How-to Guide

Instruction guide and tips for repairing concrete surfaces using Sakrete top'n bond

How to Repair Concrete Surfaces

Concrete Sufaces that are deteriorating, damaged and uneven, may pose serious safety hazards. Also, if neglected, the entire structure may need replacing. Sakrete offers two concrete products to facilitate repairs, SAKRETE fast-patch or SAKRETE top'n bond.

SAKRETE top'n bond is a polymer modified, pre-blended, ready-to-use, cernent mixture with superior bonding, specifically designed for repairing concrete quickly and easily. Forms a bond that is 8 to 10 times stronger than that of regular cernent mix. Use for concrete repairs from a feather-edge up to 1.25 cm (1/2 inch) thick. Open to light foot traffic in 12 to 24 hours, and heavy traffic after 48 hours. Just add water.

Uses

This product is ideal for repairing, smoothing or resurfacing concrete slabs, driveways, sidewalks, steps, walls or any worn, chipped or spalled concrete surface.

lt may also be used for setting dense surfaced stone, marble or slate, and as a setting bed for quarry tile, flagstone, brick or patio block units

PROCEDURES: Mix and substrate temperatures should be maintained between 5 °C (40 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F) for at least 24 hours prior to and 48 hours after.

STEP 1: Surface Preparation: Surfaces to be repaired must be structurally sound and clean. Remove all delaminated or unsound concrete by chipping with a hammer and chisel, or by using a stiff wire brush. Clean the area to be repaired with potable water, leaving the concrete saturated but free of standing water. Some very porous concretes may require several applications of water to ensure complete saturation. 

STEP 2: Mixing: Empty contents into mixing container. Add approximately 140 ml (4.75 oz) of clean water per 1 KG (2.2 lb) or enough to achieve a workable mix. Mix only the amount that can be used in 30 minutes. Avoid a soupy mix. Excess water reduces strength and durability and can cause cracking. ln cold weather, use warm water to accelerate the set. ln hot weather, use cold water to slow the set. NOTE: Concrete bonding agents are not recommended with SAKRETE top'nbond.

STEP 3: Placing:  Shallow repairs up to 1.25 cm (1/2 inch): After mixing, trowel in a thin layer to the prepared dampened surface, forcing mix into the pores of the old concrete. Then, immediately spread more material to the required thickness, and level off. Deep repairs, exceeding 1.25 cm (1/2 inch): After leveling off the initial layer at 1.25 cm (1/2 inch), rough-up the surface with a coarse broom and allow to harden for 24 hours.Repeat the process until the desired thickness is reached.

STEP 4: Finishing: Level off the repair at the desired thickness and finish smooth with a dampened trowel. For a textured surface, use a broom or brush.

STEP 5: Curing: Curing means maintaining proper moisture and temperature. Because of high water retention properties, SAKRETE top'n bond requires no special curing under normal conditions. When exposed to high heat or direct, hot sunlight, cover the patched area with a plastic sheet for 24 hours. Do not wet the surface with water after troweling operation has been completed. Substrate temperatures should be maintained between 5 °C (40 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F) for at least 24 hours prior to and 48 hours after.

How-to Video

Tips for repairing concrete surfaces with SAKRETE top'n bond:
  1. Apply to a damp surface.
  2. Applications should not exceed 10 mm (3/8 inches) in thickness.
  3. Cure after applying by keeping damp for 72 hours.
  4. Use proper safety equipment (i.e. safety glasses, gloves, etc.).