EASYJoint

IMPORTANT - The ground conditions where the paving is to be laid must be well drained to allow water to get away. If the area is naturally wet, perhaps because it is low-lying & water tends to collect & never get away, or if there is a high water table, then EASYJoint should not be used.

If the paving base never dries, nor will the bottom of the joint, causing the lowest part of the jointing compound not to set. There have been some very rare but extreme cases where the ground never dries, or dries a long time after the EASYJoint has been installed. In these instances, either part or all of the joint has failed, or has only "crusted" over at the top & after a winter season, has then failed.

Ensure the project has a suitable "fall" to allow surface water to drain away.

Except for in freezing conditions, EASYJoint can be applied in virtually all weather conditions, it is truly an all weather jointing compound. Intermittent rain, even if heavy, before, during or after application is not a problem provided:

• The overall site conditions are suitable as described above and,
• The chosen application method is appropriate for the project.

Very hot conditions

Unlike most alternative jointing methods including the traditional sand and cement method, extremely hot conditions do not restrict the use of EASYJoint. Because water is used, EASYJoint does not cure overly quickly, a problem experienced by most alternative products.

To ensure the safe use of EASYJoint, in temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, ensure a careful eye is kept ahead of where you are working to ensure the paving does not dry out. The wetter the better!

Very wet conditions

EASYJoint can be put down in heavy rain but will not cure (go hard) until it has fully dried out. Heavy rain may also effect the finish of the top of the joint and may require re-working to get the finish you desire.

Cold or freezing conditions

The integrity of EASYJoint is not compromised in cold and freezing conditions once installed. The only impact is that the curing time for the product is extended considerably.

Application in cold and freezing conditions
In freezing conditions, EASYJoint can be applied using the Dry Application method provided the paving has been pre sealed with an appropriate sealer for your paving material.

If the intention is to use the Wet Application method, at the time of installation, ground temperatures must be greater than 3 degrees Celsius. Once the paving joints have been filled, if temperatures fall as they might overnight, the reliability of EASYJoint will not be effected.

If you were working with a permeable base, the description of EASYJoint being an "All Weather" product is true. However, because you are working on an impermeable base, which will restrict the draining of water, some weather precautions do apply.

You are strongly advised to wait for a dry spell when moderate to heavy rain is not forecast for at least 18 hours (moderate to warm temperatures) or 36 hours (colder conditions) after the application of the paving joint compound. This is to give the best chance of the water that was used in the application process being able to drain and evaporate from the paving joint and for the curing process to commence. If further water is added from rainfall during the curing process, there is a risk that the surface of the paving joint will cure through evaporation but the bottom of the joint will not, leaving a weak result.

Very hot conditions

Unlike most alternative sweep in sand jointing methods including the traditional sand and cement method, extremely hot conditions do not restrict the use of EASYJoint. Because water is used, EASYJoint does not cure overly quickly, a problem experienced by most alternative products.

To ensure the safe use of EASYJoint, in temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius, ensure a careful eye is kept ahead of where you are working to ensure the paving does not dry out.

Very wet conditions

EASYJoint put down in heavy rain will not cure (go hard) until it has fully dried out. The heavy rain will also effect the finish of the top paving joint.

Cold or freezing conditions

The integrity of EASYJoint is not compromised in cold and freezing conditions once installed. The only impact is that the curing time for the product is extended considerably.

Application in cold and freezing conditions
In freezing conditions, EASYJoint can be applied using the Dry Application method provided the paving has been pre sealed with an appropriate sealer for your paving material. Azpects have an extensive range of sealers to treat and protect natural stone and concrete.

If the intention is to use the Wet Application method, at the time of installation, ground temperatures must be greater than 3 degrees Celsius. Once the joints have been filled, if temperatures fall as they might overnight, the reliability of EASYJoint will not be effected.

Joint width

Regardless of the paving base construction and the paving material – jointing compound - used, a minimum paving joint width of 3mm must be maintained throughout the full depth of the paving.

