Page 31 - Tobermore Paving & Walling

Instructions & Warnings
As referred to in Tobermore’s Conditions of Sale

CORE TERMS (PAVING & WALLING) Joint Filling
Product All joints must be filled to the top with 6.3 – 2mm grit to prevent movement and spalling of the blocks.
All products should be carefully inspected for defects or damage upon delivery and prior to being laid We recommend that after a few weeks use, any joints which have settled and are not full, are topped up
or fitted. with grit. Joints should be kept filled at all times. You will need approximately one tonne of grit for every
Product Information 100m2 of 80mm paving.
Within Tobermore, design and development of products is a continuing process, and product Note: Care should be taken that the permeable joints do not become contaminated as work on the
information is subject to change without notice. Accordingly, please check with Tobermore to ensure scheme is completed. Special care needs to be taken when soft landscaping is carried out so that soil
that the product information you have represents the most up-to-date product information. does not enter the joints. When this type of work is being carried out, the surface of the permeable
Installation paving should be protected by an appropriate cover to protect the joints from being contaminated.
All products should be installed in accordance with the latest British Standard.
Colour FOR FACING BRICK PRODUCTS
Tobermore produces paving and walling products with excellent density and durability, however, as with Installation – Facing Bricks
all concrete products, slight colour variations are inevitable. Although every effort is made to ensure Please refer to Tobermore’s detailed ‘Guide to the use of Tobermore Concrete Bricks’ available on our
consistency of product colour, variations can occur. In particular, single colours such as Golden, Buff, website: www.tobermore.co.uk
Natural and Red will have variations. Tobermore therefore recommends that products are thoroughly Good Practice during Construction
mixed on site by drawing from a minimum of four pallets. • If mortar dry’s on the surface of the bricks it will stain the product and may not be removed.
We would always recommend that when purchasing products, especially in larger quantities, that they • Mortar extruding from joints should be removed when the mortar is wet and during the process of
are all ordered and manufactured in one batch to reduce the chances of getting colour variation. laying.
Please note that the colour of new products will inevitably vary compared to those which have been • Any mortar smears on the brick surface should be removed by dry or wet brushing.
installed for a period of time as weathering does take place. • Scaffolding should be installed as per regulatory instructions. Please note that mortar can drop and hit
All colour illustrations in Tobermore’s brochures are as accurate as the printing process will allow. For a the scaffolding and then also go onto the wall. You should inspect the work area at all times to ensure
more accurate colour match please refer to actual product samples, which can be provided. the brick surface remains mortar free.
Efflorescence • When it rains be careful that any wet mortar on the scaffolding does not get ‘splashed’ onto the wall.
Efflorescence is a white crystalline deposit that occurs naturally on the surface of concrete materials. • When work stops or is interrupted by inclement weather conditions, brickwork should be protected
Tobermore use market leading technology to significantly suppress the occurrence of efflorescence, immediately with polythene sheeting that is held in place with a suitable fixing. If new brickwork is not
however, if it occurs, it may mask the colour of the product for a period of time, but tends to be washed protected efflorescence, patchy mortar colour, patchy brickwork and staining can occur.
away gradually by rain. Tobermore do not replace products with efflorescence. Packs of products • Bricks should always be covered with polythene sheets to avoid getting damp or dirty when not being
which have had packaging removed should always be re-covered with appropriate packaging to used.
prevent the occurrence of secondary efflorescence. General Cleaning Advice
Surface Scratches • It is always important to keep bricks as clean as possible while laying and tooling. See Good Practice
Minor scuffs or bruises may occur during delivery, movement onsite, and installation (for example, above.
during any plate vibrating process). In Tobermore’s experience, these marks usually weather off through • If mortar has been allowed to dry on the surface of the bricks the options you have to clean it off are
time. as follows; Each process should be tested first and should ensure the facing bricks are not damaged
Ordering - a. Dry brushing b. Wet brushing c. Using a ‘like coloured’ brick to rub the stained brick d. Pressure
To avoid waste, please ensure that your contractor accurately measures the area on site before washing - should only be used as a last resort as it will damage the surface and the mortar joint if not
ordering products. In Tobermore’s experience, dimensions taken from a project plan can vary completed correctly (this method cannot be attempted until the area has been allowed to set for a
significantly from the final layout. minimum of 7 days).
Manufacturing & Quality Systems • Acid cleaning should be avoided.
Tobermore is a BS EN ISO 9001, BS EN ISO 14001 and BES 6001 registered company. Tobermore
uses an integrated management system to manage all health & safety and environmental issues. FOR COUNTRY STONE PRODUCTS
Product Maintenance Installation – Country Stone
Routine cleaning and maintenance is required to keep the overall appearance of products in pristine Tobermore’s Country Stone products are designed to recreate traditional stone sizes and to co-
condition. ordinate with standard cavity wall construction. When used in housing projects, a clear cavity must
Laying multi-blend coloured paving blocks, flags and walling products be retained.
To achieve an even blend of colour when laying multi-blend paving blocks, flags and walling products, it All work must be protected during construction and must be designed and built in accordance with
is desirable to mix from three or four different pallets. accepted industry standards and practice. Builders familiar with conventional brickwork will find that
Queries & Complaints similar installation principles apply.
Please contact one of Tobermore’s Paving & Walling Centres or offices (contact details at www. Joints can be finished flush or tooled depending on the overall effect required. Raked joints are not
tobermore.co.uk) with any queries or complaints. Any complaints must be notified to Tobermore recommended. It is vital that all horizontal and vertical joints between Country Stone blocks must be
without delay.
compacted and free from voids. Shell bedding should not be used.
