Installation Guide

2025 CENTRE POINTE BLVD, MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN 55120 T 1 888-SPEC-MIX F 1 888-329-7732 WWW.SPECMIX.COM
DIVISION
PORTLAND LIME & SAND
/ MASONRY MORTAR (M, S, N)
APPLICABLE STANDARDS: ASTM AND ACI
ASTM C 144 STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR AGGREGATE FOR MASONRY MORTAR ASTM C 150 STANDARD
SPECIFICATION FOR PORTLAND CEMENT ASTM C 207 STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR HYDRATED LIME FOR
MASONRY PURPOSES ASTM C 270 STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR MORTAR FOR UNIT MASONRY
ASTM C 595 STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR BLENDED HYDRAULIC CEMENTS ASTM C 780 STANDARD TEST
METHOD FOR PRECONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION EVALUATION OF MORTARS FOR PLAIN AND REINFORCED
UNIT MASONRY ASTM C 1093 STANDARD PRACTICE FOR ACCREDITATION OF TESTING AGENCIES FOR UNIT
MASONRY ASTM C 1157 STANDARD PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION FOR HYDRAULIC CEMENTS ASTM C 1314
STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF MASONRY PRISMS ASTM C 1586 STANDARD GUIDE
FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE OF MORTAR ASTM C 1714 STANDARD SPECIFICATION FOR PREBLENDED DRY MORTAR
MIX FOR UNIT MASONRY ACI 530.1 SPECIFICATION FOR MASONRY STRUCTURES
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
•
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL SPEC MIX
®
MANUFACTURER
•
VISIT WWW.SPECMIX.COM
•
CONTACT SPEC MIX
®
, INC.
PHONE: 888-SPEC-MIX FAX: 888-FAX-SPEC
SPEC MIX, InC. IS thE lICEnSor to 42 lICEnSEd ManufaCturErS loCatEd In thE u.S. EaCh lICEnSEE adhErES to a StrICt QualIty aSSuranCE PrograM to EnSurE CoMPlEtE QualIty Control In EvEry batCh, throughout thE ProjECt.
INSTALLATION/APPLICATION
Mortar type should correlate with the particular
masonry unit to be used. The specifier should
evaluate the interaction of the mortar type and
masonry unit specified. That is, masonry units
having a high initial rate of absorption will have
greater compatibility with mortar that has high
water retentivity. The material properties of
mortar that influence the structural performance
of masonry are compressive strength, bond
strength and elasticity. Because the compressive
strength of masonry mortar is less important
than bond strength, workability and water
retentivity, the latter properties should be given
principal consideration in mortar selection. Select
mortar based on the design requirements and
with consideration of code and specification
provisions affected by the mortar.
A sample of the proposed product will be
provided by the manufacturer for architectural
approval and testing, if required. Preparation
of this panel with all materials and systems
employed in the final project is imperative.
Retain the mock-up or field sample through the
completion of the project.
MIXING
• Use a mechanical batch mixer to ensure
homogeneity, workability and good board life.
• Add the maximum amount of clean, potable
water for optimum workability.
• Mix for five minutes consistently from batch to
batch.
• Tool mortar joints when the surface is thumb-
print hard. Keep tooling times consistent.
• Hand mix mortar only with written approval by
the specifier who should outline procedures.
• Use mortar within 2.5 hours after initial mixing.
• Retemper mortar only when mixing water is lost
due to evaporation.
• Allow mortar to cure a minimum of 7 days but
no more than 28 days before cleaning. Consult
manufacturer of the masonry units and cleaning
chemicals for further instructions to ensure
proper washing procedures.
Clean masonry only with a national proprietary
cleaning agent (following the manufacturer’s
instructions) or potable water. SPEC MIX
products are custom packaged to the
specification. They must be kept dry, covered
and protected from weather and other damage.
SIZES AND EQUIPMENT
SPEC MIX Portland Lime & Sand mortar is
available in 80 lb. (36 kg.) packages for easy
hand loading or in 3,000 lb. (1,362 kg.) reusable
bulk bags to be used with the various SPEC
MIX
silo systems. When using the silo system,
once the bulk bags of mortar are delivered to
the project site, the portable silo is loaded with a
job site forklift and the product is dispensed into
a mechanical batch mixer. (See silo operations
manual.)
LIMITED PRODUCT WARRANTY
SPEC MIX, Inc. warrants this product to be of
merchantable quality when used or applied in
accordance with the instructions. This product
is not warranted as suitable for any purpose or
use other than the general purpose for which it is
intended. Liability under this warranty is LIMITED
to the replacement of the product (as purchased)
if found to be defective, or at the shipping
company’s option, to refund the purchase price.
All claims under this warranty must be written
and submitted to SPEC MIX, Inc.
LIMITATIONS
SPEC MIX Portland Lime & Sand mortar should
be installed in accordance with the provisions
of the local building code and applicable ASTM
standards. Good workmanship coupled with
proper detailing and design assures durable,
functional, watertight construction.
WARNING
IMPORTANT! READ BEFORE USING This
product contains Hydraulic cement. Contact with
freshly mixed product can cause severe burns.
Avoid direct contact with skin and eyes. If this
product should contact eyes, immediately flush
with water for at least 15 minutes and consult
a physician. For skin exposure, wash promptly
with plenty of soap and water. Remove soaked
clothing promptly. If this product burns your skin,
see a physician immediately. This product may
contain silica. Silica dust if inhaled may cause
respiratory or other health problems. Prolonged
inhalation may cause delayed lung injury,
including silicosis and possibly cancer. A N95
approved dust mask, eye protection, and rubber
boots and gloves are recommended when using
this product. Material Safety Data Sheets can be
viewed online at www.specmix.com
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
WARNING: This product contains chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer.
© 2011 SPEC MIX, InC.
SPEC MIX ProduCtS arE ProduCEd by ItS lICEnSEd ManufaCturIng faCIlItIES throughout thE u.S. and Canada. EaCh ManufaCturEr adhErES to a StrICt QualIty aSSuranCE PrograM to EnSurE CoMPlEtE QualIty Control In EvEry batCh.