Sika is considered to be the industry leader in concrete repair and protection. Many years of research and development plus decades of practical experience have enabled Sika to provide systems to restore and rehabilitate concrete structures that have deteriorated due to corrosion, structural damage, water infiltration, freeze/thaw, reactive aggregates, and others. Sika provides a full range of pure cement-based products, cementitious, polymer-modified repair mortars and epoxy-based repair materials for different repair works and specific requirements.
Main cause of concrete deterioration and benefits of restoring
Chemical degradation e.g. chemical exposure, alkali aggregate reactions, bacterial action
Corrosion of the reinforcement steel e.g. carbonation, chlorides, stray electrical current
Physical damage e.g. freeze/thaw action, thermal movements, shrinkage, abrasion, wear
Underlying contributors e.g. poor construction, design faults, lack of maintenance
Mechanical attack e.g. impact, overloading, movement, earthquake, explosion
Replace defective concrete
Restore structural integrity
Restore aesthetic appearance
Restore geometric appearance
Restore durability
Sika offers all types of products for concrete repair
Prolonging the life of concrete buildings and infrastructure through
repair and renovation assists in providing a sustainable solution to
building. Identifying the root cause of the concrete failure then
choosing a suitable rehabilitation strategy to avoid demolition and
reconstruction can significantly improve overall performance of a
building structure. Sika has a wide portfolio of products and systems to
solve many concrete repair needs.
The use of corrosion protection and bonding primers is often used to bond concrete repair mortars to existing cementitious or steel substrates for an additional layer of protection to reinforced steel, particularly for areas of low concrete cover and where chlorides are present. Exposed reinforcement steel bars should be properly prepared and protected with anti-corrosion slurry to boost the repair process.
Key advantages:
- Prevents further corrosion of steel reinforcement
- Promotes adhesion of the repair mortar on demanding substrates
Concrete repair mortars are designed to repair and restore concrete defects and structural integrity to increase durability and extend the structure’s longevity. Sika concrete repair mortars are suitable for restoration work, repair of spalling and damaged concrete in all types of structures including buildings, bridges, infrastructure and super-structures.
Key advantages:
- Repairs concrete defects
- Restores structural integrity and durability
- Improves structure appearance
- Restores or replaces the original profile and function of the damaged concrete
Sika pore fillers and levelling mortars is designed to repair minor defects such as repairing surface pores and honeycombed concrete. These Fillers and levelling mortars are used to fill surface pores to restore durability, aesthetic and geometric appearance.
Key advantages:
- Restores durability and aesthetics of structure
- Provides a secure surface for overcoating
Steel reinforcement corrosion in concrete is often caused by carbonation or chloride ingress with water. Evaluating the root cause of steel corrosion helps determine an effective repair and protection strategy. Sika’s full range of products to prevent any additional corrosion of steel reinforcement by appropriately protecting the concrete around it. Our corrosion management systems provide flexibility to select the most suitable solution for your projects’ needs.
Key advantages:
- Prevent ingress of water-dissolved contaminants
- Protect and prevent corrosion of steel bars in concrete
- Anti-carbonation or chemical resistance protection
- Long-term performance and durability
Concrete repair and protection products
Project references
Document library
Frequently asked questions
Concrete repair and protection involve restoring damaged concrete and addressing the causes of deterioration to help maintain a structure’s integrity, durability and appearance. Concrete repair may be required where concrete has been affected by reinforcement corrosion, water infiltration, chemical exposure, shrinkage, abrasion, physical damage or other deterioration.
Concrete protection helps reduce further deterioration by protecting reinforcement and concrete from factors such as water and dissolved contaminants. Sika Australia offers concrete repair solutions including repair mortars, corrosion protection systems, bonding primers, smoothing mortars and pore sealers, selected according to the condition and requirements of the structure.
Choosing the right repair mortar starts with identifying the cause and extent of the concrete damage, along with the repair requirements of the structure. For structural repair, consider whether the concrete has deteriorated due to reinforcement corrosion, water infiltration, physical damage, chemical exposure or other underlying causes. The repair material should be suitable for the substrate and the specific repair application.
Sika repair mortars include cement-based, cementitious, polymer-modified and epoxy-based materials for different concrete repair requirements. Where reinforcement is exposed, appropriate corrosion protection and bonding preparation may also be required before applying the repair mortar.
Repair mortar is used to restore damaged concrete and, where required, structural integrity, while smoothing mortar is intended for minor surface defects. Repair mortars can address defective, spalled or damaged concrete and help restore the original profile, function and durability of the concrete.
