Landscape and Masonry Adhesive

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION MANUAL: A HOW-TO GUIDE FOR BUILDING WITH CONCRETE MASONRY UNITS

CORPORATE OFFICES: 56 Air Station Industrial Park Rockland, MA 02370 Telephone 888-751-0321 Facsimile 800-231-8222http://www.itwtacc.com

An Illinois Tool Works Division

General Construction Application Manual

Description:
Mason Bond is a space age polyurethane adhesive specifically formulated to adhere masonry blocks structures. For ease of application, Mason Bond is supplied in two tube sizes: standard 10.3 oz. and industrial 29 oz. caulk tubes. Mason Bond is a moisture cure urethane product. It uses the moisture in the air to cure the adhesive. There are no solvents to flash off making it an odorless, easy to use, and safe product for your adhesive needs.

Uses:
Mason Bond is used to permanently bond masonry block structures. Typical uses include crawl spaces, basement walls, and any concrete masonry unit structure. Since the adhesive expands to more than 3 times the bead size, a 3/16 bead is all that is needed on the surface of the block. This allows for more surface area to be covered, gaps to be filled, and a uniform adhesion layer to be formed. The blocks will be bonded or locked together forming a permanent bond between the block layers.

Advantages
Mason Bond (MB) provides many advantages over other masonry adhesive and mortar systems 1. Strength MB is five times stronger than Mortar and is three times stronger than any other masonry adhesive on the market. 2. Productivity It has the ability to double workers productivity. No troweling, no premixing, no waiting. 3. Application Versatility MB can be applied to Wet or Frozen Block. It can also be applied in cold or hot weather conditions. Blocks can be set immediately or within 15 minutes. Product is available in 10.3 (normal) or 29 oz. (industrial) tubes 4. Economical Unlike some of MBs competitors, our adhesive goes further. A lot further! Each 10.3 oz. tube can cover up to 60 linear feet. The leading competitor can cover up to 15 to 20 linear feet at 3/8 bead. Thats 3 times the amount in every tube!

How-To Guide
TOOLS REQUIRED Caulk Gun, Level, String Line, Protective Gloves, Protective Eye-Wear LAYOUT Step 1. Layout enough blocks in your project that can be placed within 15 minutes. BLOCK INSPECTION Inspect blocks to ensure uniformity in size. Remove any dirt or debris prior to applying adhesive or installing blocks to ensure a good level. THE FIRST COURSE

If you are attaching the blocks directly to a concrete foundation or footing refer to the following. If the footing is not level and smooth, a mortar bed must be used on the first course of blocks to level the surface. Follow all mortar manufacturer instructions for block installation using this method. Applying Mason Bond to the Head Joint is still needed to ensure correct block spacing. Read instructions for Adhesive Application (Head Joint) on page 5. Using mortar on the head joint will result in improper spacing of the blocks for those adhered with Mason Bond. FOOTING APPLICATION a. Determine your first course of blocks on the footing or foundation by simply snapping a chalk line or using a string line between the two ends. (See Figure 1) Important! This will ensure that your first course is straight! You will be applying a 3/16 bead of Mason Bond directly on the footing itself.

Figure 1

b. Now that you have the correct placement location and layout for the first course of blocks, its time to establish adhesive lines to start the first course. Adhesive lines for the bed joint are 6 inches apart (on center) on a standard 8 inch (measuring 7 5/8 inches in width) block or CMU. c. Using the chalk line, mark the two even spaced lines 6 inches apart for the adhesive to be applied directly to the footing. The adhesive lines will start 5/8 of an inch inside the outer edge of the face shell side of the block, which will be the center of the bed joint area. These lines will match up with the bed joint area of the CMU. d. Do not apply the adhesive to the footing yet! You will be staging the blocks and applying the adhesive to the head joint on the blocks prior to applying the adhesive to the footing. Important! Accurate measurement is important to ensure proper adhesive application on the footing or concrete surface. Inaccurate measurement can result in poor adhesion between the block and the concrete surface. STAGING THE BLOCKS a. Now that your adhesive lines are established, stage your blocks so that they are easily accessible for adhesive applications and block placement. Staging means to line up blocks on the head joint or vertical end, butted together for a continuous flow of adhesive. Whether attaching the blocks directly to the footing or on the mortar bed, adhesive will need to be applied to the head joint. Follow Adhesive Application directions below. b. Ensure that the surface is clean of dirt and debris. c. Blocks will be lined up end-to-end on the head joint so that the open cores are facing each other. d. Line up enough blocks that can be placed within 15 minutes.

