Masonry Magazine August 2014 Page. 24
MAS5308_August2014_MAS 7/22/14 9:41 AM Page 22
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MANUFACTURED STONE
Arriscraft Building Stone
a high pressure washer -with a 40�degree nozzle and the wand held just Arriscraft, manufacturer of all-natural products that emulate quarried stone, uses a cement-free,
one foot from the surface, the water will
Natural Process technology to produce its residential
hit the stone at only 1.3 psi. Ifyou have
Building Stone collection, backed by a lifetime war�
no other means ofapplying the chemi�
ranty. Only three components are used in the cal, then a soft masonry cleaning brush Arriscraft production process: silica sand, hydrated can be used After completely rinsing the lime and high-quality iron oxide pigments. Mixed
together and pressed with 1,000 tons of pressure,
surface, brush the chemical on the wet
they become durable, strong and intimately bonded.
surface at the specified dilution rate. You
From there, stones are subjected to high-pressure
can then rinse well with a pressure
steam and heat. This results in a calcium silicate washer or garden hose and nozzle. hydrate binder, creating a 100 percent dimensional�Douglas: Very simply, in chemical ly stable, non-fading man-made stone unit. Manufactured as "full bed" for standard installa�
cleaning, we are trying to get a reaction
tion (similar depth to traditional brick), Arriscraft
between the chemical and the Portland
Building Stone allows for a traditional masonry wall
component of the mortar in order to
cavity system offering moisture protection. The con�clean it away, yet that cementitious ele�sistent "through-color" property of each product ment also is present in the cement, makes it possible to maintain original colors and
textures, even after on-site cutting, chiseling and
though in a cured state, still reactive. The
dress.Ing. And, waterproofing Is never required with
idea is to catch the mortar at a time dur�
these products.
ing its curing process when we can affect
These materials work for exterior cladding, as they have been developed to endure its firmness and solidity with a mild extreme climatic conditions. Offered in a natural color palette, the same materials cleaning solution, but at the same time selected for the outside of a building also may be selected for interiors. All products
support LEED sustainability objectives as well.
not etch the cementitious stone. It's also
important to note how reactive the col-For more information, visit www.arriscra~com.
orant in the stone is to the solutions we
are putting on it, as well as the reactivity ofcolored mortar if
there are mortar joints present.
Morris: Understanding the reaction is important, because you prevent damage to the manufactured stone. Because the stone and motor are both based on the same material, the use of an aggressive cleaner will remove the mortar as well as dam�age the manufactured stone.
Masonry: Bow is cleaning mortar from a newly finished manufacturing stone project goingto dH�ferent from cleaning older, stained manufactured stone?
Because the aesthetic surface of the manufactured stone is so thin, It requires a
Baer: No matter how you intend to clean the surface, be
very gentle cleaning process. An integrally colored stone as pictured on the left sure to test the process either on an extra stone or in an area will retain a more natural look even If some of that surface is etched because It where a change in the color will be least noticeable. According Is colored in a slmllar palette.
to Steve Gehring, VP of Unlimited Designs which produces Rocky Mountain Stone Products, manufactured stone cleaners will have changed is the chemical you're using as you're no will not remove stains such as tar and hydraulic oil, stains that longer trying to soften and rinse residual mortar away but can be created by other trades on a jobsite. Therefore, it is are trying to suspend and lift away any dirt and grunge important to protect manufactured stone from stains during present on the surface. construction. Once installed, these and other types of stains Morris: The c:le.aning requirements that would be required that penetrate the surface will probably not be removable. to clean newly finished manufactured stone would be less However, manufactured stone cleaner will remove atmospher�aggressive, because it is new and usually cleaned within 10 ic surface dirt and grit, leaving a like-new finish. days. With older or stained manufactured stone, you first
Douglas: Actually, the approach will be very similar: need to identify what the stain is and then use the appropri�You will still have to know whether the colorant is integral ate cleaner designed to that specific stain. You always want to or at the surface; and you will still want to approach the start out with the least aggressive product that will do the best project with very little pressure and a chemical solution job, and always being aware that a product that is too aggres�light enough not to harm the veneer. Essentially, all that sive can etch or damage the stone. IMAS
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22 MASONRY � August 2014 � www.masoncontractors.org The Voice of the Masonry Industry