Concrete Rescue

Solutions
Master Builders Solutions
Concrete rescue solutions

Plastic shrinkage cracking Repairing damaged surfaces

CAUSE: Plastic shrinkage cracking generally REQUIREMENT: Quick setting repair mortar for
occurs in conditions favourable to high concrete with damaged edges or corners and/
evaporation of the surface moisture present or for filling honeycombs, cracks, bug holes
in plastic concrete, including high winds, and gouges. The mortar must be fine enough to
high temperatures and low humidity. Due to the fact that enable thin-layer patching, whilst also having the ability to be
in its semi-fluid state, concrete is unevenly restrained by feather-edged.
edge formwork, ground friction, reinforcement and other
penetrations, the volume change caused by the loss of water SOLUTION: MasterEmaco® N 5200CI is a
results in cracks in the weaker points of the concrete’s micro ready-to-use, quick setting repair and anchoring
structure. mortar, based on selected cements, high-
grade quartz sands and synthetic resins.
MasterEmaco® N 5200CI contains no chlorides or other salts
PREVENTION: Plastic shrinkage cracking that may cause corrosion or efflorescence (blooming).
can be reduced - particularly during extremely
hot and/or windy conditions - through the OTHER RELATED PRODUCTS
application of an evaporative retardant such as • MasterTop® 510 - cementitious self-levelling mortar
MasterKure® 111, which when sprayed onto wet concrete • MasterEmaco® S 5400CI - high strength repair mortar
surfaces, creates a protective film that helps to reduce
• MasterEmaco® N 5100 - polymer modified fairing mortar
surface moisture evaporation and aids in finishing. Exposed
• MasterEmaco® T 920 - shrinkage compensated micro concrete
concrete surfaces should be cured using a curing agent such
as MasterKure® 250 immediately following final trowelling, • MasterEmaco® T 288 - trafficable fast set mortar
thereby further reducing the loss of moisture. • MasterEmaco® T 545 - superfast strength gain trafficable mortar

The ability of concrete to resist plastic shrinkage cracking

can also be significantly improved through the addition of
MasterFiber® polypropylene fibres. MasterFiber® fibres will
also deliver significant improvements in the performance of
both plastic and hardened concrete.

REPAIR: Once the concrete has hardened, little

can be done. If the cracks are small, it may be
best to tolerate them. However, if the cracks
are 2mm or greater, and there is concern over
watertightness or protection of the reinforcing steel, remedial
measures should be taken. If the area has low traffic, a
coating of MasterEmaco® N 5100 will fill the cracks and
create a wearing surface. In high traffic areas, coating with
MasterTop® 1080 or MasterTop® 1260 may be considered.

Hardening and sealing concrete surfaces

REQUIREMENT: Treatment to impart greater
concrete surface density which, in turn,
provides increased durability, resistance
to abrasion, and increased resistance to
penetration by oil and grease.

SOLUTION: MasterTop® 333 is a deep-

penetrating silicate solution which converts
available free lime into more cementitious
binder, thereby hardening and sealing the floor
in the process.
MasterTop® TC 471 is a low viscosity, two-pack, UV resistant
polyurethane resin coating which can be applied both
internally and externally.

MasterTop® 1260 is a low viscosity, polyaspartic, fast

cure, two pack coating. Its fast cure properties allow the
application of two coats on one day and return to service
the next day.
Bug Holes in off-Form concrete Concrete surface dusting
CAUSE: Entrapped air bubbles which fail to rise CAUSE: Concrete surface dusting is generally a
to the surface - particularly in low water:cement result of weak cement hydration caused by too
ratio concretes - will appear as ‘bug holes’ on much surface water (eg. rain induced or over-
the surface of the off-form concrete. trowelling) and exposure to high evaporative
conditions where not enough moisture is retained at the
PREVENTION: Surface imperfections in surface due to poor curing practices.
precast, prestressed and/or poured in situ
concrete can be significantly reduced or PREVENTION: Concrete surface dusting can
eliminated through the use of MasterFinish® 211, be prevented in both internal and external works
a ready-to-use, water-based, non-toxic surface consolidation by ensuring good curing practices, including
agent. MasterFinish® 211 provides easy and complete the use of MasterKure® curing compounds,
release when applied to most types of form and/or form liner. wet hessian or plastic. MasterKure® 111 will also assist
in finishing and reducing evaporation that leads to rapid
moisture loss during finishing.
REPAIR: Surface repairs can be made with
MasterEmaco® N 5100, a concrete-grey, REPAIR: Repairs can be made using
ready-to-use mortar, based on hydraulic MasterTop® 333, a deep-penetrating silicate
binders and high-grade quartz sands, modified solution which has been specifically developed
with synthetic polymers. MasterEmaco® N 5100 contains for sealing and dust-proofing powdery and/or
no chlorides or other salts that may cause corrosion or friable concrete and masonry surfaces.
efflorescence (blooming).
Exposed aggregate problems
CAUSE: Problems associated with exposed
aggregate are generally caused by uncontrolled
concrete setting times, which can lead to
poorly exposed aggregate, insecure exposed
aggregate and inconsistency of texture.

PREVENTION: These issues can be prevented

through the use of a water-based chemical
retarder such as MasterFinish® 380.

