Concrete cracks, spalls, and structural damage each demand a different repair chemistry. Ardex builds a full range of repair mortars, each engineered for its specific job. We diagnose the repair type, select the matched Ardex product, apply the bonded-primer protocol, and deliver a repair that holds. Free assessment on every job.
Concrete repair is not a single operation. A hairline crack in a slab floor needs a flexible, flowable mortar that can penetrate and bond. A spalled edge on a wall needs a high-strength patch that won't sag under its own weight. A deep structural repair in a foundation needs a product engineered for load-bearing performance. Using one generic mortar for all three situations is why most repairs fail within a few years.
Ardex solves this by offering a complete system of repair mortars, each formulated for its specific application. We assess the repair, classify it by type and location, and install the product that matches. The bonded-primer protocol ensures the repair bonds permanently to the existing concrete. This discipline of matching product to situation is what separates a repair that holds from one that pops loose.
We evaluate the crack, spall, or structural damage, determine its location (horizontal, vertical, deep section), load profile, and environmental exposure. This assessment drives the product selection.
Prepare the concrete surface
The repair area is cleaned to Ardex specification, saw-cut to a clean edge where needed, and all loose material, dust, and contaminants are removed to expose sound concrete.
Apply bonded primer
The Ardex bonded primer is applied to the prepped substrate per manufacturer instructions. This primer is what creates the permanent bond between the repair mortar and the existing concrete.
Mix and place the mortar
The matched Ardex repair mortar is mixed to exact ratios, placed at the engineered thickness for that product, and finished to match the surrounding concrete texture and appearance.
Cure and handoff
The repair cures per Ardex schedule. Once cured, the area is cleaned, and you receive documentation of the system used and warranty information.
Why repairs fail
The Product-Match Discipline Matters
We regularly repair failed repairs where a contractor used a one-size-fits-all mortar on a repair that needed a specific Ardex product. The patch delaminated, the crack reopened, or the vertical repair sagged because the product was wrong for the situation. Ardex exists as a range precisely because no single mortar can handle every repair scenario.
The discipline is simple: diagnose the repair, match the product, follow the bonded-primer protocol, and install per spec. That's what makes the difference between a repair that lasts decades and one that fails in months. Integrate Ardex waterproofing systems when moisture is a factor, and coordinate with our broader brand specialty services across the full scope.
Product matching, bonded primer, vertical repair and warranty.
Different repair situations have different load profiles, set time requirements, and substrate conditions. A horizontal patch product placed vertically will sag; a fast-set product placed in a deep section will crack. Matching product to situation is what makes Ardex repairs hold.
Yes. The Ardex bonded primer is what makes the repair material bond permanently to the existing concrete. Skipping or substituting voids the system warranty and risks delamination.
Yes, with the Ardex vertical-repair product that has non-sag rheology. Using a horizontal product on vertical work is one of the most common failure patterns we see in non-Ardex-spec repairs.
Properly matched and installed Ardex repairs last decades. The bond is engineered to outlast the surrounding concrete in most service environments.
Close, not exact. Ardex repair mortars come in standard colors that approximate concrete gray; exact match to old or stained concrete is not achievable. We are honest about the visible difference up front.
Three failed previous repairs popped loose. They used the right Ardex product for vertical work with proper bonded primer; the new repair has held two years. Product match was the difference.
Z. U5
Property Manager, Pittsburgh
★★★★★
Structural repair on a deep slab section. They specced the Ardex deep-section product, not the standard mortar another contractor had suggested. Repair holds load, no cracking.
Y. U5
Facility Director, Aliquippa
★★★★★
Multiple repair situations across one project, each with the matched Ardex product. The discipline of product-per-situation showed in the result. All repairs holding.
Q. U5
Commercial GC, Monroeville
★★★★★
They were honest about color match limitations on the repair. Set the expectation properly, then matched as close as possible. No surprises at handoff.
X. U5
Warehouse Operations, Mckeesport
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Describe the repair situation (crack, spall, vertical, structural) and the surrounding context, and we will spec the matched Ardex product and quote in writing.
