How do caulk gap between sleepers and tiles?

[PatDIY_Dad]

2 questions here:

1. 

I got a some red gum sleepers for a garden bed and have some outdoor tiles newly installed

I need to just caulk along the tiles and the sleepers

Being the nature of old railway sleepers they are not all straight and smooth like your regular timber sleeper. Plus theyive moved a little with time

There's some smaller gaps and a couple of larger gaps like this one ( this is about 25-30mm) How would you typically caulk this?

Should I try to fill the gap first with some expansion foam to bring the gap smaller?

After some advice thanks

2nd question;

I have SikaFlex FC sausage silicone ( external and paintable ) that I will use for joining the joins on external cladding boards used for a ceiling

I have done one join already but its a huge pain to do a neat job

I am not sure if its the sika flex silicone requires more skill to use ( as I have heard from tradies say its a pain to use that as its so sticky)

or if its just alot hard to do with a ladder and have miniumum movement with a ladder 

I can only go as far as my arm reaches then I have to stop and move the ladder and go again ( as its a ceiling )

Is there any other product around that I can try for the next join?

Has to be:

• Highly flexible like the sikaflex stuff
• paintable
• external ( its under cover but its not fully enclosed this section

[MitchellMc]

Hi @PatDIY_Dad,

Sikaflex is likely the best product for both jobs. For the sleepers, you might like to run an aluminium flat bar along the face of them to give you a flat surface to fill between it and the tiles. Behind it to fill up the void you could also use Sikaflex. I think adding the aluminium would improve the look as opposed to just filling the entire area with Sikaflex.

Filling gaps can be a bit of a pain when working overhead. Using Sikaflex isn't terribly more difficult then any other products, but it is quite sticky. Are you taping up either side of the gap, running your bead of Sikaflex and then smoothing it off with a wet soapy finger or silicone scraper? Once it's smoothed you can move to the next section and continue the process. Taping either side is important as when you smooth the Sika, it will tend to spread outwards onto the tape. You should be left with some crisp and smooth joints when the tape is removed.

Let me tag @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @PatDIY_Dad 

I was thinking maybe a product like they put into the expansion joins on footpaths. Something like this Sika 10 x 75mm 6m Abelflex Expansion Joint Filler Foam as a fill then use the sikaflex to finish trhe now smaller gap.

As to the second question, practice is about all I can off, Ive watched the same videos, tried it myself and have improved maybe 10% lol I think its a skill to master slowly. Listen to your rear brain when it tells you to get down and shift that ladder When I havnt I have generally fallen or dropped overthing, its not worth the pain. Bit by bit and knowledge of use. I dont know of another product to use sorry 😕

Dave

[EricL]

Hi @PatDIY_Dad 

Using expansion foam would definitely reduce the amount of filler you would need to use in the gap. I can only suggest the same product to fill the gap which is Sikaflex. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @PatDIY_Dad 

I'm not a fan of expansion foam especially with anyone not experienced using it as it can get out of hand quite quickly. I think following @MitchellMc will be your best course of action. Sika is my personal favourite and least favourite product to use. It's by far the most effective, but the lest forgiving in application. My recommendation would be to apply in a shady and cool part of the day. Apply minimal amount to avoid wiping out too much during smoothing as once it spreads it stays spread. You can always add more later. Tape off to protect areas and wear thin gloves as it's difficult to remove of your skin.

Nailbag