Masonry Magazine November 2009 Page. 27
The New Improved Quikpoint Drill-Mate Mortar Gun.
★Tuckpointing
★ Paving
★ Stonework
★Tile
★Thin Brick
★Cultured Stone
★Steel Casements
★All types of masonry joints
In a Now England winter, a workman sprays a fluid-applied air barrier. Another worker holds a Wet Mil Thickness Gauge for measuring the coating's depth. The best of these liquids can tolerate UV exposure for several months, so bricklaying could wait until warmer weather, if necessary.
Photo courtesy of Hohmann & Barnard
I think fire-resistive barriers and sound barriers are self-explanatory. In exterior wall systems, both can be materials that are also being used for other purposes. For instance, all insulating materials will help to suppress noise, and mineral-wool insulation can help to suppress fire for various periods.
Masonry: Are weather wraps, like Tyvek and others, considered part of a building's insulation?
Shupe: Not really. A weather wrap can serve as an extra air barrier to supplement the insulation, but it has no R-value itself. Its most important job, as a rule, is to block air and deflect bulk water, while letting vapor pass through. If it's to be installed in masonry wall systems, its high vapor-permeability means it must be in proper conjunction with other low-permeability barriers. Otherwise, water vapors can pass into the wall cavity and cause problems. Like all products, weather wraps must be installed in strict accordance with building codes and the manufacturer's instructions.
Masonry: How do liquid barriers work?
Shupe: They're called "fluid-applied air barriers." The best of them have low or no VOCs and HAPs, may also serve as vapor barriers, are effective with relatively thin coverage, and can withstand UV exposure for months before being enclosed. They can be spray applied or brush/roller applied directly to any gypsum board, plywood or concrete masonry substrate. They don't need priming, and can be applied by a single worker. Since they're liquids, they cover and seal protrusions neatly.
Masonry: Any last words?
Shupe: Yes. I'm no tree-hugger, but my family and I breathe the same air and drink the same water as everyone else. So I hope specifiers study the MSDS for every product they specify. There's no reason to use products containing hazardous materials if there are alternatives. Defenders may argue, "There's just a little bad stuff in it." But, when it's being used in countless buildings, my reply is, "A lot of a little makes a lot!" IMAS
Gregg Hodgson is a Miler Beach, Ind-based freelance writer who covers industrial or commercial topics.
Melvin Mancia (Mason Forman)
Job: The John Winthrop School, Dorchester, Ma.
Just scoop mortar into the three quart capacity hopper, pull the trigger on the drill and a continuous controlled bead of mortar can be applied, up to five times faster than conventional pointing methods, to any masonry application.
Qulkpoint, Inc. 23 B Bradford St., Concord, Ma. 01742 USA
Phone: 978-371-3267 Fax: 978-371-2292 Toll Free USA: 800-368-2292
Web: www.quikpoint.com E-Mail: sales@quikpoint.com
READER SERVICE #165
Kennison
FOREST PRODUCTS, INC.
The Solid Choice for
Scaffold Plante
Services Available:
Rod-Clip-Brand
End Painting
Precision End Trimming
Meets OSHA/ANSI Standards
Smooth and Rough Surfaces
2x10", 2x12"
• 2'-16' Lengths
Call today for delivered prices to your area on partial or full loads!
SIA
Dense Industrial 65 Solid
Sawn Scafold Plank
Z-Plank Laminated
Scaffold Plank
Call Our Sales Team!
1-888-697-5585
Fax: 337-527-0412
Bob Edens Jared Kennison
Sales, enxt. 15
Sales, ext. 17
Joe Kennison
Sales, ext. 14
John Warlikowski
Western Region Sales
1-877-784-9163
www.kennisonforest.com
READER SERVICE #144
November 2009
MASONRY 25