Repair cement is tough stuff, but it can crack over time. To maintain the integrity of your home’s concrete surfaces, it’s important to quickly repair any cracks that occur.

One common method for repairing concrete is to mix a bucket of water and a polymer-modified cement product together, then wipe it over the cracks with a trowel. This band-aid fix isn’t a long-term solution, but it’s adequate if the cracks are merely symptomatic of the maturation process and not caused by pressure or torque.

How to Repair Cement: Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to do a more thorough job of repairing concrete, a premixed compound that’s suitable for hairline cracks can be used. This material has a blend of Portland cement, sand and a bonding agent. To use it, prepare the damaged area by grinding the top and sides of the crack to a smooth surface and removing any loose concrete. The crack should be wide enough to be filled, but it shouldn’t have a width of more than 18”.

For more extensive repairs, you can also choose a concrete repair mortar that has a higher level of polymers. This is ideal for repairing concrete surfaces that are subject to a lot of water. UNIQUE offers a variety of solutions that are well-suited for these types of jobs, including POSTCRETE GROUT/WS, which is a high-performance mix designed to stop running water and withstand the effects of salt and other corrosion agents.

For narrow cracks that are deep in the concrete, you can use a foam backer rod to create a base to hold the repair material. Stuff the rod into the crack until it’s about half its diameter, then apply the repair mix.