Quick verdict
A two-part epoxy paste in a 1.4 ounce dual syringe that fills cracks in concrete and anchors threaded rods, bolts and dowels into drilled holes, with a high-tack formula that holds in damp conditions and on vertical surfaces. It is the right product for setting a railing post base, a gate hinge or a patio umbrella anchor into concrete where a plastic anchor will not hold, and for sealing a crack before water gets in and freezes. The syringe size suits a few anchors or one crack; buy the cartridge for more.
Strengths
- Anchors bolts and rods in concrete far stronger than mechanical anchors
- Fills and seals cracks against water and frost
- High-tack paste stays put on vertical surfaces
- Works on damp concrete
- Dual syringe meters the two parts
Weaknesses
- Small 1.4 oz syringe does a few anchors only
- Epoxy has a working time; mix only what you will use
- Needs a clean, dust-free hole or crack to bond
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Fixing Things to Concrete That Stay Fixed
A railing post base screwed to a patio with plastic anchors is loose within a season. A crack in a slab that lets water in is a wider crack after one winter. Epoxy solves both. PC-Concrete is a two-part paste in a dual syringe that anchors rods and bolts into drilled holes and fills cracks, with a high-tack formula that holds on vertical surfaces and bonds to damp concrete.
This review is based on the maker’s specifications and on how two-part concrete epoxies are used in anchoring and repair generally. We have not used this product ourselves.
Anchoring
Drill the hole to the size and depth the fixing needs, then clean it completely: blow it out, brush it, blow it again. Dust is what makes epoxy anchors fail. Dispense and mix the two parts, fill the hole about two thirds, push the bolt or rod in with a twist so epoxy surrounds it fully, and leave it alone for the full cure. The result holds more than any mechanical anchor and does not crack the concrete around it. Railings, gate hinges, umbrella bases and shade sail anchors are the common patio jobs.
Crack Repair
Clean the crack, mix the paste and press it in with a putty knife until it is full, then tool it flush. The paste does not slump, so it stays in a vertical crack in a step or a wall. For cracks wider than a quarter inch, pack dry sand into the crack first or stir sand into the mix to bulk it. Sealed cracks stop taking water, which is what stops them growing.
Working With Epoxy
Two-part epoxies have a working time of minutes once mixed; dispense only what the job needs. Cure takes hours and slows in cold. Wear gloves. The syringe meters both parts evenly, which is the point of the format.
Quantity
A 1.4 ounce syringe sets a few anchors or fills a single crack. For a railing with six posts or a slab with several cracks, buy the larger cartridge and a gun.
Who Should Buy It
- Anyone fixing a railing, hinge or anchor to a concrete patio.
- Homeowners sealing a crack before winter.
- DIYers who have had plastic anchors pull out.
Common Owner Complaints
Running out mid-job and failed anchors from dusty holes. Buy enough; clean the hole properly.
Alternatives to Consider
Simpson SET-XP or Hilti HIT epoxy cartridges for structural and multi-anchor jobs. Wedge anchors for quick non-critical fixings. Polyurethane crack sealant for cracks that move.
Verdict
For fixing to concrete so it stays fixed, and for sealing a crack properly, this epoxy is the right chemistry in a convenient syringe. Clean the hole, mix what you need and leave it to cure.
Full specifications
PC Products 70086 PC-Concrete Two-Part Epoxy Adhesive Paste for Anchoring and Crack Repair, 1.4 oz Syringe FAQs
Drill the hole to the depth and diameter the bolt needs, blow and brush out all dust, fill the hole about two thirds with mixed epoxy, push the bolt in with a twist so epoxy surrounds it, and leave it undisturbed for the cure time before loading.
Clean the crack of loose material and dust, mix the epoxy, press it in with a putty knife until full and tool it flush. For wide cracks, pack sand into the mix or the crack first.
Epoxy anchors hold far more than wedge or sleeve anchors in the same hole and do not stress the concrete, which is why they are used for railings and structural fixings.
Cure slows in the cold. Keep the concrete above about 40 F or warm the area while it sets.