Paving Joint depth

For paving on a sand or crushed aggregate foundation, it is recommended that the joint depth is a minimum of 30mm.

For paving on a solid or bound foundation, it is recommended that the joint depth is a minimum of 25mm.

The reason these dimensions are recommended is to ensure the strength of the joint is not compromised.

Thin paving material

When working with thin paving material it is difficult to achieve the correct depth. In such cases, to achieve the required depth, create a channel in the base material by running the tip of a trowel around the exposed edges of each paver so that even though the paving is thin, there is still 25mm or more depth for the EASYJoint to sit in.

As a final check before proceeding to install EASYJoint and to ensure this is the correct method for your project, check it meets the following criteria:

1. The site conditions are suitable – Refer to the before you start guide.
2. Ensure you are not working in freezing conditions or in temperatures that are 3 degrees celcious and falling – Refer to the before you start guide
3. The base is permeable or Rain is not forecast for 48 hours
4. When working with Natural Stone paving ensure it does not require sealing prior to installation – See Nature Stone above

Absolutely soak the area to be jointed with water using a hose. The paving must be saturated before starting & remain soaked throughout the application process. Imagine the paving is a sponge saturated with water – it is incapable of absorbing anything more. Don’t worry how wet the area is - in fact, the wetter the better. Do not shortcut this process, particularly if working with particularly absorbent or sensitive materials such as (but not exclusively) Fossil Mint Sandstone & many Limestone's.

It is preferable that two operators work together; one sweeping, the other using the hose. Using small quantities of EASYJoint, simultaneously spread and wash the compound across the surface using a jet of water and a broom/squeegee, allowing it to fall into the joints. Never allow EASYJoint to stand in piles or allow the paving to dry with any EASYJoint remaining on its surface.

The hose operator should alternate between following the sweeper to aid washing the compound into the joints and moving ahead of where they are working so that the paving is always wet. This is particularly important in warm/hot weather conditions. Don’t worry about using too much water - the wetter the better.

Allow the excess water to drain away. Top up any sagging joints with more EASYJoint & repeat the washing process as described previously.

Apply a final gentle spray of water to both clean the surface of EASYJoint residue & aid the final compaction process. This also assists to obtain a relatively smooth finish to the joint. Work conscientiously not to leave any grains of sand on the surface. When the water has drained away, a "flicking" motion with a clean soft hand brush (not the same one used to apply the compound) will aid the removal of any loose grains.

1. Work cleanly, clearing both the sand grains and the binding oil from the surface as you go. Keep washing until the "rainbow effect" oily water is no longer evident.
2. For a finer texture to the joint, "point" (otherwise known as "strike") the compound with a suitable finishing tool. Commence once the paving has dried and the joint is free of water - this ensures the compound is sufficiently firm to retain its shape.
3. Once the EASYJoint has set hard, sweep the paving with a stiff broom, diagonally to the joints, to remove any final traces of compound, especially along the edges of "struck" joints. Do not use the same broom that was used in the application process.
4. Footware caution - The soles of footwear may pick up some EASYJoint during the application process. Clean them before walking across dried (or drying) paving to avoid leaving "footmarks". For similar reasons, do not use the same broom that was used to apply the EASYJoint to clear the surface afterwards; it will be contaminated & may leave marks.

As a final check before proceeding to install EASYJoint, sweep in jointing compound, and to ensure this is the correct method for your project, check the conditions meet the following criteria:

• Daytime and overnight temperatures must not drop to 3 degrees Celsius or less
• There is a no possibility of rain within 24-48 hours of application
• Regardless of the above, always ensure the site conditions are suitable for the use of EASYJoint. Refer to the ‘before you start guide’

Water is generally used to protect the paving. However, as a result of the base permeability (strength) or the weather conditions you have selected to apply EASYJoint dry (or almost dry). Because of this, whilst water is still required, its use must be kept to a minimum. Read the following instructions carefully before commencing.