ADHESIVE APPLICATION (HEAD JOINT) No mixing is required for Mason Bond. Follow dispensing instructions below a. Cut end of tube using a sharp blade or existing cut-off hole in calk gun to 3/16 mark on the tip. If the calk gun comes with an attached wire for puncturing the seal, then slide the wire down the center of the tip and puncture the membrane. If not, puncture the inner membrane with a long nail or equivalent instrument. Additional Directions for Use are on page 10. You are now ready to apply the adhesive. a. Apply the 3/16 bead of adhesive in one continuous bead across the head joints of the staged blocks to ensure 100% coverage on the block. The adhesive will be applied to both inner, narrow, raised portions on the head joint. (See Figure 2) In case you are using block with flat end, apply adhesive 1 to 1 inches from outer edge. If using a mortar bed, go to Page 6, Setting The First Course Mortar Bed Application.

Figure 2

ADHESIVE APPLICATION (CONCRETE SURFACE / FOOTING) a. Now that the adhesive has been applied to the Head Joint area, it is time to apply the adhesive to the footing or concrete surface. b. Following the marked string lines designated for the adhesive, carefully apply a 3/16 inch bead of adhesive to the concrete surface / footing. c. Once adhesive has been applied, you can now start to set your blocks in place. Be careful to follow your lines. d. You will have approximately 15 minutes to set the blocks in place. Working time is about 30 minutes if you need to adjust the blocks. Blocks will not be able to be moved within 60 to 90 minutes based on humidity levels. Note: The higher the humidity, the shorter working time you will have to set or move the blocks.

SETTING THE FIRST COURSE DIRECT TO SURFACE / FOOTING a. The starting corner block should be set first. This block will not have any Mason Bond adhesive applied to the head joint. b. The block will be laid on the head joint, which is the open core side of the block. c. The corresponding blocks will be set so that the adhesive on the head joint butts up with the previously laid block. If any adjusting is required, adhesive on the head joint will not need to be touched. d. Blocks should be inspected for dirt or debris prior to block application. Remove any dirt or debris which may hinder a level, uniform fit. Most loose debris can be removed by brushing the blocks with your hand prior to setting the block in place. Check opposite head joint and make sure it is clean and free of debris that would interfere with block placement and adhesion. Make sure that gloves are worn at all times during adhesive application and block wall construction. e. Make sure to follow the string line to ensure a straight wall. SETTING THE FIRST COURSE MORTAR BED APPLICATION Follow all mortar manufacturer instructions for mixing mortar regardless of type (M,N,O, etc) a. The starting corner block should be set first. This block will not have any Mason Bond adhesive applied to the head joint. b. The corresponding blocks will be set so that the adhesive on the head joint butts up with the previously laid blocks. If any adjusting is required, adhesive on the head joint will not need to be touched. c. Since this starter course of blocks is being laid on a mortar bed, the blocks will need to be leveled as each block is positioned. Make sure that sufficient time is allowed to set blocks in place after applying adhesive to the head joints. d. Blocks should be inspected for dirt or debris prior to block application. Remove any dirt or debris which may hinder a level, uniform fit. Most loose debris can be removed by brushing the blocks with your hand prior to setting the block in place. Make sure that gloves are worn at all times during adhesive and mortar application and block wall construction. e. Make sure to follow the string line to ensure a straight wall.

SETTING THE FIRST COURSE MORTAR BED APPLICATION (Continued)

f. Because this starter course is set in mortar, it is important to recheck level on the entire course. This should be done within the allowed set-up time, usually within 30 minutes of setting the block. Because Mason Bond sets up quickly, the blocks may not be able to be moved after approximately 1 hour depending on temperature and humidity. Acceptable conditions for applying Mason Bond are between 40F and 120F.

GAP ALLOWANCES Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) are irregular in nature. Mason Bond masonry adhesive has the ability to expand to fill gaps up to 3/16 of an inch. If the gap between either the head joint or bed joint is greater than 1/16 of an inch after Mason Bond is fully cured, then a skim coat of mortar or approved gap filler is recommended to seal the gap. Follow all mortar manufacturer instruction for mixing and dispensing mortar. a. Using such tools as a tongue depressor that is 1/16 of an inch in thickness, test suspect areas for gap compliance. b. The gap should be no larger than 1/16 of an inch on over 50% of the gap span.

