Can You Add Glue to a Concrete Mix?

Concrete mix can have a glue added to it for added benefits. You can add white glue or polyvinyl acetate (PVA) in a concrete mix, commonly found in the concrete aisle at a local hardware or building supply store. It is best to use a PVA designs specifically for concrete use because a regular PVA glue can re-emulsify when wet (becomes soft and liquifies again). Concrete application specific PVA is modified to not re-emulsify once used in a concrete mix. When mixing PVA with a concrete mix, 10-25% of the water used for the mix gets replaced with the glue. More than that could affect the concrete mix in a negative way.
Adding PVA or white glue changes some of the characteristics of the concrete like how it feels on the trowel, how long it takes to set up, how strong it is, and how readily moisture absorbs into the surface. It makes the concrete mix stickier which is especially useful for covering vertical surfaces. It increases the bonding of the sand, cement and aggregates that make concrete by just gluing them all together, more. It The addition of glue also helps to decrease water permeation which can increase the overall lifespan of the concrete.
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[@DirkWrightxyz]

Wow! I'm so grateful that you've confirmed what I've been doing for a few years now. I've been adding PVA glue to mortar and plaster with great results! Thanks for making this video! I didn't know that there were thicker versions for concrete use. I've been using ordinary PVA glue for a long time now with no problems. It does repel water after curing.

[@farhadnaraghi281]

could you please send me the name of glue and picture?

[@pcofranc]

Great info, wood glue is always on hand. But, mortar and plaster are or tend to be vertical applications and plaster typically indoors so less moisture exposure. I learned from the channel Vancouver carpenter about adding wood glue (small amount to the water) then mixing rapid set joint compound - fantastic increase in bonding esp for repairs to damaged drywall or plaster surfaces. I even use a brush to apply titebond I thinned with water to a wall with semi loose drywall, cracks, etc as a sealer and to create a better smoother sealed surface to apply joint compound over.

[@poseidon.-]

it's a common mixtures in my country Indonesia , to add pva glue into cement mix, it used to waterproofing & the mixture has stronger adhesion when its cure.

[@kotanvich]

Can it be used in bathroom as a plaster or floor?

[@poseidon.-]

@@kotanvich yes of course , you can even mix it with cement only without sand to cover the surface of rough plaster to make it solid waterproof layer. *edit PVA glue will not dissolve / back to its compound when already mixed with cement and cure. it will forever hard as rock.

[@kotanvich]

@@poseidon.- thanks a lot because I spent a lot of time to find such information

[@Nathan41817]

Indonesia! Nice place, nice people!

[@poseidon.-]

@@Nathan41817 thank you, you'll always welcome here ❤️

[@l0I0I0I0]

LOVE how to the point and concise your videos are! Ty!

[@Ricmau]

For real, no long drawn out useless rambling

[@pcofranc]

4:40 I *think* the directions say up to 100% complete water replacement for the maximum adhesion / bonding agent when applying a skim coat to existing concrete. Did not know about the wood glue emulsifying when exposed to moisture / rain, etc.

[@amerrashed6287]

Interesting, probably adding sbr is more potent than pva, but more expensive . pva remains soluble after drying but sbr once dry is not .. so sbr is the best for plastering & areas where expected to be wet. I've tried both, sbr is really the best.

[@voltgom5363]

Just sent you an email on some problems our company is having....thanks so much for sharing so much educational material.

[@burkester1045]

Thanks. The ratio at 10-25% of the water was exactly what I needed to know (and if the guy at the hardware store was pulling my leg)😅

[@DIY4Profit]

Dear brother can you please advise how to make cement without sand that will not break?

[@regtomerlin]

THANK YOU! I’m learning a lot from your videos

[@Ricmau]

Thank you very much sir , God bless you.

[@maryobrienbarcoe2639]

Hi Steve, again a huge thankyou for your help and knowledge. May i ask you if i would need to seal my small planters for outdoors. If i didnt would my vessel break down over time. Im asking because im irish and need i tell you what i mean about our weather. Would the rain ruin my pieces.

[@creatingconcrete]

Concrete, even unsealed can last a long time in wet conditions, but it will eventually wear away with erosion of the cement component over time leaving you with a sandy, weakened concrete. I would think a sealer layer would benefit the longevity significantly.

[@maryobrienbarcoe2639]

@@creatingconcrete Hi Steven thanks for your reply. What am I looking for that I could use for outside. Would a good clear varnish work. Do you think that would protect them. I make concrete candles also and can only find online a varnish called Earth Safe Finish. for these. I know with the concrete candles you cant just use any varnish. Thankyou again for your reply. 🙋‍♀️

[@richardseifried7574]

How about using acrylic resin instead of pva ?

[@JLittleBass]

What about acrylic fortifier? I've been using that, and it's supposed to do basically the same things you're describing the glue as doing.

