Technical Service.
Substrate Recommended pre-treatment Flash-off time
Metals Sika® Aktivator-2051) > 15 min, < 8 h
® 2)
Coatings Sika Primer-3 N > 30 min, < 8 h
1)
Use Sika® Aktivator-205 for STP and Silicone based sealants
2)
Sika® Primer-3 N for PU based sealants (including i-Cure)

Step

Joint surfaces must be clean and dry (see Chapter 2).

Apply masking tape to the surfaces next to the joint to
keep excess primer off areas where it is not intended.

Apply Sika® Aktivator-205 with a clean, lint free cloth or

paper towel onto the surface. Let it flash-off at least 15
minutes.

Apply Sika® Primer-215 with a clean brush or a clean, lint

free roller onto the surface. Let it flash-off at least 30
minutes.

Apply Sika® Primer-3 N with a clean brush or a clean, lint

free roller onto the surface. Let it flash-off at least 30
minutes.

Caution
 Over-priming can cause adhesion loss between the sealant and the primer
 Sealant must be applied within 8 hours after Sika® Aktivator / Sika® Primer application. Any surfaces
primed but not sealed on within 8 hours must be re-cleaned and re-primed before sealant is applied.
 Store Sika® Aktivator and Sika® Primer with the cap tightly closed, as they react quickly when exposed to
moisture, reducing the adhesion-promoting capability.

Method Statement
For Sealing of Floor, Pavement and other Speciality template for local adaption
Joints
04/2014, 03
No.850 58 03

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4.2 APPLICATION OF SIKA® PRIMER ON POROUS SUBSTRATES
The following tables show the recommended pre-treatment for porous substrates and the recommended
application procedure.
Substrate Recommended pre-treatment Flash-off time
®
Sika Primer-3 N
Porous substrates >30 min, <8 h
Sika® Primer-1151)
1) Use Sika® Primer-115 as pre-treatment for Sikakaflex®-68 TF on concrete

Step

Cleaning, Masking, Preparation

Joint surfaces should be clean and dry (see Chapter 2). Apply masking tape
to the surfaces next to the joint to keep excess primer off areas where it is
not intended.

Pour some Sika® Primer into a small, clean container and close the primer
bottle immediately. To prevent deterioration of the primer, do not pour
more than a 10-minutes supply into the container.

Application
Apply Sika® Primer with a clean brush or a clean, lint free roller onto the
surface. Let it flash-off at least 30 minutes.

Caution
 Over-priming can cause adhesion loss between the sealant and the primer.
 Sealant must be applied within 8 hours after Sika® Primer application. Any surfaces primed but not sealed
within 8 hours must be re-cleaned and re-primed before sealant application.
 Store and Sika® Primer with the cap tightly closed, as they react quickly when exposed to moisture,
reducing the adhesion-promoting capabilities.

Method Statement
For Sealing of Floor, Pavement and other Speciality template for local adaption
Joints
04/2014, 03
No.850 58 03

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5 SEALANT APPLICATION
It is important that the sealant fills the entire joint or cavity and firmly contacts all surfaces. If the joint is
improperly filled, good adhesion will not be achieved, and the joint’s performance will be weakened.
Step

Masking
To ensure an aesthetically pleasing job, masking tape can be
used to keep excess sealant from contacting adjacent areas.

If self-levelling sealants are used normally no masking tapes

are used.

Nozzle cut
The nozzle used to apply the sealant has to be cut into the
adequate dimension. The aperture at the tip should be of the
same diameter as the joint’s width.
Self-made, customised nozzles (e.g. made from metal-tubes)
can be used as well.

Application
Apply the sealant using a caulking gun. Make sure that the
sealant is in full contact with the sides of the joints.
Keeping the nozzle’s tip at the joint-bottom (touching the
backing rod lightly) during the application does avoid air
entrapment.

Self-levelling sealants are filled into the joint from foil packs
with a nozzle (see above) or from another suitable pouring
tool such as watering cans.

Cure Inhibition
Some Sika® sealants are sensitive to alcohols. Therefore solvent-based pre-treatment agents (activators, primers)
have to flash-off completely prior to sealant application.

Method Statement
For Sealing of Floor, Pavement and other Speciality template for local adaption
Joints
04/2014, 03
No.850 58 03

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6 TOOLING
Tooling forces the sealant against the back-up material and the joint surfaces and therefore supports adhesion
build-up. For self-levelling sealants no tooling is required.
Step

Dry Tooling
Use an adequate spatula to remove excess material and
tool the sealant with light pressure against the joint sides.
Complete tooling within the skin-time.

Self-levelling products don’t need to be tooled.

Finishing
Remove the masking tape within the skin-time.

Wet Tooling
Use a compatible tooling agent (e.g. Sika® Tooling Agent N)
to smooth the joint surfaces. Do not use solvent
containing products!

© 2013 Sika Services AG / Nr 850 73 05

Version given by:

Christian Völlm, Corporate Product
Engineer Sealing&Bonding
Phone: +41 58 436 23 76
Mail: voellm.christian@ch.sika.com

Method Statement
For Sealing of Floor, Pavement and other Speciality template for local adaption
Joints
04/2014, 03
No.850 58 03

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