Almost every concrete crack repair project requires that some cracks be repaired or treated before the work begins. While no crack is ever going to completely be fixable, SCT – encapsulated Concrete Repair – is a great product to help treat or prevent those cracks while your concrete repair work is in progress. This article will explain what this product is and why it is an important part of most concrete repair jobs.
What exactly is SCT? Concrete Repair Concrete Conditioner, as this product is more commonly known, is a penetrating resin-coated aggregate that is injected into pre-existing cracks. By doing so, the process of creating voids, weak points, and other imperfections in the surface of your concrete can be avoided. It is a highly effective solution for treating small cracks, broken pieces, and similar damage to concrete, and in many cases, can be used right in the cracks to plug them and then allow the concrete to cure naturally over time. Concrete Repair Concrete Conditioner does not provide any type of reinforcement, such as epoxy concrete crack repair glue, in the cracks it forms.
Why would you want to use this product, then? Some people use SCT on newly cracked surfaces to fill in small voids – for example, if you have random cracks in your sidewalk, you might put down a layer of SCT and let it set overnight, scrub it off in the morning, and apply another layer of SCT in the crack to make it appear more uniform and/or to fill in a void. Many professionals also recommend SCT as a surface preparation before applying various types of sealants. Since SCT is a penetrating agent, it penetrates into cracks and other porous surfaces, creating a protective barrier that limits the penetration of chemical and acidic substances into the underlying material, and provides a smooth surface as a result. This method of crack repair provides an easy, non-invasive way to repair small cracks, which saves you time, effort, and money – it also prevents further cracking from occurring, and reduces the risk of structural damage to your building and property.
Concrete Repair Concrete Conditioner is not a concrete repair material. Instead, it provides a thin, clear topcoat to make it look better, even as it repairs itself, and helps to prevent cracking once it has occurred. If the crack is small, a thin layer of Concrete Repair Concrete Conditioner is enough to stop further damage.
Over time, Concrete Repair Concrete Conditioner can be used to address larger cracks in Concrete Floors. In most cases, large concrete cracks will need to be filled with a crack filler. However, some older, more dilapidated buildings may not require this. In these cases, a penetrating agent can be used to fill the crack. This process seals the crack, stopping further water penetration and providing a smooth surface.
Concrete Crack Repair can also be done to repair cracked or pitted concrete surfaces. Some types of pavement designs, such as diamond patterns, are susceptible to pits, especially where there is heavy traffic or other weathering problems. In these cases, a high-quality Concrete Restorating Agent can be used on the surface, to create a smooth, textured surface, that is attractive as well as functional. As Concrete Restorations don’t compromise the look of the street, they are a cost effective solution to improving aesthetics of neglected or otherwise damaged areas.
