While seemingly impervious to the elements, concrete is quite vulnerable to the environment. Water, temperature changes and earthquakes can all cause concrete damage. Repairing damaged concrete and performing concrete crack repair in a timely manner can greatly extend the life of your concrete structures. The simplest and fastest method for concrete repair is to use polyurethane concrete repair materials.

Moisture is a major enemy of concrete. It can weaken concrete, make it crack and cause deterioration of any concrete structure. Moisture can stain and also cause fungus that is nearly impossible to remove and can devastate the property value. Interior concrete waterproofing can help prevent moisture damage of this type. Moisture in a colder climate can cause additional damage as it enters damaged concrete and freezes. As the water freezes and expands it will widen the cracks.

If your structure has a cellar, make sure it has a system to turn surface water away. It should have concrete two to three feet in width all the way around the house with a slope away from the house. This will encourage water to flow away from your home and help prevent seepage. This concrete should be free from cracks or damaged concrete. Concrete Welder in cartridges can be used for small cracks and FlexSet can be used to fill larger cracks.

Check the area where the sidewalk abuts  the wall of your home. Ensure that this is sealed so that there is no gap that water can seep through. Concrete Welder can be applied so that it slopes up from the sidewalk to the home wall to encourage the water the roll away from the home.

Earthquakes cannot be anticipated but in some states they can be expected. Cracks and damaged concrete only leave your structure more vulnerable in the event of an earthquake. Besides preventing damaged concrete from growing, filling in cracks and damaged concrete will help stabilize the concrete should an earthquake occur.  Bracing un-reinforced chimneys, masonry and concrete walls and foundations can help prevent major damage.

For small cracks, use Concrete Welder in cartridges and for more extensive concrete repairs, use FlexSet. To get started, here are the tools needed:

For concrete crack repairs:
* Concrete Welder cartridge
* dual-cartridge gun
* A broom or blower
* Scraper or straight-edge

For damaged concrete
* FlexSet kit
* A push broom or blower
* Drill
* Egg-beater style mixer
* Trowel or Lute

First ensure that the damaged concrete area is clean and dry. Sweep or blow out cracks so there is no loose debris. When using FlexSet concrete crack repair product, carefully pour contents of bottle “a” into the provided 5-gallon bucket then add special coated sand. Next, shake thoroughly and pour bottle “b” into sand mixture. Mix with a paddle-mixer, using a drill. When mixture is completely wet, pour FlexSet onto damaged concrete floor and use a trowel or lute to smooth the material into cracks. When the damaged area becomes smooth, toss topping sand by hand over concrete repaired area to create a uniform look and feel. Your concrete repair area can be ready for use in about an hour.
Smaller or hairline cracks in your concrete floor can be filled simply using Concrete Welder, available in a cartridge format. Once the crack is clean and free of moisture, open cartridge and squeeze Concrete Welder directly into the crack. Use a scraper or straight-edge to smooth the material out. Sprinkle topping sand over repair. Wipe up any excess material and allow to dry for 30 minutes. Now the crack is filled and your concrete floor is ready for use.

FlexSet and Concrete Welder are  available for purchase through the Roklin web site at www.roklinsystems.com or call 1-888-FlexSet. Other asphalt & concrete repair materials are also available.

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