Concrete repair mortars come in different formulas to meet specific job needs. Picking the right mortar is key to making sure the repair lasts and works well.
In this post, we’ll explore SpecChem’s top repair mortars—Duo Patch, Final Finish, RepCon® 928, RepCon® V/O, SpecPatch, and Total Patch, their specific uses and how to choose the right one for your project.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the top repair mortars by SpecChem, their strengths, and ideal applications:
Repair Mortars Product Selection
| Product | Setting Time | Compressive Strength | Application Methods | Primary Use Case | Surface Preparation | Bonding Requirements | Corrosion Inhibitor | Freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duo Patch | Initial Set: 10-15 min | 6000-7000 psi | Pumpable, Flowable | General Repairs | Saturated-Surface-Damp | Scrub Coat Required | No | Good Freeze-Thaw Resistance |
| Final Finish | N/A | 1500 psi (For Thin Cosmetic Repairs Only) | Hand-applied | Cosmetic Repairs | Clean, Dry Surface | Bonding Agent Recommended | No | Not Suitable for Heavy Traffic Areas |
| RepCon® 928 | Initial Set: 30 min | 3200 psi (3 hrs), 9625 psi (28 days) | Hand-applied, Trowel | High-Traffic Repairs | Saturated-Surface-Damp | Scrub Coat Required | Yes | 99% Durability Factor After 300 Cycles |
| RepCon® V/O | Initial Set: 20-30 min | 7450 psi (28 days) | Hand-applied, Spray Applied | Vertical/Overhead Repairs | Saturated-Surface-Damp | Scrub Coat Required | Yes | Excellent |
| SpecPatch | Varies: 5, 15, 30 min | Varies with Set Time | Hand-applied, Trowel | General Repairs | Clean, Dry Surface | Bonding Agent Recommended | No | Good |
| Total Patch | Initial Set: 12 min | 3500 psi (1 hr) | Hand-applied, Trowel | Rapid Highway Repairs | Saturated-Surface-Damp | Scrub Coat Required | No | Good Freeze-Thaw Resistance |
Duo Patch
Duo Patch is a strong, all-around repair mortar good for many types of repairs.
Key Benefits
- Easy to Use: It flows well, similar to an underlayment.
- High Strength: Reaches 6000 to 7000 psi.
- Natural Finish: Dries to a concrete gray, blending in seamlessly.
Applications
- General Repairs: Great for all kinds of horizontal repairs like floors, driveways, and parking lots.
- High-Traffic Areas: Used in places like Google parking garages.
Final Finish
Final Finish is a special resurfacing product made of specialty cements and polymers. It has an ultra-smooth, buttery finish, can pick up fine textures, and is designed for aesthetics rather than heavy-duty performance.
Key Benefits
- Ultra-Fine Finish: Can pick up small details like wood grain.
- Versatile: Good for thin cosmetic repairs, but needs a protective layer for heavy traffic.
Applications
- Cosmetic Repairs: Perfect for detailed and aesthetic improvements.
- Low Traffic Areas: Best for non-load bearing surfaces such as decorative columns or facades.
RepCon® 928
RepCon® 928 is a fast-setting, polymer-modified concrete repair mortar with fibers and a corrosion inhibitor. It’s great for quick fixes that need early traffic resumption.
Key Benefits
- Fast Setting: Ready for foot traffic in one hour and heavy traffic in three hours.
- High Strength: 3200 psi in three hours, up to 9625 psi in 28 days.
- Versatile: Works for both horizontal and formed vertical applications.
- Durable: Excellent freeze-thaw durability, with a 99% durability factor after 300 cycles.
Applications
- Concrete Pavements and Bridge Decks: Quick fixes in high-traffic areas.
- Parking Decks and Warehouses: Perfect for warehouses and large commercial spaces that can’t afford downtime.
RepCon® V/O
RepCon® V/O is for vertical and overhead repairs. It’s a polymer-modified, fiber-reinforced mortar with a corrosion inhibitor.
Key Benefits
- User-Friendly: Can be hand or spray-applied.
- High Strength: 7450 psi in 28 days.
- Durable: Great for infrastructure and commercial jobs.
Applications
- Vertical and Overhead Repairs: Perfect for walls, columns, and ceilings.
- Tough Jobs: Ideal for DOT and infrastructure projects.
SpecPatch
SpecPatch is the most versatile, repair mortar and is available in formulations with set times of 5, 15, and 30 minutes. It’s designed for various concrete repairs.
Key Benefits
- Versatility: Great for both vertical and horizontal repairs.
- Strength & Durability: Sticks well and lasts long.
Applications
- Interior and Exterior Repairs: Covers a wide range of repairs.
- General Purpose: SpecPatch 30 is perfect for all-around use.
Total Patch
Total Patch is a very rapid-setting repair mortar for high early strength applications. It meets ASTM C928 standards.
Key Benefits
- Ultra-Rapid Setting: Initial set in 12 minutes, final in 15 minutes.
- High Early Strength: 3500 psi in one hour.
- User-Friendly: Easy-to-use flowable consistency for various methods.
Applications
- Highway Pavements and Floors: Quick return to service.
- Vertical and Horizontal Repairs: Works well for both.
Choosing the Right Product
Project Specifics
- Horizontal Repairs
- All Applications: SpecPatch is the go-to choice for general repairs.
- Small Repairs: SpecPatch 15 fits minor repair needs.
- Rapid Setting for Depths of ¼” – 6”: RepCon® ® 928 is best.
- Vertical/Overhead Repairs
- Depths 1/8” – 2”: RepCon® V/O is suitable.
- Thin Repairs (0 – 1/8”) without Vehicular Traffic: Final Finish is ideal.
Key Questions to Ask
Here are some key questions to help pick the right repair mortar:
- Is the repair horizontal, vertical, or overhead?
- For horizontal repairs, Duo Patch or RepCon® 928 work great.
- For vertical or overhead repairs, go for RepCon® V/O.
- How deep is the repair?
- Thin cosmetic repairs? Final Finish is perfect.
- For thicker applications (up to 6 inches), RepCon® 928 is the way to go.
- Will the repair mortar be trowel-applied, pumped, or sprayed?
- Duo Patch and RepCon® V/O are versatile and can be pumped. RepCon® V/O can also be spray-applied.
- RepCon® 928, SpecPatch, and Total Patch are usually trowel-applied.
- What are the strength, color, or spec requirements?
- Duo Patch: 6000-7000 psi, concrete gray finish.
- Final Finish: For thin cosmetic repairs with fine texture details.
- RepCon® 928: 3200 psi in three hours, up to 9625 psi in 28 days.
- RepCon® V/O: 7450 psi in 28 days.
- SpecPatch: Varies with set time.
- Total Patch: 3500 psi in one hour.
- How soon does the area need to be open to traffic?
- Total Patch is your go-to for rapid repairs that need to handle traffic quickly.
By knowing these key points and what your project needs, you can choose the best SpecChem mortar for the job.
Choosing the right repair mortar is key to the success of any concrete repair project. Whether you need fast-setting options for busy highways or ultra-smooth finishes for aesthetic repairs, SpecChem has a product that fits. If you’re ever unsure about which of our repair mortars to use, our expert sales team is ready to help.
