Concrete Patch Repair: Choosing and Using a Patch Kit
Concrete patch repair means cleaning out the crack, choosing a patch that matches the depth, pressing it in, smoothing it and letting it set.
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A crack runs across the garage floor slab, wide enough to catch a shoe. Left alone it grows, and the edges crumble a little more with every season. Concrete patch repair means cleaning out the crack, choosing a patch that matches the depth, pressing it in, smoothing it level, and letting it set.
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Below: what a patch does, the repair, and what to check.
Concrete Crack Filler Heavy-Duty Dry Granular
Heavy-duty dry mortar kit, 3 lb, with quartz sand formula, scraper, brush and gloves.
Pros
- Mix ratio stated: 100:13-15 by weight
- Kit includes scraper, brush and gloves
- Smooth in 20 to 30 minutes, sets in 24 to 48 hours
- Lists driveways, patios, steps and garage floors
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No maximum fill depth is stated
- Mixing by weight needs measuring
- No color match beyond gray is stated
Rust-Oleum Concrete Saver Pro Structural Concrete
Fast-setting, cement-based structural patch, 3 lb, for holes up to 7 inches deep.
Pros
- Fills holes up to 7 inches deep in one application
- Stronger than the concrete being repaired once set, per the maker
- Can be shaped, molded and shaved down to form
- Fast setting, for interior and exterior use
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- No set time is stated
- No mix ratio is stated
- No tools are included
Red Devil 0645 Concrete Repair Patch
Pre-mixed concrete repair patch in a 5.5 oz squeeze tube, gray, for interior or exterior use.
Pros
- Pre-mixed: no mixing, no measuring
- Won't shrink or crack, per the listing
- Cleans up with soap and water
- Dries light to medium gray
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Only 5.5 oz, so it suits small cracks, not large holes
- No set time is stated
- No maximum depth is stated
Concrete Step Repair Adhesive
Heavy-duty step repair adhesive paste kit, 100g, 2PCS, for outdoor steps and edges.
Pros
- Made for steps, chipped edges and damaged areas
- Resists moisture, UV rays and freeze-thaw cycles, per the listing
- 2PCS in the kit for more than one repair
- Quick setting and fast solidification, per the listing
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- The listing does not state whether 100g is per piece or for the kit
- No set time in minutes or hours is stated
- No mix ratio or application tools are stated
Concrete patch repair: what the patch does and when it holds
A patch is a repair mortar or adhesive that fills the gap and bonds to the crack sides. It works when the crack is stable, the loose concrete is cleaned out, and the patch is pressed firmly in. It does not fix a slab that is still moving. Depth decides the product: the Rust-Oleum patch covers repairs over 1/8 inch in depth and holes up to 7 inches deep.
How to patch a concrete crack, step by step
- Clear the crack of dust, loose debris and weak concrete.
- Pick the patch by depth and size: a tube for small cracks, a 3 lb kit for holes.
- Mix only if the product needs it. The NGBNGB kit mixes at 100:13-15 by weight: 13-15 g of water per 100 g of powder, or about 2.1-2.4 oz per 1 lb. The Red Devil tube is pre-mixed.
- Press the patch firmly in and smooth it within 20 to 30 minutes, per the NGBNGB listing.
- Let it set for 24 to 48 hours, per the NGBNGB listing, and keep traffic off until then.
- Shape as needed: the Rust-Oleum patch can be shaped, molded and shaved down to form.
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Choosing the patch: tube, kit or bag
| Product | Form | Size | What it handles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Devil 0645 | Squeeze tube | 5.5 oz | Cracks and breaks |
| NGBNGB mortar repair kit | Dry mortar kit | 3 lb | Cracks, holes, corners, worn floors |
| enterlent step repair adhesive | Paste kit | 100g, 2PCS | Steps, chipped edges |
| Rust-Oleum Concrete Saver Pro | Cement-based patch | 3 lb | Holes up to 7 inches deep |
The gear: patch kits for the garage floor and steps
The patch itself does the filling step: it bridges the crack and bonds to the old concrete.
What to check before buying a patch kit
- Depth. The Rust-Oleum patch covers repairs over 1/8 inch in depth and holes up to 7 inches deep.
- Amount. A 5.5 oz tube suits small cracks; 3 lb kits suit larger holes.
- Set time. The NGBNGB kit needs 24 to 48 hours to fully set.
- Indoor or outdoor. The Red Devil tube, NGBNGB kit and Rust-Oleum bag list interior and exterior use.
- Color. The Red Devil patch dries light to medium gray; the other 3 list gray.
FAQ: garage tools
How deep can a concrete patch fill in one application?
The Rust-Oleum patch fills holes up to 7 inches deep in one application, and covers repairs over 1/8 inch in depth. The other 3 listings state no maximum depth.
How long does a concrete patch take to set?
The NGBNGB listing states to smooth within 20 to 30 minutes and allow 24 to 48 hours to set. The Rust-Oleum listing says fast setting and the enterlent listing says quick setting, with no time stated for either, and the Red Devil listing states no set time.
Can concrete patch be used indoors and outdoors?
Yes, for 3 of the 4 products here. The enterlent kit is listed for outdoor use.
Does a concrete patch need mixing before use?
It depends on the product. The Red Devil tube is pre-mixed. The NGBNGB kit mixes at 100:13-15 by weight. The Rust-Oleum and enterlent listings state no mix ratio.
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