Movement Joints and Mortar Guidance
CORE TERMS (PAVING ONLY) 1. NHBC recommends that walls constructed of concrete facing bricks should have vertical movement
Product Maintenance joints included every 6m to allow for drying/shrinkage, see PD6697:2010 section 6.2.6.3.4, maximum
Light coloured paving blocks and flags emphasise tyre marks and oil spills on the driveway. Please note ratio for brickwork panels is to be 3:1 length : height. PD6697:2010 section 6.2.6.4 gives advice on
that these products will need more maintenance if overall appearance is to be maintained. joint positions, the benefit of brickwork reinforcement at window openings is covered in section 6.2.6.7
Initial Cleaning of the same document. Movement joints should be planned prior to commencing any construction
When an area has just been paved, allow it to settle for a few days. After this, you may wish to lightly hose to enable them to be concealed behind down pipes etc. and ensure the aesthetic of the building is
down the paving to remove any excess sand or dirt. The area should then be treated with a weed killer maintained.
suppressant 2-3 times per year as required. 2. It is important to ensure that the mortar specified for the construction is suitable for the contract, see
General Cleaning table 15 of PD6697:2010 - class M4 is the maximum recommended for normal external facing brick
Paving requires regular maintenance, including regular sweeping to prevent the build up of detritus. walls. This should not be exceeded when using Tobermore Concrete facing bricks.
Tobermore recommends that paving is cleaned 2-3 times per year. 3. We would recommend that you discuss this guidance with all parties involved in the design,
For general cleaning of dirt and algae, vigorous brushing with a stiff yard brush with plenty of hot construction and installation of this scheme. We also recommend that you refer to BS EN 1996-1-1
detergent solution (washing up liquid or non-bio washing powder), thoroughly rinsed with clean and PD6697:2010.
water, should suffice. Repeated treatment may be required for paved areas sited beneath trees or in 4. Specific professional advice should be obtained at all times before commencing building work.
permanent/near permanent shade. Good Practice during Construction
A light power hose at medium pressure is generally all that is required to clean general dirt and grime. • If mortar dry’s on the surface of the bricks it will stain the product and may not be removed.
Any jointing material which is removed must be replaced. Do not use high pressure powerwashers as • Mortar extruding from joints should be removed when the mortar is wet and during the process of
aggressive power-washing can damage the product surface. A trial area should be tested before large laying.
scale powerwashing takes place. • Any mortar smears on the brick surface should be removed by dry or wet brushing.
Moss, Lichen and Algae • Scaffolding should be installed as per regulatory instructions. Please note that mortar can drop and hit
Thick growths of moss or lichen must be removed first by scraping out the joints and then treating the scaffolding and then also go onto the wall. You should inspect the work area at all times to ensure
the area with a moss killer such as anti-moss paving cleaner. Anti-moss is designed to remove moss, the brick surface remains mortar free.
lichens and algae. It is best applied in dry weather. After being applied it will take a few days to be fully • When it rains be careful that any wet mortar on the scaffolding does not get ‘splashed’ onto the wall.
effective. Once the moss and lichens have been killed, they can easily be brushed off. Anti-moss also • When work stops or is interrupted by inclement weather conditions, brickwork should be protected
leaves a residue in the sand joint which will help reduce the likelihood of re-growth. The manufacturer’s immediately with polythene sheeting that is held in place with a suitable fixing. If new brickwork is not
instructions should always be followed when using any cleaning agent. protected efflorescence, patchy mortar colour, patchy brickwork and staining can occur.
Weeds • Bricks should always be covered with polythene sheets to avoid getting damp or dirty when not being
Large weeds should be removed by hand and then the area treated with a weed killer (available from used.
any good garden centre). Smaller weeds can then be treated directly with weed killer and these weeds General Cleaning Advice
should start to die within days. The manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed when using • It is always important to keep bricks as clean as possible while laying and tooling. See Good Practice
any weed killing agent. above.
Block Paving Sealer • If mortar has been allowed to dry on the surface of the bricks the options you have to clean it off are
It is possible to seal block paving with a resin material which combats staining and weed growth and as follows; Each process should be tested first and should ensure the facing bricks are not damaged
which also enhances colour and appearance. The acrylic sealer is sprayed onto the block paving - a. Dry brushing b. Wet brushing c. Using a ‘like coloured’ brick to rub the stained brick d. Pressure
and forms a ‘skin’ on top of the paving and the jointing material giving an easily maintained finish. The washing - should only be used as a last resort as it will damage the surface and the mortar joint if not
manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed when using any sealing agent. completed correctly (this method cannot be attempted until the area has been allowed to set for a
minimum of 7 days)
FOR HYDROPAVE PRODUCTS • Acid cleaning should be avoided.
Installation - Hydropave
Tobermore recommends that its Hydropave products be installed in conjunction with a BS EN 7533- FOR COUNTRY STONE PRODUCTS
13:2009 designed permeable paving system. Note: A permeable paving design relies heavily on Installation - Secura
using the correct aggregates. Prior to installation, we would ask you to test both the 4/20mm coarse All Secura products should be installed in accordance with British Standard BS8002. When
graded aggregate and also the 6.3-2mm bedding and jointing grit as per the relevant British Standard constructing a retaining wall, ensure that you follow the design provided by the scheme engineer.
specification (BS EN 13242:2002). In particular, the material should be categorised as LA20 according
to Table 9, SZ18 according to Table 10 and MDE15 according to Table 11 within this standard. The
grit should be insoluble in dilute hydrochloric acid and should be naturally occurring material. In our
experience, incorrect use of aggregates is one of the most common reasons for failure of a permeable
paving system. 3131