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Installing Phoscrete for Vertical and Overhead Repairs

Phoscrete’s vertical and overhead repair formulas (F1-VO and F3-VO) are designed for easy, fast, and durable repairs to columns, beams, walls, ceilings, and other non-horizontal concrete surfaces. This guide walks you through best practices for mixing, application, and finishing to ensure strong, long-lasting results.

When to Use Phoscrete VO Formulas

  • F1-VO: Fast-setting, ideal for rapid repairs in cold or time-sensitive environments.
  • F3-VO: Extended working time, suitable for larger or more complex vertical/overhead repairs, including shotcrete or sprayed applications.

 

Materials & Tools Checklist

  • Phoscrete F1-VO or F3-VO kits (dry mix bags + activator jugs)
  • Mixing bucket (5-gallon or larger)
  • Heavy-duty mixing drill with paddle/auger
  • Trowels, floats, ramming tools, or shotcrete spray equipment
  • PPE: gloves, eyewear, dust mask
  • Clean water for post-job cleanup
  • Painter’s tape or masking for protecting adjacent surfaces
  • Foam board or release agent for formwork (if needed)
  • Pencil vibrator (recommended for best bond on deep repairs)

 

Step-by-Step Installation Instructions

1. Surface Preparation

  • Remove all loose/damaged concrete to expose a solid, sound substrate.
  • Clean the surface: Remove oil, dust, old repair materials, and slurry. Substrate must be dry.
  • Roughen the surface: Use a wire brush or grinder to achieve a Concrete Surface Profile (CSP) 6 (per ICRI guidelines).
  • For formwork: Use foam board or release agent as needed—Phoscrete does not bond to polystyrene or treated wood.

2. Mixing Phoscrete VO

  • Always check “use by” dates on both dry mix and activator.
  • Pour activator into the bucket first.
  • Gradually add dry mix while mixing with a heavy-duty drill and paddle/auger.
  • For F1-VO: Mix for at least 1 minute.
    For F3-VO: Mix for at least 2 minutes (longer if cold).
  • Optional admixtures: For hot weather, chill activator/use Slow-Set. For cold, use Fast-Set (F1-VO only).
  • Final consistency: F1-VO and F3-VO should be putty-like and thixotropic—workable, not runny.

3. Placing and Finishing

  • Hand-pack or spray: Apply Phoscrete to the repair area, pressing firmly to fill all voids and ensure intimate contact with the substrate.
  • For deeper repairs, place in lifts (~1-inch thick), thoroughly blending each layer into the previous one.
  • Use a pencil vibrator to maximize bond and eliminate air pockets, especially in deep applications.
  • Trowel or float the surface to desired finish. F3-VO can be feather-finished; F1-VO requires a minimum thickness.

4. Curing & Cleanup

  • Initial set: Typically 5–20 minutes depending on temperature/formula.
  • Final set: F1-VO—ready for light loads in ~30 minutes; F3-VO—2–3 hours.
  • Curing: No special curing required. For F3-VO, spray Phoscrete Endure as a curing compound after set.
  • Cleanup: Phoscrete does not stick to buckets/tools. Clean everything with water after the final batch.

 

Pro Tips

  • Work quickly: Both formulas set fast once mixed—only mix what you can place in 10–15 minutes.
  • Protect adjacent surfaces with tape or plastic sheeting to avoid splatter.
  • For overhead applications, use a putty knife, margin trowel, or special ramming tools to press material into place.
  • For sprayed/shotcrete applications, consult Phoscrete technical support for pump and nozzle recommendations.

 

Troubleshooting

vertical overhead concrete repairs

Need More Help?

Contact your Phoscrete Sales Engineer or call our main office at 561-420-0595 for custom mixing guides, on-site training, or to troubleshoot a tricky job.

For more technical guidance, view these full installation guides and best practices PDFs:

 

You can also use the live chat on our website or fill out the contact form below.