Tech-Dry Blocks

TECH-DRYAD

The following specifications must be followed for the Tech Dry Wall System.

Tech-Dry Mortar Mix

1. Mix 300 mL of MORTAR ADDITIVE with 2 shovels of cement and 8 shovels of sand.
2. The cement to sand ratio must not exceed 1 part cement to 4 parts sand.
3. If a fattier mix is required, more MORTAR ADDITIVE may be added.
4. Ensure that that all brick/block work is laid with a full width mortar bed and perpend. A block laid with minimal mortar thickness can lead to water ingress and potential failure.

Retaining Wall Construction Notes

1. Make sure REAR of mortar joints as well as FRONT are completely full and ruled off (pointed) to provide a watertight seal.
2. Ensure first course is laid as a 20.61 cleanout block so mortar dropping etc. cannot build up at the base of the floor joint.
3. Kuniseal water-stop to be placed in the bottom of the 20.61 cleanout blocks. Place the Kuniseal prior to core-filling, after any mortar droppings have been removed.
4. Prior to concrete filling wall cavity, make sure all mortar droppings are cleaned out within the wall by using Y12 steel rod bar, pressure hose or similar.
5. Apply Xypex Concrete Waterproof Admixture at batching stage to concrete fill prior to delivery.
6. Back fill rear of wall with 20mm blue-metal creating a free fall for water to be collected by ag-drain.
7. Ensure ag-pipe drain is placed at least 100mm below floor level.
8. Apply 2 coats of an acrylic bituminous waterproof membrane to rear of wall.

General Construction Notes

• All Tech Dry Blocks must be laid with Tech Dry Mortar Additive to the correct dosage levels and in accordance with A.S.3700 SAA Masonry Code.
• Walls must include horizontal weep holes at the floor joint in each block to drain away water, which may become trapped inside the blocks.
• Partially fill the bottom course block cores with clean 20mm Blue Metal or another similar drainage material. This is to help prevent mortar from the following courses blocking the weep holes.
• Ensure control and articulation joints are designed to prevent water penetration.
• Partial reinforcement and core filling must be used in a single skin wall to control wall cracking.
• Wall construction must be supervised by the appointed builder.
• Ensure that the perpends are buttered on each side with a void in the middle. The mortar joints should be well ruled both inside and outside to provide a tight sealed joint.
• Do not put mortar in the web of the blocks.
• When building retainer walls it is important to have a good drainage system in place behind the wall.
• When core filling Tech Dry blocks some seepage will occur, make sure it is cleaned off before it dries.
• All Tech Dry blocks can be painted and rendered as normal.