By comparison, smoothing mortars and pore fillers are used for issues such as surface pores and honeycombed concrete. They help improve the durability, aesthetic and geometric appearance of the surface and can provide a suitable surface for overcoating. The appropriate choice within Sika repair products depends on the extent and type of concrete defect and the required repair outcome.
Yes, Sika concrete repair systems are suitable for bridge repair work. Sika Australia’s concrete repair mortars are designed for restoration, repair of spalling and damaged concrete across different structures, including bridges, infrastructure and super-structures. They can help repair concrete defects and restore structural integrity and durability.
For bridge concrete repair, the appropriate repair strategy depends on the cause and extent of deterioration. Factors such as reinforcement corrosion, water infiltration, physical damage and chemical degradation should be assessed when selecting the repair system. Where reinforcement is exposed, corrosion protection and bonding preparation may also form part of the repair approach.
For tunnel concrete repair, the appropriate products depend on the type and extent of concrete deterioration and the required repair outcome. Sika repair mortars include cement-based, cementitious and polymer-modified materials, as well as epoxy-based repair materials, providing options for different concrete repair requirements.
For tunnel repair, the cause of deterioration should first be identified. Damage may result from corrosion, water infiltration, chemical exposure, physical damage or other underlying factors. Where reinforcement is exposed, corrosion protection and bonding primers may be required before applying a repair mortar. Sika Australia also offers smoothing mortars and pore fillers for minor surface defects.
Yes, Sika concrete repair systems can be used for building façade repair, where the repair requirements are appropriate. Sika Australia’s concrete repair mortars are designed to repair damaged and spalled concrete, restore structural integrity and durability, and improve the appearance of concrete structures.
For façade concrete repair, the cause of deterioration should be identified before selecting the repair approach. Potential causes include reinforcement corrosion, water infiltration, physical damage and chemical degradation. Smoothing mortars and pore fillers may also be suitable for minor surface defects such as pores and honeycombing, helping restore the façade’s aesthetic and geometric appearance.
Protecting reinforced concrete from corrosion starts with identifying the cause of reinforcement deterioration and selecting an appropriate repair and protection strategy. Sika Australia recommends corrosion protection and bonding primers where required to bond repair mortars to existing cementitious or steel substrates, particularly where reinforcement has low concrete cover or chlorides are present. Exposed reinforcement should be properly prepared and protected with an anti-corrosion slurry.
As part of concrete repair, suitable Sika concrete repair products can help protect reinforcement and restore damaged concrete. Protection systems can also help prevent the ingress of water-dissolved contaminants and provide anti-carbonation or chemical resistance protection.
The main difference is the material type and the repair application each is intended to address. An epoxy adhesive is one of the epoxy-based repair materials available for specific concrete repair requirements, while cement-based materials include pure cement-based and cementitious repair products.
For structural bonding, the suitable material depends on the substrate, repair requirements and condition of the concrete. Sika Australia provides different repair materials for specific applications rather than treating one adhesive type as suitable for every repair. Corrosion protection and bonding primers may also be used to bond repair mortars to existing cementitious or steel substrates where required.
Yes, a self levelling concrete floor product can be used to repair uneven concrete floors in many situations. Sika Australia offers Sikafloor® Level TOP, a high-flowing self levelling concrete underlayment designed to level uneven concrete substrates before floor coverings are installed. It can be laid from 1 mm to 30 mm in a single application, making it suitable for concrete floor repair where the substrate requires smoothing.
For uneven concrete floor conditions, the product must be compatible with the substrate and the intended floor finish. Sikafloor® Level Ultra is a fibre-reinforced option that can be applied from 1 mm to 50 mm and is suitable for interior and exterior concrete substrates. Substrate preparation and priming remain essential before application.
Repairing waterproofing cracks in concrete requires identifying the cause and selecting an appropriate injection system. Sika Australia offers injection resin solutions including Sika® Injection-306, a polyacrylic elastic resin for permanent watertight sealing of water-bearing cracks. Sika® Injection-111 is a hydrophobic semi-flexible polyurethane grout designed to stop active water flow in cracks and joints.
For cracks where movement is a factor, Sika® Injection-222 is a hydrophilic flexible polyurethane grout that reacts with water to form a permanently flexible seal. A flexible sealant may also be considered for certain joint applications, but the appropriate system depends on crack width, water pressure and whether structural bonding is required.