Should I seal gaps around the basement concrete floor?

wyx2000

I think every house should be the same, when my house was built, concrete walls were built first, then sand applied on the basement floor, then plastic for moisture barrier and then a layer of concrete.

Since the walls and the floor were not done in the same time, so there is a line of gap between the concrete floor and the walls. The gap is around 0.1 inch or more, I think some worms came up from it. I am thinking about applying some quick concrete to fill it, to prevent moisture and even radon.

My question is if there is any concern to do it? is it suggested to do? and if I fill the gap, will it cause pressure to the walls when the floor expand on heat? I personally think the expanding is not a problem since the home temp is 20 consistently and will not be much hot. But I just want to double check.

Thanks.

redman88

I would use a gap filler that would allow for expansion and contraction

wyx2000

thanks.
Is it a standard way to use gap filler to fill a basement floor gap? I mean two things, first, is it a common task to fill basement floor gap, second, is it a common way to use gap filler to do the job?

redman88

That's what I would do..... not that that's the correct thing to do.

wyx2000

Ok, I would expect to get some professional suggestions.

concretemasonry

That is a very common construction detail and it has been done for decades and to also to provide a good means to provide support and a good construction schedule in all climates.

Normally, it is allowed to provide movement space between the slab and the walls. That is why flexible sealers are used instead of rigid sealers. The cracks is there from the long term shrinkage of the concrete slab over the first year or so. Any change in the slab dimensions (shrinkage and expansion are due to temperature and moisture contents of the slab and the subgrade.

If you have worms, you must have moisture and loose soil around the footings.

Fill it at you choice, but most are never filled.

Dick

wyx2000

Thanks.
It is a three years old house. I see thin strand like worms(not earthworm) under cover of cupboard around the walls, some say they are from the door, I am not sure, but the basement is pretty dry, not damp at all.
I bought a can of quckrete grey concrete crack seal, like below, are you saying it is not suit for to use to fill here? any product you can suggest?

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...1#.UHx8rcVJNDQ

wyx2000

Any more suggestion?
thanks