GftK vdw 400plus

GftK vdw 400plus Color Consumption

The figures given in the GftK vdw 400plus Color Consumption Table below are calculated for a joint depth of 10mm and must be multiplied by the actual depth of the joint for your project i.e. for 20mm joint depth, multiply by x2, for 30mm joint depth multiply by x3. Loss and wastage: There are no allowances included for loss or wastage in this table, and this should be added. Professionals usually add around +10%, according to the site situation. Note: This consumption table refers to areas of both smaller format paving (generally regarded as <300 x 300mm), and larger format paving (typically >400 x 400mm). The uneven shapes and profiles of smaller format natural stone setts / cobbles with cropped or riven edges, as well as different paving designs or laying techniques, can also lead to variations in consumption.

GftK vdw 400plus Color – Consumption Table (consumption per 10mm depth of joint)

This consumption table refers to areas of both smaller format paving (generally regarded as <300 x 300mm), and larger format paving (typically >400 x 400mm). The uneven shapes and profiles of natural stone setts / cobbles with cropped or riven edges, as well as different paving designs or laying techniques, can also lead to variations in consumption.

Loss and wastage: There are no allowances for loss or wastage included in this table, and an appropriate amount should be added. Professionals usually add around +10%, for loss and wastage according to the site situation.

Application Process and Guidelines

Summary: The following is a brief outline, and we strongly recommend that users watch the GftK vdw 400plus Color - Video Guides before use.

Site Cleaning and Preparation: Ensure the paving is stable with no loose elements and that the joints are clear and correctly dimensioned. Tape over and protect drains and drainage gullies to prevent entry of the cement mortar. Clean the surface of the paved area to remove any bedding residues and any loose materials. Check the minimum joint depth and adjust if necessary. Also, it is always good to tape and protect adjacent areas of hard and soft landscaping not being jointed.

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  Supplied in 25kg bags

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  Tools and Equipments for vdw 400plus

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  Prewet the Paving for vdw 400plus

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  Open the vdw 400plus bag

Prewetting / wetting: The amount of wetting required is related directly to the type and porosity of paving and the site conditions i.e. wind, direct sunlight, and temperature etc. We recommend wetting very porous paving elements the previous day, or pre-sealing with a suitable impregnation (e.g., GftK 950 3-in-1 Seal & Protect). Then, immediately prior to application, the surfaces must be thoroughly soaked to saturation, and before applying GftK vdw 400 plus Color, check to ensure there is no surface ponding or residual standing water in the joints.

Mixing the GftK vdw 400 plus Color: Pour 4.5 – 5.0 litres per 25 kg bag of clean, cold water into a forced action mixer, or a suitable sized clean container for mixing with a paddle mixer. Add the product directly from the bag and mix for ca. 2 minutes to obtain a smooth, homogenous, pourable mortar, then leave to stand for a further ca. 2 minutes and then mix again briefly for ca. 30 seconds.

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  Add powder to measured water

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  Mixing vdw 400plus till Homogeneous

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  Pour out on the paved surface

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  Wet slurry across surface with joints are filled

Grouting the joints: Pour the mortar onto the pre-wet paving surfaces, spread evenly across the surface using wet-slurry techniques with a rubber squeegee. We recommend filling the joints from the highest to the lowest points. Work the mortar diagonally across and into the joints, ensuring that they are fully filled as you go. Top up as required and strike-off surplus mortar with the squeegee. Leave and allow to stiffen, initial setting. All as shown in the videos.

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  Allow a few mins for initial set and finger test

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  Leave the vdw 400 to set (initial hardening)

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  First cleaning with wet sponges

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  On Larger Areas - using a washboy

Cleaning: After a hardening time of about 25 minutes at 20°C (always check it has stiffened sufficiently with a simple finger pressure test, as shown on the videos), begin the cleaning process. Clean the paving diagonally to the joints using wet sponges, with a washboy machine for larger areas, plus a coconut-fibre brush with a hose and fine water spray to remove residual mortar from the surfaces – work carefully and without washing mortar out of the joints. Finally, clean the paved surface again with the same procedure and clean sponges and brush to remove any residues. Then finally rinse the paving surface again, to finish the cleaning process with a fine water fan spray. Warning: Do not allow the joint mortar to fully harden too much on the paving surface, or it can only be removed by mechanically, or by chemical cleaning (do not use brick acid - refer to NCC for any additional cleaning advice). All as shown in the videos.

