Watershed Block

There are six different block types manufactured that vary in their shape and dimensions. 3 are regular blocks, 2 are bond-beam blocks, and the last one is a cap for the blocks.

The entire process for using the material for installation is explained below:

Preparation

1. Establish lines, levels, and coursing

• Protect lines from disturbance.
• Use non-corrosive materials in contact with masonry.

2. Surface preparation

• Before placing masonry units, remove loose aggregate or any other materials to prevent mortar from bonding to the foundation.

3. Layout

• Layout walls in advance for accurate spacing of surface bond patterns with uniform joint thicknesses and accurate location of openings, movement-type joints, returns, and offsets. Where possible, avoid using units cut to less than half size, particularly at corners and jambs

Construction

1. Coursing and bonding

• Place masonry units to lines and levels indicated on project drawings.
• Maintain masonry coursing and horizontal joints of uniform width and thickness.
• Place masonry units in running bond pattern unless otherwise noted on project drawings.
• Course one masonry unit and one mortar joint to equal 203 mm, 152mm102 mm.

2. Mixing and placing mortar

• Mix mortar following the requirements of ASTM C270-12a.
• Discard mortar not used within 2-1/2 hours of initial mixing.
• Construct 9.4 mm bed and head joints with the minimum depth of masonry unit face shell, unless otherwise indicated on Project Drawings.
• Construct bed joint at starting a course on a foundation not less than 7 mm and not more than 19 mm.
• Use tuck-pointing procedures as specified in ASTM C270-12a to fill voids in below grade and exposed masonry.
• Tool head and bed joints with a concave profile for all masonry exposed to exterior weather conditions unless alternate joint treatments are specified.
• Remove masonry protrusions extending 12.5 mm or more into cells or cavities to be grouted.

3. Placing masonry units

• Do not install masonry units that are cracked, broken, or chipped more than tolerances.
• When possible, orient masonry units so that small chips, cracks, and minor imperfections are not visible on the exposed side of the walls.
• Pull colored masonry units from at least three (3) different pallets for proper blending and appearance.
• Clean units of surface dirt and contaminants before placing them in contact with mortar.
• Vertical cells to be grouted must be aligned and have unobstructed openings for grout.
• Remove excess mortar before it hardens and place units such that mortar does not run down the face of the wall or smear into the masonry face.

4.  Adjustments

• Do not shift or tap masonry units after the mortar has taken the initial set.
• Where adjustments must be made, remove mortar and replace.
• Protect wall cavities during construction to prevent excessive moisture ingress.
• When beginning work each day, clean masonry surfaces, receive mortar and remove loose masonry units and mortar.

5. Anchorage

6. Control

7. Sealing Joints

8. Grout Placement

9. Cleaning

• Clean masonry units as work progress by dry brushing to remove mortar fins and smears before tooling joints.
• Clean exposed architectural masonry with approved cleaners, as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Clean masonry before installing windows, doors, finished flooring, metal fixtures, hardware, light fixtures, roofing materials, and other non-masonry items.
• All surfaces shall be clean, dry, and free of scale, mud, or efflorescence, and cracks shall be filled before applying the water-repellent coating. Apply water-repellent coating to wall surfaces in strict accordance with manufacturer directions. Protect adjacent surfaces and work from damage and staining throughout the application of the water-repellent sealer.

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There is no explicit information on third party organization testing, however the manufacturer requires users as per the specification to test the units according to ASTM C140/140M-14, ASTM C90-14 and ASTM C426-10 and to send back in the event of any defect in the units.

No known safety hazards are related to this product.