Azpects Easy Joint Paving Compound Owner’s Manual
- September 19, 2024
- Azpects
Table of Contents
Azpects Easy Joint Paving Compound Owner’s Manual
(All colours including the EASYJoint Select range)
EASYJoint is a unique ready-to-use air-curing jointing compound for most types of paving having joints of 3mm and over. EASYJoint is a quick and easy way to apply a permanent joint with no special machinery or equipment required. EASYJoint is suitable for natural stone, porcelain, concrete, slate, clay, terracotta and granite.
Features & Benefits
- Supplied ready to use, no mixing required
- Can be applied in virtually all-weather conditions
- Unlimited shelf life
- Unused product can be kept for future use
- Simply brush into joints and compact with water¹
- Eco friendly – the product contains natural ingredients found in nature, such as plant oils and extracts
- Packaging 100% recyclable
- Non staining. Sets hard, will not crack or wash out²
- Resists weeds and plant growth
- Totally weatherproof, unaffected by frost
- For all joints of 3mm wide and over
- Water permeable, allows water to escape
Areas for use
- Footpaths
- Patio areas
- Indoor stone floor areas (sealing will be required as the product is permeable)
- Pedestrian areas
- Not suitable for driveways. We recommend EASYJoint PRO³
Limitations
-
Do not use on joints narrower than 3mm
-
Joint depths
• For thin paving (20 – 24mm)
Only suitable for this type of paving if the material is laid and securely fixed onto a solid (bound) sub-base. The joint must be filled to just below the paving surface
• For regular paving (25mm and greater)
Fill to at least 25mm, keeping the filler to just below the paving surface -
EASYJoint will not add to the integrity of the paving project and should not be relied upon to form any element of the structural makeup of the project
-
The jointing should not be cleaned by use of high-pressure washers until cured for at least 14 days. The distance between nozzle and jointing must be at least 150mm
-
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. As the company cannot be aware of all the applications and materials the product may be used on, it is the user’s responsibility to determine suitability for use
Surface preparation
Ensure that the paving to be jointed is clean and free from loose dirt, oil, debris and grease etc.
APPLICATION
EASYJoint is supplied ready to use and does not require any further mixing or addition of other materials. There are two methods of laying EASYJoint.
Method 1 – WET APPLICATION METHOD (Recommended)
Note : Whilst this is the preferred method of application it should not
be used when ground temperatures are at or below zero ºC. Use the second
method described further on in this section.
-
Thoroughly wet the area to be jointed – the wetter the better.
Do not worry about water lying in the joints – it will be displaced by the EASYJoint as it is applied. -
Cut open the vacuum-packed bag and sprinkle about half the contents over the area to be jointed. If you find any soft lumps of compound in the bag, simply break them down using the broom. Hardened product should be discarded. It is recommended to soak the compound at this stage. Using a soft brush or squeegee, push the EASYJoint into the joints ensuring they are filled with the material.
-
Flush the compound into the joints with water using a hose on a spray setting. This compacts the compound into the joint ensuring the gap is completely filled. It also aids cleaning the surface.
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Top up any sagging joints with more EASYJoint. Re-flush with water, as before.
-
Repeat until the whole paving area is complete.
-
To finish off, again gently spray the paving as a final compacting and cleaning process.
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Allow all the water to drain away and the paving to dry out.
-
For a smoother finish to the joint, once the paving is dry – “point” the joint with a suitable jointing iron or trowel.
-
There is no need to protect treated joints from rain or frost whilst setting although the presence of rain will delay the setting process. EASYJoint only cures when it is dry – therefore rain will slow down the process. If heavy rain has occurred when the joints have been pointed, then it may be necessary to re-visit the job once the weather has cleared to touch up any damaged joints.
-
Any residue left on the surface when cured can be simply cleaned off by sweeping with a stiff brush diagonally to the joint.
More information on the installation process is available on the website – azpects.co.uk
Footnote:
¹ Working with porcelain paving. The same rules apply when working with
porcelain paving tiles as with working with stone or concrete. The base on
which the porcelain is laid must be permeable. If the base is non-
permeable then EASYJoint pro or EASYGrout should be used. See the
Azpects website for more information.
Less water is needed when applying EASYJoint to porcelain paving as there is
little risk of residue staining however, users will find that a small amount
of water, added to form it into a slurry, will make it easier for the operator
to fill the joints properly. When applying to porcelain, to ensure an
effective joint, the operator MUST iron the joint to further aid
compaction of the compound.
Note on Compaction. Whilst not a necessity, a stronger, smoother and more
durable joint is achieved if the product is compacted. Compaction forces out
air and water which helps the joint harden quicker.
