by pgesystems
Useful Concrete Repair Ideas
7:14 am in Concrete by pgesystems
Proper planning is essential for the successful repair of concrete. Proper preparation of the area that needs to be restored is essential for the success of the job. When doing concrete restoration always make sure there are no tapered edges and that you wet the cracked surface. The most common form of concrete restoration is repairing a crack or hole in either the sidewalk or driveway.
When working with a hole with tapered edges be aware that this can make your patch less durable. A tapered edge will give you a thin layer of patch that will peel away over time. Often it is best to use a chisel or saw with a masonry blade to improve these edges prior to patching. You do not want any areas where the patch will be too thin. Always carefully follow the instructions for the patching compounds. Most of the time the proper consistency for patching compound is like thick gravy.
You should mix only as much compound as can be used within twenty minutes. If you are using water based compound without a bonding agent the surface will need to be moistened before you apply the compound. You will want to read and follow the directions of any bonding agent you use.
When you have a deep hole think about adding steel pieces into the hole for reinforcement. This will help keep your patch in place. The steel pieces should be half an inch under the top of the patch. You can finish the patched area by using a finishing tool. It is a good idea to let the patch stiffen up before you finish it. You will then need to cover the area with plastic and put bricks or rocks on the edges to keep it in place for at least three days. You do not want the patching compound to dry out too fast so do not make repairs in hot sunny weather. A concrete repair tip: repairs are best made in cloudy and damp weather. Avoid making repairs during freezing temperatures.