[@772003lhanson]

Do you wet cure when using glue or does this eliminate that process?

[@Llavirama]

Silly question, but, I am a silly person, can you add Elmer's blue to cement? It is for a very, very small project! Thank you.

[@86FunQ]

I have a question not a comment. I am trying to save a steel hull (nelson 40). The stern has a fracture where it meets the hull. The previous owner left it and now the water and air have done there magic on the metal hull. What I am attempting to to is add a thin layer of ferrocement reinforced with wire mesh to seal the fracture and reinforced the corroded hull. I would like to ask you your thoughts on mixing PVA into the cement and if it will have any benefits? Love your channel. thanks for producing great content. Cordially C

[@Lonchpad1]

Making my own fire brick, I’ve tried adding water glass to the mix, but as soon as I do, it gets hard and unworkable , Any suggestions about adding water glass to help the structural integrity of homemade fire brick?

[@debbiebaron1864]

What do you think about adding polystyrene beads to portland cement as a core. Then covering it with a layer of regular sand and portland mix

[@pennybazuik2626]

Can I add glue to cement?

[@Palestinian987]

I wanna glue cement to woood, how do I do that to make a chair

[@creatingconcrete]

You will not be able to do this in a structural sense. You would need to key the pieces to fit together. The best bond to wood would be from thin set, but it would still fail due to movement and expansion and contraction of the dissimilar materials, wood and concrete.

[@user-ho2pt1zj2l]

Does it turn yellow over time? Thanks for this! ❤

[@creatingconcrete]

it is not supposed to but it depends on the PVA you use. Many say they will not yellow. Like Weldbond for example.

[@csalsera]

So will the glue make the concrete more pliable and flexible? I'm looking for a mix to use to mortar glass bottles, to allow them to breath a little... expand and contract without breaking.

[@creatingconcrete]

No the finished product will not be flexible. It will be rigid.

[@amerrashed6287]

Probably, u need to add superplasticizer, water reducer, to make it thinner & pliable.

[@farhadnaraghi281]

Tnank you for your video. Could you please tell me the type of glue?

[@creatingconcrete]

PVA glue

[@ashzole]

Can I use Elmer’s glue?

[@Dwight-Lyn]

No. I suggest you re-watch the video and hear his explanation about normal pva glue and why it's not good to use it.

[@joe-nn2ml]

You can, but probably don't want to use it in wet areas.

[@DirkWrightxyz]

What about PVA glue that says it's "water proof?" Have you tried that yet? Titebond III claims to be water proof.

[@paulbolton7232]

Pva is water soluble try sbr

[@zazzenfuk]

​@paulbolton7232 titebond III passes the ANSI/HPVA Type I water-resistance specification

[@Dwight-Lyn]

I know Titebond III is double the price of a gallon of concrete adhesive. So, for me I wouldn't even care of using it instead of the concrete adhesive. @@zazzenfuk

[@cchemmes-seeseeart3948]

That was a helpful video, answering a question I've been wondering about, as I have a big bottle of Elmer's glue I was hoping I could use (maybe for an indoor only projectt)... plus the store selection isn't great in my city. From what I can tell, it is just 'multipurpose' products, rather than the specific product you show. (I think 1 store has 1 product you show at a huge price of $45 / gallon). They have just 3 products & I'm unsure if I'm buying the best option: (Help me shop : ) 1. TEC Acrylbond AMA Mortar Additive 862 - 1.5 gal. (with this info: "Enhances bond strength to plywood and all substrates/ Recommended for porcelain tile/ Interior/exterior use/ Meets ANSI A118.4 and A118.12/ Rated for extra-heavy commercial traffic/ For use with TEC Full Set Plus Thin Set Mortar"). 2. Akona® Concrete Bonding Additive: ("an acrylic cement modifier that improves adhesion and increases durability; produces a patch that will adhere to old concrete and provides the adhesion required for thin overlays"/ "add to concrete- sand mixes; mortar mixes; patching mixes." "Increases strength, adhesion, durability"; "Provides superior freeze-thaw resistance"). 3. Sika 1-Gallon Masonry Bonding Agent: ("multi-purpose use; acrylic bonding agent & admixture:" And ODDLY part of the store instructions say, "can be applied by brush, spray or roller" adding to my confusion & uncertainty all the more?????? Yet it sounds like it can be used as an acrylic additive as you are showing. ???????

[@creatingconcrete]

None of these are the right thing. These are all acrylic fortifiers, not PVA. PVA is thick, acrylic is thin. That is how you tell the difference easily, and these are not suitable to be used in the same mix design. You use PVA or acrylic. If you want to see how your glue would perform, let a blob the size of a coin dry fully and ten drop it in a cup of water and watch it for a day or so to see if / how it re-emulsifies.

[@ddmac9333]

thx for the info