I Have Had a Several emails Asking About White Glue as an Additive in Concrete and Hypertufa.

I have tried it and not seen a huge difference in the end result.  The concrete seemed to cure faster but that may have been the weather.  It was during the summer and very hot out.  I am sure that it was a little more waterproof and seemed to resist chipping a bit better.  In hypertufa I give it a big YES!  It will improve your results considerably. 

           "Elmer’s" brand glue says on the label that you can use it in concrete and gives instructions.  I think it said 300ml glue plus 150ml water per 10 lbs. of concrete mix.    Don't take my word for it, look it up!!

           I have used it as a bonding agent when pouring new concrete on top of old.  First wash the old with muratic acid, rinse then paint on the white glue.  It seems to help.  I have seen these joints taken apart with jackhammers a couple of years later and the bond looked excellent.  This was in a very harsh west coast marine application, so I say it works well!

           I also think that it makes a difference when added to hypertufa. My theory is that it gives back some of the strength lost due to the organic matter (peat) in Tufa.  I also have an idea that it helps waterproof it a little, and that is a big benefit in outdoor projects.

           I made a couple of "Giant Heads" about 3 feet high with 'Tufa.  These where done over about a week, adding on every day.  The 'Tufa had glue in it.  I am certain it helped  to bond it better during the sculpting process.  When done they seemed a little harder on the surface and water ran off better than it did on projects where there was no glue added.  I can tell you they survived one -35 degree winter, they disappeared after that so I cannot report any further.

           Generally I would say that white glue works at least as well as you have heard.  If you heard it does not work, don't try it.  I will continue to tell people to go ahead.  It can't do any harm!

Delmar