Arriscraft CARE Cleaning Tips – Part 2 of 2
Arriscraft.CARE – How to Protect Product at Every Stage
Here are key tips to follow when storing, handling and installing Arriscraft stone.
Delivery, Storage and Handling
Upon delivery, isolate masonry units from contact with the ground, vegetation and other material to prevent staining. Stack the masonry units on timbers or platforms at least 75 mm (3″) above ground. Lift skids with proper slings or forks of sufficient length to prevent damage.
If sitting for an extended period of time, place polyethylene or other plastic film between wood and other finished surfaces of unpackaged units and cover stored material with a tarp if it will be exposed to weather.
Depending on weather conditions, it may be advisable to remove the plastic stretch wrap from the skids to allow air to flow around the product. If this is done, the unwrapped skid will be less stable and subsequent handling of the skid must be done with great care. Do not use salt to thaw ice formed on the surfaces of units.
Protection
Protect products at all times from damage. During installation, protect corners and edges of the masonry with wood or other sufficiently strong materials, secured in a manner that will not damage or stain the finished surfaces. Carefully remove the protection only when the risk of damage is no longer present. Arriscraft does not recommend applying water repellant sealers or graffiti-proofing sealers to its masonry products.
Site-Cutting Stone
When cutting Arriscraft products with a wet saw, always pre-wet the masonry units with clean water. A continuous source of fresh water to the saw is required. Immediately after saw cutting, wash cut stone with a stiff, fibre brush and thoroughly rinse with clean water. Failure to follow this procedure may result in masonry units being stained by the cutting slurry.
Mortar Mixes and Mixing
Arriscraft recommends a 1:1:6 Portland cement-lime mortar. The proportions by volume should be 1 part Portland cement, 1 part hydrated mason’s lime (Type S) and 6 parts washed masonry sand. Calibrate shovels of sand to a one cubic foot gauging box with each change in shift or mixing operator.
Installation
Careful adherence to proper masonry techniques is key to ensuring the performance of the completed masonry wall system. Arriscraft products should be laid with consistent mortar joints for proper coursing. Set stones in full bed of mortar with all vertical joints full. Avoid rocking the unit into place following initial contact with mortar, as this will detrimentally affect mortar-unit bond.
Under normal conditions, Arriscraft products do not require pre-wetting for successful wall construction. However, under hot, dry or windy weather conditions, it may be advantageous to use pre-dampened units. Damp units should be surface dry when they are being laid. It is advisable to keep the masonry free from mortar smears as the work progresses.
Tips for keeping walls clean
- Protect the base of the wall from rain-splashed mud and mortar splatters. Use straw, sand, sawdust or other material spread out on the ground, extending approximately 1 metre (3 ft.) away from the wall
- At the end of each workday, turn any scaffold boards near the wall on their edge to prevent possible precipitation from splashing mortar and dirt directly onto the completed masonry
- Cover walls at the end of each workday with protective, waterproof coverings to prevent mortar joint wash out and entry of water into completed masonry
- Store masonry products on skids, off the ground and under protective coverings
- Prevent excessive mortar droppings by cutting off excess mortar with a trowel as the units are laid. Tool mortar joints when they are thumbprint hard. After tooling, any excess mortar and dust should be brushed from the masonry surface using a soft bristle brush. Avoid rubbing or pressing the mortar into the units.