Not sure which concrete glue to choose, or how to use it? We’re here to help. This guide covers the different types of concrete adhesive and recommends the best products for your project.
As you may know, concrete is made up of cement, aggregate and water. It’s a tough, incredibly useful material that you’ll find literally everywhere. In fact, after water, concrete is the most used substance in the world.
When it comes to bonding, however, don’t assume that any glue will do. It’s essential to choose an adhesive that’s compatible with the materials you’re working with.
There are several different types of adhesives that work well for concrete, even though they’re not necessarily labelled as concrete adhesives on the packaging. In the following sections we’ll help you to select the best one for your project. From small fixes to heavy duty repairs, you’ll find a Pattex concrete glue that gets the job done.
The method of application depends on your product. In this section we’ll cover the general steps for applying concrete glue, but always check the manufacturer’s instructions for your chosen adhesive before getting started.
If you’re using epoxy as a concrete adhesive, you’ll usually need to apply the adhesive using the syringes (part of the product packaging). Alternatively, some epoxies come in simple tubes.
Here’s how to use epoxy:
- Open the container and cut the tips of the syringes if necessary.
- Mix the epoxy according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Apply the epoxy to both surfaces.
- Press the surfaces together and wait for the epoxy to cure.
Epoxy creates high strength bonds, so it’s perfect for attaching concrete to other tough surfaces like metal, glass, or wood.
If your concrete glue comes in a cartridge, you’ll need a caulking gun for application.
These are the steps for using a cartridge of concrete glue:
- Load the caulking gun.
- Prepare the cartridge, cutting the end of the nozzle to the desired size.
- Apply the concrete adhesive about 2 inches away from the edge of one of the surfaces, all the way round.
- Press the surfaces together and wait for the adhesive to cure.
Before you pick a concrete adhesive, think carefully about your project. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Is it a small repair or a large-scale job?
- What materials are you working with?
- Does the adhesive need to be waterproof, or have other specific qualities?
These are our general tips for choosing a concrete glue, depending on the scale of the project.
- Small jobs: For simple jobs such as filling in a gap or bonding two small pieces together, we recommend using a strong all-purpose glue like Pattex Extreme Repair All Purpose Glue. Just make sure the packaging mentions compatibility with concrete, and preferably qualities such as flexibility and fast setting.
- Medium jobs: For something in the middle, use a construction glue for concrete like Pattex No More Nails Strong & Easy Construction Adhesive. It offers instant tack, strong bonding, is solvent-free, gap-filling up to 10 mm, and overpaintable once dry.
- Big jobs: For heavy duty work, pick a heavy-duty construction adhesive for concrete blocks. It should be extremely strong, suitable for exterior use, and able to withstand pressure and harsh weather conditions.
With the right concrete glue you can tackle your project with confidence, knowing that you can achieve long-lasting results.
Share your own projects
