Let’s Talk About Repair with Ronacrete

Let’s Talk About Repair with Ronacrete. It’s no secret, that concrete is one of the most consumed materials in the world. Concrete is all around us, and has been for thousands of years, but like anything, over time it begins to deteriorate. Whether it is due to environmental factors, chemical damage, or wear and tear; there are various reasons that concrete deteriorates.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, fortunately, with the right repair systems in place, we can restore the integrity of these structures and expand their lifespan. Think of it like a refresh, a boost to extend the longevity of the concrete.
We are going to discuss concrete repair solutions with Ronacrete, a world-renowned brand that provides high-performance, excellent quality products for professional applications.

Let’s see what the most common causes of concrete deterioration are:

Chemical Damage – Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (typically known as AAR), is a chemical reaction between hydroxyl ions in the pore solution and reactive silica in aggregates. The resulting can lead to significant cracking, known as map cracking. Whilst this is rare, it is an important issue to address.

Chlorides – Chloride induced corrosion happens when chloride concentrations exceed 0.2-0.4% by mass of cement. Common sources include de-icing salts. These chlorides break down the passive oxide layer on steel reinforcement, causing corrosion and weakening structure.

Carbonation: When C02 gas permeates concrete, it combines with water and reacts with calcium hydroxide in the concrete, reducing the pH level. This reduction in pH destabilises the passivating oxide layer on embedded steel reinforcement, leading to corrosion if moisture and oxygen are present.

It’s cliché, but it’s true, preparation is key. Effective surface preparation ensures that the repair mortar adheres properly and performs as expected.

Here are some pointers when it comes to how to do a concrete repair job:

Cleaning – Remove any loose debris, contaminants, or deteriorated material.
Concrete preparation – Saw cutting, mechanical breakers, needle gunning, grit blasting and hydro demolition are techniques used to remove damaged and deteriorated concrete and leave a surface suitable for repair.
Priming – Ronacrete provides a Standard Primer, which is an essential step for treating exposed steel reinforcement and prepared concrete before applying repair mortars.

Ronacrete have a variety of repair mortars that are designed for various applications. Choosing the correct one depends on the required compressive strength and repair conditions.

RonaBond HB25 – A 25 N/mm² mortar suitable for general repairs with an R2 classification.
RonaBond HB40 – A stronger, 35 N/mm² mortar for more demanding repairs (R3 classification).
RonaBond Concrete Repair Mortar – With a 50 N/mm² strength, this R4-rated mortar is ideal for structural repairs requiring high strength.

Let’s Talk About Repair with Ronacrete. For all repairs, Ronacrete’s Curing Membrane or polythene sheeting is recommended to ensure proper curing.

Surfacing Levelling Mortars

For damaged surfaces that require a smooth, even finish, levelling mortars are essential. Ronacrete offers options such as RonaBond EasySkim FC, a surface levelling mortar that can be applied as a thin 1-3mm levelling coat, and RonaBond Concrete Cover Elastic, which provides increased equivalent concrete cover to reinforcement, improving protection from CO2 diffusion.

Long Term Protection and Preventing Further Damage

Ronacrete not only provides solutions to repair damaged concrete but also offers products that can protect concrete from future deterioration.

RonaBond MCI (Migratory Corrosion Inhibitor): This liquid, which is applied by spray, roller, or brush, creates a protective layer around embedded steel reinforcement, offering long-term protection – particularly important for structures exposed to harsh conditions such as highways or marine environments.
Anti-Carbonation Coatings: Ronacrete’s RonaBond Anti-Carbonation Coating WB (Water-Based) system consists of two coats, designed to reduce CO2 penetration and prevent future corrosion. There’s also Ronabond Crack Bridging Anti-Carbonation Coating WB which can accommodate live crack movement.

Rapid Floor Repair Mortars: Minimal Downtime

For those in industries needing fast repairs, Ronacrete’s rapid set floor repair mortars are the ideal option. Whether it’s the RonaFloor Repair 1 Hour or RonaScreed Mortar, these ultra-rapid repair systems allow concrete floors to be put back into service in as little as one hour, with light vehicle traffic possible after just two hours.
RonaFloor KSF is another quick-setting option, ideal for smaller patch repairs and requiring no primer.

Specialised Epoxy Floor Repair & Screeds

For industrial environments where durability and chemical resistance are paramount, Ronacrete’s epoxy-based repair systems provide the necessary strength and resistance.

RonaFloor Epoxy Floor Mortar: A high-performance three-component epoxy resin mortar, offering excellent chemical resistance and suitable for heavy-duty floors, with a quick curing time and application range from 5mm to 50mm.

Ronacrete provides excellent concrete repair solutions designed to restore the integrity of your concrete structures and protect it in the long term.