Pointing Granite Step Joints

PART 1–GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

A. This procedure includes guidance on pointing granite step joints with sealant protected by 1/2 qt. of pointing mortar. This is recommended for joints on horizontal or sloping surfaces that are frequently washed with water. A backer rod is typically used in conjunction with sealant in joints 3/8” or wider.

B. This procedure should be used in conjunction with 04520- 02-R, which describes in more detail the purpose of re-pointing in general, the materials required and precautions that should be taken.

C. For guidance on caulking granite steps with waterproof joint sealant, see 04465-07-R.

D. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:

1. Safety Precautions
2. Historic Structures Precaution= s
3. Submittals
4. Quality Assurance
5. Delivery, Storage and Handling=
6. Project/Site Conditions
7. Sequencing and Scheduling
8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)
   
   These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).

1.02 REFERENCES

A. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM),
100 Barr Drive,
West Conshohocken, PA 19428,
610-832-9585 or FAX 610-832-9555.

1.03 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Certificates: Prior to delivery, submit certificates attesting to compliance with applicable specifications for grades, types and classes.

B. Joint Raking: Prior to raking out all areas, cut back joints at location selected by Contracting Officer using the methods specified. Raking will continue at no additional cost to the Government, until an acceptable sample is achieved. This area will serve as standard for joint raking for the entire job. It will be marked with masking tape and left unpointed until all other pointing is complete. Point when directed by the Contracting Officer.

C. Sample Stone Pointing: Repoint joints, using materials and methods specified at a location selected by the Contracting Officer. The samples accepted by the Contracting Officer will serve as a standard for the entire job. They will be marked with tape and left undisturbed.

1.04 PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS

A. Environmental Requirements: No stone pointing or repair shall be performed when the air temperature or stone surface temperature is 40 F, and falling during and for 48 hours subsequent to laying.

PART 2–PRODUCTS

2.01 MATERIALS

A. Joint Sealant:

1. Multi-part, non-sag urethane sealant in conformance with ASTM C290, Type M, Grade NS, Class 25.
2. Joint Primer: Provide joint primer recommended by the sealant manufacturer for specific application and locations.

B. Backing Rod: Round, closed cell, polyethylene foam backing rod. Use as recommended by the sealant manufacturer for back-up and compatibility with sealant.

C. Mortar for Granite Pointing:

1. Portland Cement: Type 1, ASTM C150, gray.
2. Hydrated Masons Lime: ASTM C207, Type S.
3. Aggregate: ASTM C144, clean, sharp sand free of loam, silt soluble salts and vegetable matter. Aggregate shall conform to the following size gradations:

   Sieve Size	Percent Passing
   No. 4	100
   No. 8	100
   No. 16	85 - 95
   No. 30	40 - 60
   No. 50	15 - 20
   No. 100	1 - 5

4. Water: Clean and free of deleterious amounts of oil, acid, alkalis and organic matter.

2.02 MIXES

A. Proportions for Granite Pointing:

1. Portland Cement: 1 part by volume.
2. Lime: 1 party by volume.
3. Aggregate: 3 parts by volume.
4. Water: to form a workable consistency.

E. Mixing Procedures: (see also 04100-03-S for additional guidance)

1. Measure materials by volume or equivalent weight.
2. Do not measure by shovel. Use known measure.
3. Mix ingredients in clean mechanical batcher for 3-5 minutes.
4. Let mortar sit for 20 minutes prior to use to allow for initial shrinkage. Use mortar within 1AB hours of initial mixing.

PART 3–EXECUTION

3.01 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

A. Rake out all stone joints in designated areas by hand using a chisel =AC” or less in width. Remove all un-required metal fasteners from granite and granite joints.

B. Clean all mortar from surfaces within the joint or crack so that the new pointing mortar bonds to the building material, not old mortar. Do not chip or spall edges of the stone. More than one =AB” chip per square yard will be unacceptable. If work is found unacceptable, all raking will cease without additional cost to the Government until deficiencies in tools, workers or methodologies have been corrected to the Contracting Officer’s satisfaction.

C. Rake joints to a depth to allow for the top of the sealant to be =AB” below the face of the granite.

D. Brush, vacuum or flush joints to remove all dirt and loose debris.

E. Reduce initial absorption of the stone by thoroughly wetting stone surface with clean water just prior to re-pointing. Do not allow water to pool on surface of the stone.

F. Prime or seal joint surfaces where recommended by the sealant manufacturer. Confine to areas of sealant bond, do not allow spillage or migration onto adjoining surfaces.

G. Accurately place top of backing rod to a depth equal to =AB” plus =AB the width of the joint.

H. Apply the sealant recessed =AB” below the surface of the granite. Tool joint and allow sufficient time for sealant to obtain initial set.

I. Prior to pointing remaining =AB” of joint, dampen joint to lessen initial absorption of the stone by thoroughly wetting stone surface with clean water. Do not allow water to pool on surface of the stone.

J. Pack joints with mortar leaving no voids.

K. Use clean tools and equipment, free from hardened or partially set mortar.

L. Clean excess mortar from stone and joints, removing splashed mortar and droppings immediately.

M. Do not re-temper or use mortar which has partially set, is caked, or is lumpy.

N. Tool horizontal and vertical face joints flush, dense and smooth after mortar has taken initial set. Do not allow mortar to extend over the stone surface.

O. Curing: Keep joints damp (90% RH) for at least 72 hours or until surface is cured. Protect joints from rapid drying due to wind (i.e., covering with tarps).

3.02 ADJUSTING/CLEANING

A. At the time of pointing of the stone, immediately remove mortar, grout and sealant from the face of the masonry.

B. Use only tools and equipment which are clean and free of hardened or partially hardened material.

C. Clean stone only with fiber bristle brushes and water. Use no acids, detergents, or other cleaning agents.