Specifically developed to overcome the issues

Rain damaged surfaces that can be associated with uncontrolled concrete setting
times, MasterFinish® 380 delays the setting of the mortar
REQUIREMENT: Easily applied cementitious paste on the surface to a controlled depth, without adversely
repair topping to restore the finish of a damaged affecting the setting of the main concrete.
slab surface.
The chemically retarded mortar paste may be removed by
washing or brushing within a 24 hour period after the set of
SOLUTION: Internal floors - MasterTop® 510 is
the concrete to expose the aggregate.
an economical self-levelling, poured-in-place,
cementitious, non-structural floor topping,
which has been specifically developed for
use of poured in situ or precast concrete floors which will
be subsequently covered by a suitable floor covering.
MasterTop® 510 delivers a fast-setting level and flat surface,
whilst still providing maximum available flow time.

SOLUTION: Garage floors, driveways and

patios - MasterEmaco® N 5100 is a polymer
modified fairing mortar which develops high
early and ultimate strengths. MasterEmaco®
N5100 is chloride-free, shrinkage compensated and supplied
ready-to-use.

SOLUTION: Further options - Lightly grind the

concrete with a grinder, and apply a MasterTop®
epoxy system such as MasterTop® 1260.
 Master Builders Solutions
Concrete rescue solutions

Adhesion of toppings
CAUSE: For two surfaces to bond together, the
conditions for adhesion must be right. Generally
speaking, the joint should be stronger than
the surrounding area, however, under certain
conditions, the reverse can happen - resulting in a weak
bond that allows the two surfaces to separate.

PREVENTION: These problems can be

overcome in internal areas through the
use of a wet to dry bonding agent such as
MasterEmaco® P 157 - an acrylic-latex bonding
agent additive that allows the application of a bonding slurry
to a previously wetted surface. Alternately, MasterEmaco® 2525
permits application to both wet and dry surfaces - thereby
achieving a high joint strength in all circumstances.

REPAIR: For existing poorly bonded or

‘drummy’ concrete - where the work cannot
be removed - repairs may be possible through
crack injection with MasterInject® 1380.

Sealing concrete retaining walls

REQUIREMENT: Membrane to seal the soil side
of retaining walls and planter boxes. Constant
movement of water through the wall can create
efflorescence and destabilise the wall.

SOLUTION: Install a membrane on the soil side

of the wall or planter box. MasterSeal® 5200TIX
is a low VOC water based single pack fast
curing membrane that contains no bitumen.

MasterSeal® 5200TIX is applied to the primed surface with a

stiff brush or roller.

Waterproofing decks and podiums

REQUIREMENT: Concrete decks and
podiums often need waterproofing - even
while remaining an active substrate for things
such as car parking, pedestrian spaces and
landscaped areas.

SOLUTION: MasterSeal® Traffic Systems

have been specifically designed to cope with
the different needs of vehicular traffic and
pedestrian traffic.

Protecting sensitive areas below from water and root

ingress is important. Continuous membranes such as the
MasterSeal® range of polyurea / polyurethane membranes
can provide the critical protection needed - even in heavily
trafficked areas.
 Master Builders Solutions
Concrete rescue solutions

Master Builders Solutions

from BASF

Master Builders Solutions Our comprehensive portfolio

The Master Builders Solutions brand Solutions. We combine the right Concrete admixtures

brings all of BASF’s expertise together elements from our portfolio to solve Cement additives

to create chemical solutions for new your specific construction challenges. Chemical solutions for
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construction, maintenance, repair and We collaborate across areas of underground construction
renovation of structures. Master Builders expertise and regions and draw on Waterproofing solutions
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Solutions is built on the experience the experience gained from countless Sealants
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gained from more than a century in the construction projects world-wide. We Concrete repair and
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construction industry. leverage global BASF technologies, as protection solutions
well as our in-depth knowledge of local Performance grouts
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The know-how and experience of a building needs, to develop innovations Performance flooring solutions

global community of BASF construction that help make you more successful and
experts form the core of Master Builders drive sustainable construction.

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Master Builders Solutions from
BASF for the Construction Industry
MasterAir® MasterFlow® MasterPel® MasterSet®
Complete solutions for air Solutions for precision grouting Solutions for water tight Solutions for set control
entrained concrete concrete
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Solutions for concrete strengthening reinforced concrete Solutions for mid-range concrete workability retention
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Solutions for the manufactured Solutions for high performance Solutions for water-reduced Solutions for industrial and
concrete product industry concrete concrete commercial floors
MasterCem® MasterInject® MasterProtect® Master X-Seed®
Solutions for cement manufacture Solutions for concrete injection Solutions for concrete protection Advanced accelerator solutions
for concrete
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Low viscosity for high performance Solutions for concrete curing Solutions for high strength concrete Ucrete®
concrete Flooring solutions for harsh
MasterLife® MasterRoc® environments
MasterEmaco® Solutions for enhanced Solutions for underground
Solutions for concrete repair durability construction
MasterFinish® MasterMatrix® MasterSeal®
Solutions for formwork treatment Advanced rheology control for Solutions for waterproofing
and surface improvement concrete and sealing

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