Epoxy Cement Repair

Epoxy cement repair is a procedure in which epoxy (a polymer) is added to cement when cement repairs are undertaken so as to increase the strength and anti-stain properties of the cement. If you follow these directions and instructions carefully, you will find that you save a lot of money, effort and time when it comes to cement repair. In addition to that, the end result will be neat and the amount of waste produced will be minimized. You will be satisfied and the need for another repair job will be eliminated.

The Cement Repair Process

Hairline Cracks

The first thing that needs to be done is making a thick paste by mixing cement with water. Water should be applied to the hairline crack in order to moisten it for at least 4 hours before the paste is added. It is important to ensure that the surface is dry before the mixture is applied with a pointing trowel. Make sure that you apply enough force to force the mixture into the crack. The surface should then be leveled and evened out. This area should be left to dry for 2 hours after which a plastic sheet should be used to cover it. The plastic sheet should be lifted and water should be sprinkled for five days after which it should be removed.

Cement Repair in Sidewalks

If the crack in a sidewalk is larger in terms of width when compared to a hairline crack, it should first be increased with the help of a hammer and cold chisel. A technique known as undercutting should be used when doing so, which means that the bottom width should be greater than the width at the top. After that, the wire brush should be used for removing loose materials from the crack. A garden hose can also be used for this process. An acrylic resin adhesive should then be applied onto this area and left to dry. A pre-mixed or ready-mix concrete patch should then be applied onto this undercut area thoroughly. As was the case with repairing a hairline crack, the mixture should be smoothed out with the help of a trowel next. The area should be covered and left to dry after which it should be covered with a plastic sheet.

Cement Repair In a Concrete Driveway

This procedure is similar to the above mentioned process. The only difference is that since the driveway will be subjected to greater pressure, the area must be repaired with more force. A gravel mix should be used which can be prepared by mixing cement, gravel and sand. The crack should be undercut and cement repair adhesive should be applied. The consequent steps to be carried out are similar to that mentioned previously in the sidewalk cement repair section. The area will be covered for 5 days during which no vehicle should be allowed to go over it.

Since epoxy is stronger than concrete, it should be given greater preference as it will make the repaired area stronger.