4 Reasons to Fix a Concrete Crack with Polyurethane vs. Epoxy
Though they can be tempting to ignore, any concrete cracks on your property need to be repaired as soon as possible. By leaving them be, you're risking everything from water damage to further cracking, and these issues are only going to make repairs more expensive and time-consuming in the long run.
Luckily enough, concrete cracks can be repaired quickly and easily using polyurethane or epoxy injections, but which option is best? Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you're never going to find one right answer to fit all cases. That said, here are just four signs you're better off repairing a concrete crack with polyurethane injection rather than epoxy injection.
1. Moisture Is Likely to Be an Issue
One of the main benefits of polyurethane injection is that it can be used regardless of moisture. In contrast, epoxy only reacts well with dry areas. You should therefore choose polyurethane over epoxy if the crack is likely to contain moisture or may be subject to any excessive moisture in the future. Polyurethane will still form a strong bond under these conditions.
2. Previous Repairs Have Been Carried Out
Though epoxy can form very strong bonds, it isn't going to react well in all cases. For example, those dealing with a repair area that has been injected or otherwise repaired at an earlier date should avoid epoxy injections since the bonding process will no longer occur properly. Instead, you should go for polyurethane injections. The bonding reaction will still work even on previously repaired or patched cracks.
3. Time Is of the Essence
Epoxy injections do cure relatively quickly, but you'll still need to wait at least a few hours for the process to be complete. In contrast, polyurethane injections should cure in less than an hour under most conditions. It's such a simple process that trained professionals can carry out crack repairs very quickly, and the minimal setting time means you'll be able to use the area as before with very little downtime.
4. Flexibility Is Required
Epoxy is stronger than polyurethane, so it's great for foundation repairs and other applications where strength is required. However, polyurethane is far more flexible. That might not seem like a benefit, but it's a real advantage in areas that might be prone to movement. These are often referred to as 'active cracks' since their length, depth, or width may shift over time.
For more information about crack repair, contact a local contractor.