APPLICATION
Method 2 – DRY APPLICATIoON METHOD
(For use when applying in temperatures at or below freezing)
- Do not wet the surface. The freezing temperatures may cause ice to form in the joints thereby stopping the compound fully settling into the joint.
- To prevent possible marking, the paving should be sealed, preferably before installation, ensuring both the surface and the edges of the paving are protected, using a good quality breathable water based sealer. We suggest the use of EASYSeal Ultimate.
- Cut open the vacuum-packed bag and sprinkle about half the contents over the area to be jointed. Using a soft brush, push the EASYJoint into the joints ensuring they are filled with the material. The joint must be compacted by using a pointing iron or similar tool. It is important that the joints are fully filled.
- Repeat until the whole paving area is complete.
- For a smoother finish to the joint, “point” the joint with a suitable jointing iron or trowel.
- There is no need to protect treated joints from rain or frost once the product is in the joint. However, as with the Wet Method, rain and cold weather will delay the setting process. EASYJoint only cures when it is dry – therefore rain will slow down the process.
- Any residue left on the surface when cured can be simply cleaned off by sweeping with a stiff brush diagonally to the joint.
More information and a video of the process are available on the website azpects.co.uk
Setting times
The times indicated are based on temperatures of 20ºC and 65% humidity –
cold/wet weather increases the setting times – warm/dry weather decreases
them. Read on for a greater understanding.
EASYJoint is a compound that is oxygen cured. It therefore needs air to start
and complete the setting process. Inclement weather conditions will not
prevent the use or application of EASYJoint but, it will affect the time it
takes for the compound to cure and set hard.
Cold conditions can increase the setting time considerably – freezing weather
will cause the process to slow down and it can take many days for the joints
to set hard. Whilst it may be slow in setting, it will eventually go hard and
the cold weather and frost will not have impaired its qualities in any way.
Similarly, whilst EASYJoint is wet, either through rainfall or the application
of water whilst laying it, the setting process will be suspended. Prolonged
periods of rain, or several intermittent showers may considerably extend the
setting times indicated. But again, whilst it may slow the setting process, it
will eventually set hard and the rain will not have impaired its qualities in
any way.
To summarise, in temperatures of 20ºC and with humidity of 65%, the joint
needs to be free from water for about 24 hours for the curing process to
complete.
In warm and dry weather as indicated, pedestrian areas are safe to walk on after approximately 12 – 18 hours and will set hard after approximately 24 hours. It will be fully load bearing after approximately 3 days of consistent warm and dry weather.
Note: EASYJoint continues to harden for several weeks and achieves its full strength after about 3 to 4 weeks.
Usage precautions
EASYJoint may leave an oil residue over the paving if the surface is not
sufficiently washed over in the final stages of application. In virtually all
instances, this temporary marking will fade away with natural weathering and
use, although no guarantees of this are given or implied. If in any doubt test
a sample before use.
When working with natural stone, particularly granite, smooth sandstone and
some darker coloured materials such as black limestone, the residue may be
particularly pronounced and may take much longer to fade. It is also possible
for particularly absorbent materials to absorb the oils and change in colour
(deepen). In such circumstances the colour change may be permanent although it
normally “softens” over time.
To minimise any chance of marking when working with sensitive paving, it is
recommended that it is sealed, preferably before installation, ensuring both
the surface and the edges of the paving are protected, using a good quality,
breathable water-based sealer. We suggest the use of EASYSeal Ultimate.
No guarantees in this respect are given or implied. If in any doubt test a
sample before use.
The liberal application of water prior to and during the application period
will minimise (and in most cases eliminate) the affects previously described.
COVERAGE
(The figures given below are approximate quantities required)
SPECIFIC DATA
COMPRESSIVE / FLEXURAL STRENGTH
Health & Safety
IF IN EYES: Bathe the eye with running water for 15 minutes. Promptly wash
eyes with plenty of water while lifting the eye lids. Continue to rinse for at
least 15 minutes and get medical attention. Remove contact lenses if possible
and safe to do so.
Storage
It is always preferable to store in a cool dry place, however, the material is
not damaged by frost or exposure to cold/wet conditions. It is advisable to
keep the product protected from high summer temperatures. Protect packaging
from punctures or piercings. Any exposure to air will start the curing
process.
Shelf life
Unused but opened product can be stored in the tub if covered with at least
50mm of clean water.
- MSDS sheet available by emailing info@azpects.co.uk
Footnotes:
²Providing installation guidelines are followed.
³EASYJoint PRO is a two-part epoxy resin and sand product which is designed
for vehicular areas and areas those with poor drainage or constant water
flushing such as swimming pool surrounds.
01473 760777 • Azpects Limited, Unit 13, Riverside Industrial Park, Rapier Street, Ipswich IP2 8JX