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  Spray to rinse then remove excess with clean sponges

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  Second/Final cleaning with more clean sponges

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  Grouting completed - close-up

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  Pointing with vdw 400 - Completed

Curing: The following relates to a temperature of 20°C and 65% RH (relative humidity), higher temperatures will shorten, and lower temperatures will increase these curing times. Protect the freshly applied mortar from direct sun, wind, frost, and temperatures < 5°C and > 25°C. Barrier off the newly treated areas for at least 4 – 6 hours. They are then accessible to limited, authorised pedestrian traffic. Protect the areas from heavy rain for at least 12 hours. Do not lay protective sheeting directly on the surface, always provide ventilation underneath. The paved areas are usable by authorised limited pedestrian traffic after 24 hours and by limited light wheeled traffic after 48 hours. The areas can be fully loaded after 7 days. In principle, a final simple pressure strength test should be carried out before putting the area into service.

Maintenance in service

All external paving requires regular cleaning to keep it in good condition and generally this now includes frequent jet-washing along with suitable paving cleaning detergents and clean water. The use of bleach and industrial style cleaners containing sodium hypochlorite is not recommended. This is because these may damage natural stone as well as potentially damaging and/or affecting the joint colours. For safer and more efficient cleaning we recommend using NCC’s Specialist Paving Cleaning Solutions to facilitate the removal of dirt and stains. Once fully hardened (>28 days @ 20°C), the GftK vdw 400plus Color paving joints can be cleaned by high-pressure water jetting at the same time as the paved surfaces are cleaned. Paving surfaces including the joints, should most definitely NOT be cleaned with brick acid, or any other strong acids, or even strong bleaching agents that are sometimes recommended by people with no knowledge of chemistry! e.g. sodium hypochlorite-based cleaners. The can all adversely affect and/or stain the paved surfaces and jointing materials, including GftK vdw 400plus Color. For safer and more efficient paving cleaning we recommend the NCC range of safe modern paving cleaning solutions, with full details on the Paving Cleaners page of this website.

Another way to reduce the need for high pressure water jet cleaning and prevent damage to your paving joints, is to use one of NCC’s Specialist Paving Sealing Solutions. Using an appropriate sealing system for your paving can prevent, and or significantly reduce staining and dirt pick-up, which then also reduces the cleaning requirements, and/or makes the paving cleaning process, including the joints, much easier and faster, as well as being less frequently required. Although we strongly recommend that any spillages are always removed and cleaned away as soon as possible. Depending on the type of paving and sealer, frequently the sealer can also be applied before grouting is carried out, which has several advantages, firstly in preventing, or greatly reducing any possibility of staining by the grout, plus pre-sealing also makes the grouting process easier and faster as the surface pores are filled, and surface suction on the liquid grout is greatly reduced.

Note: For any paving sealer application after jointing is completed, it is important to wait at least 4 weeks before applying any chemical sealing solutions over freshly applied jointing materials, including GftK vdw 400 plus Color.

Weathering Exposure: As with all materials used externally and exposed to natural weathering, the GftK vdw 400plus Color mortar will age slowly over time and some discoloration can be expected.

There are many different types of paving and different types of sealers, all of which have different characteristics and advantages, as well as limitations. Therefore, this is also a big subject, but fortunately we have provided extensive information and advice on our website, and we developed a complete range of paving sealers for all types of paving and exposure requirements. Find out more on our Paving Sealers page.

Health and Safety

When using GftK vdw 400plus Color, avoid contact with skin and wear safety goggles and protective gloves. Keep away from children. Avoid animal contact (including aquatic life) during the application and curing periods. Please also refer to the MSDS (materials safety data sheet), which is available to download from our website. You can follow the QR code above (which is also on the pack label) to the GftK vdw 400plus Color Product Page.

Ecology: As with all cement mortars, keep the product out of the drainage system. Mixed, cured material is inert and does not require special handling or disposal. Allow to harden before disposal. More information can also be found on the product labels, and on the material safety data sheets (MSDS).

Additional Free Support: For more advice or assistance with your specific paving project, please call 01257 266696 for FREE Expert Advice during normal office hours, or you can email us at any time to: sales@nccstreetscape.co.uk and we will get back to you just as soon as we can. Thank you.