Graphic with red bar and text 'Sealing Trafficable Floor Joints' on a white background – highlighting floor joint sealing applications

How To Seal Trafficable Floor Joints With Multibond

NP Digital

Key Takeaways:

  • Primer 150 for Porous Surfaces: For floor joints in concrete or masonry, using Soudal Primer 150 is essential. It prepares the sides of the joint to ensure a high-strength bond that won’t peel away under the pressure of traffic.
  • The Importance of Backing Rods: Inserting a backing rod to the correct depth prevents “three-point bonding.” This allows the sealant to stretch and compress only between the two sides of the joint, which is vital for long-term elasticity.
  • Trafficable Durability: Unlike standard sealants, this formula is specifically designed to be trafficable. It handles the friction of foot traffic and light machinery in both internal and external environments.
  • Fast Curing for Minimal Downtime: The fast-curing nature of SMX technology means the area can be returned to service much sooner than with traditional polyurethane sealants.

Durable Sealing for High-Traffic Areas

Sealing joints in floors requires a product that balances flexibility with hardness. Multibond SMX50 is engineered for this exact purpose. Whether you are working on a warehouse floor, a driveway, or a commercial kitchen, this sealant remains elastic and resistant to many chemicals while providing a surface that is safe to walk on.

Professional Application Method

  1. Prime the Joint: Apply Primer 150 to the sides of the joint. This is a critical step for porous substrates to ensure maximum adhesion.
  2. Mask the Edges: Apply masking tape to both sides of the joint to ensure a clean, professional finish.
  3. Set the Depth: Insert a backing rod to the correct depth. This controls the amount of sealant used and prevents bonding to the bottom of the joint.
  4. Apply the Sealant: Extrude the sealant steadily into the joint. Slightly overfill the area to ensure there are no hollow spots.
  5. Finish and Smooth: Use Soudaglatt to smoothen the sealant. This creates a level surface that is flush with the floor.
  6. Clean and Finalise: Clean any excess product with Swipex Wipes. Remove the masking tape before the sealant begins to form a skin. Smooth the sealant with Soudal Joint Finishing Solution.

From structural bonding to expansion joints, Soudal provides a complete range of professional flooring products. Explore the full Soudal Multibond Range or visit our store locator to find a stockist today.

FAQs

  • Can I use this for external driveways? Yes. Multibond SMX50 is highly resistant to UV and all weather conditions. It is designed to perform in the harsh Australian climate without becoming brittle.
  • When can I walk on the joint? While it skins quickly, the joint should be allowed to cure before heavy traffic is introduced. It is generally trafficable for foot traffic within 24 hours, depending on joint depth and temperature.
  • Is it paintable? Yes. If the floor requires a specific colour match, the sealant can be painted once fully cured. It contains no solvents, so it will not react with most floor coatings.