How-To Guides cover

How-To Guides

3 stacks
Not every question is "how do I build this." Sometimes it's "which bag do I actually need," or "what am I forgetting." This collection covers the decisions that come before and around every project, so you walk into the store knowing exactly what to grab.

Concrete Mix, Fast-Setting, Mason Mix, FastSet, Stucco, they're not interchangeable. This stack breaks down what each product line is actually built for, so you're not guessing at the shelf.

Product Selector Guides (All Categories)
quikrete.com
Product Selector Guides (All Categories)

The full hub for QUIKRETE's selector guides, Concrete, FastSet, Mason and Mortar, Stucco. Start here if you're not sure which category your project falls under.

Concrete Mix Selector Guide (PDF)
quikrete.com
Concrete Mix Selector Guide (PDF)

Side-by-side comparison of Concrete Mix, QUIKRETE 5000, Crack Resistant, and Fast-Setting. PSI ratings, set time, and which is right for patios, footings, driveways, or posts.

Mason and Mortar Mix Selector Guide (PDF)
quikrete.com
Mason and Mortar Mix Selector Guide (PDF)

Compares mortar and mason mix types side by side, structural block, brick veneer, tuckpointing, so you pick the right bag for brick, block, or stone work.

FastSet Products Selector Guide (PDF)
quikrete.com
FastSet Products Selector Guide (PDF)

Breaks down the FastSet lineup, Repair Mortar, Non-Shrink Grout, DOT Mix, for repair and rapid-hardening jobs where you can't wait days to build on top of a pour.

Stucco Selector Guide (PDF)
quikrete.com
Stucco Selector Guide (PDF)

Compares One Coat Fiberglass Reinforced Stucco, Base Coat, and QUIKWALL. Coverage per bag and where each applies, over masonry, dry stack block, or concrete.

2015 QUIKRETE Product Guide (Full PDF)
quikrete.com
2015 QUIKRETE Product Guide (Full PDF)

The full catalog of QUIKRETE's product lineup in one document, useful as a browsable reference if you want to see everything they make in one place.

Before you start any pour, patch, or wall, here's the basic kit, vocabulary, and prep list that shows up across nearly every project.

Six Essential Items for DIY Concrete Repair (PDF)
quikrete.com
Six Essential Items for DIY Concrete Repair (PDF)

QUIKRETE's own list of the six items that should always be in your tool bag before starting a repair, so you're not making a second trip to the store mid-project.

QUIKRETE Glossary
quikrete.com
QUIKRETE Glossary

Plain definitions for terms you'll hit in almost every guide, control joint, float, footing, form, gradation. Bookmark this if a project instruction uses a word you don't recognize.

Project Instructions Library (Tools & Materials per Project)
quikrete.com
Project Instructions Library (Tools & Materials per Project)

Every project on QUIKRETE's site breaks down into a Tools list, a Materials list, and a Shopping List before the steps even start. This is the hub for all of them, so you can check exactly what to bring home before starting any job in this collection.

Most concrete failures come down to a handful of repeat mistakes, rushing the cure, wrong water ratio, loading it too soon. This stack covers the ones that actually matter.

Four Steps for Simple Concrete Repair (PDF)
quikrete.com
Four Steps for Simple Concrete Repair (PDF)

QUIKRETE's own breakdown of what actually keeps concrete looking good year-round, and the shortcuts that lead to repeat repairs.

Five Tips for Water Leaks (PDF)
quikrete.com
Five Tips for Water Leaks (PDF)

Covers the early-warning signs of water leak damage in concrete and masonry, and why waiting until the wet season to fix them is the most common mistake homeowners make.

The Dos and Don'ts of Curing Concrete
bobvila.com
The Dos and Don'ts of Curing Concrete

A QUIKRETE-sponsored guide covering the most common curing mistakes, painting or staining too early, driving on new concrete too soon, and how long to actually wait (28 days full strength, 10 days minimum before vehicles).