SETTING THE SECOND COURSE a. Using the above SETTING THE FIRST COURSE instructions, it is time to start the second course or layer of blocks on the wall. b. Stage the blocks vertically so that bed joint faces upward and the open cores are aligned. This will allow you to apply adhesive in one continuous line. c. Blocks should be inspected for dirt or debris prior to block application. Remove any dirt or debris which may hinder a level, uniform fit. Most loose debris can be removed by brushing the blocks with your hand prior to setting the block in place. Make sure that gloves are worn at all times during adhesive and mortar application and block wall construction.

d. Applying the blocks in a Running Bond pattern is recommended. (See Figure 3 on Page 8)

SETTING THE SECOND COURSE (Continued)

Figure 3

e. Apply the 3/16 bead of adhesive in one continuous bead across the head joints of the staged blocks to ensure 100% coverage on the block. The adhesive will be applied to both inner, narrow, raised portions on the head joint. (See Figure 2 - Page 5) f. Apply the 3/16 bead of adhesive to bed joint area of the blocks that are already laid on the wall. Two continuous beads are needed on the center of each bead joint area. (See Figure 4)

Figure 4

g. Blocks should be inspected for dirt or debris prior to block application. Remove any dirt or debris which may hinder a level, uniform fit. Most loose debris can be removed by brushing the blocks with your hand prior to setting the block in place. Make sure that gloves are worn at all times during adhesive and mortar application and block wall construction. h. Lay or apply blocks to the wall in running bond pattern so that the blocks overlap one another. i. Make sure to follow the string line to ensure a straight wall. 8

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS Uncured Adhesive (Up to 3 hours after application) Best results are found when excess adhesive is cleaned up immediately or at the earliest opportunity. Use GC-33 gun cleaning solvent or Klean-Strip sprayable stripper. First use a rag to wipe off excess adhesive, and then apply the GC-33 or Klean-Strip stripper to a clean rag to remove the remaining film. Cured Adhesive Cured adhesive can be efficiently removed by using Klean-Strip striper. Spray the cured adhesive area to be removed and wait approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape off the bulk of adhesive to be removed by using a putty knife or similar. Be careful not to damage block. For final cleaning, spray again with stripper or gun cleaner and wipe off with a clean rag. (Optional) Mechanical Cleaning Method Adhesive can be removed mechanically by simply scraping the excess material using a trowel, flat shovel, etc. For a cleaner look, you can utilize a wire cup brush attachment that fits on an angle grinder. Be sure to use OSHA approved eye protection a dust mask due to the dust that may be generated during the cleaning process. During our test, minimal damage occurred with this method when tested on regular CMUs (cinder blocks).

Cleaning Products GC-33 is a gun cleaner solvent available from ITW TACC. Kean-Strip sprayable Stripper is available in local home improvement stores.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE 1. 2. Read Material Safety Data Sheet: Please read entire label before using. Avoid Contact With Skin: Wear gloves and other protective clothing when applying the product. Refer to MSDS if product comes in contact with your skin. Application window is between 40 and 120F. Please refer to Product Data Sheet for application and storage guidelines. Cut End of Tip To Apply Approximately A 3/16 Bead On The Surface: Cut tip of applicator nozzle Install Caulk Tube Into Caulking Gun Puncture Seal of Caulk Tube: Use a thin, sharp object, like a nail, put through the cut applicator tip and puncture the seal between the caulk tube and the applicator tip. Apply Adhesive Bead Onto The Block Surface: For larger surfaces apply multiple beads or apply bead in serpentine pattern. Set Next Block: Block can be set immediately or up to 15 minutes after the application of bead. (15 minutes is the normal open time for the adhesive but time may vary based on humidity. Open time is decreased in more humid conditions and extended in less humid conditions.) The maximum shelf life for an unopened container of this adhesive is 2 years from date of manufacture. Do not reuse empty container. Dispose of according to all federal, state, and local regulations.

3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

NOTE:

ATTENTION:

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND, OR CANNOT READ ALL DIRECTIONS, CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS, DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT

CORPORATE OFFICES: 56 Air Station Industrial Park Rockland, MA 02370 Telephone 888-751-0321 Facsimile 800-231-8222http://www.itwtacc.com

An Illinois Tool Works Division

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