Prior to using EASYJoint seal the paving surface and the edges with an appropriate sealant for the type of paving you are working with. If using particularly sensitive paving such as granite then all the sides of the paving should be sealed. In most instances, our own EASYSeal SSP can be used. If considering EASYSeal SSP, from the EASY Seal Range, ensure you follow the sealing application instructions supplied with that product.

Sealing the paving material prior to installation (before it is laid) will give the best result. If however that is not possible, then ensure the paving edges are sealed by applying the sealant with a low pressure garden sprayer. This is a two stage operation. First, run the nozzle of the spraying hose along the inside of the joint, fanning the liquid to ensure a coat is applied along both edges before, secondly applying a coat to the paving surface. We strongly recommend you apply two coats of the Sealer in the appropriate manner and timings as described in the instructions supplied with your sealant.

Dampen the patio area to be jointed with water using a hose. At this stage, do not allow too much water to collect in the joints. The water in this instance is not to protect the paving from marking (the sealant is doing that), it is merely to aid the flow of the EASYJoint in the joints and compact naturally giving a strong joint that will bond to the paving.

It is preferable that two operators work together; one sweeping, the other using the hose. Using a broom/squeegee, apply small quantities of EASYJoint with a little water to aid the spreading process. Do not flood the site as you would if using the Wet Application Method. Never allow EASYJoint to stand in piles on the paving surface.

Use your best endeavours to keep the paving clear of the compound by applying a small amount of water to wash the surface. Avoid over wetting the paving - you are trying to apply the EASYJoint with as little water as possible.

Allow the excess water to drain away. Top up any sagging joints with more EASYJoint & repeat the washing process as described previously.

Work conscientiously not to leave any grains of sand on the surface. Using a fresh, clean soft/medium bristle broom, clear as much of the sweep in compound residue from the paving surface as possible. A “flicking" motion with a clean soft hand brush is also effective to remove loose grains of paving compound. Any final grains of sand can be removed using a fine spray of water, using as little as possible.

1. Work cleanly, clearing both the sand grains and the binding oil from the surface of the paving as you go.
2. For a finer texture to the joint, "point" (otherwise known as "strike") the sweep in compound with a suitable finishing tool. Commence once the paving has dried and the joint is free of water - this ensures the compound is sufficiently firm to retain its shape.
3. Once the EASYJoint has set hard, sweep the paving with a stiff broom, diagonally to the joints, to remove any final traces of compound, especially along the edges of "struck" joints. Do not use the same broom that was used in the application process.
4. Footwear caution – Whilst the risk is reduced because the paving has been sealed, it would be wise to clean the soles of your footwear before walking across dried (or drying) paving to avoid leaving "footmarks".

Most paving materials for driveways will be made of concrete which needs no special treatment for its protection other than that given in the Application Method. However, some appropriately specified natural stone can be used and it is recommended that this natural stone is sealed with an appropriate natural stone sealer. To decide what is the best sealer to use take a look at our sealer guide.

Sensitivity to marking

Even with liberal amounts of water, some types of natural stone, e.g. Granite, Black Limestone and Modak, can be very sensitive and susceptible to marking; from the natural environment, from mortar used for the base or joints or from specialist joint fillers (sweep in jointing compounds).

To greatly diminish the possibility of marking these types of natural stone we strongly recommend sealing the paving with a breathable sealant, if possible before installation but certainly prior to jointing the paving. A breathable stone sealer will provide protection both during the jointing process and afterwards. It will also allow any efflorescence (white deposits caused by natural salts) present in the base and substrate to pass up through the paving material and over time, dissipate harmlessly into the atmosphere. This is a problem that is particularly prevalent in Black Limestone and will regularly appear after installation. It is not caused by the use of EASYJoint.

Our own water-based sealants are ideal for this purpose, we have an excellent range of natural stone and concrete sealers in the EASYSeal range. If in doubt please contact us at info@azpects.co.uk or call us on 01473 760777.

If you were working with a permeable base, the description of EASYJoint being an "All Weather" product is true. However, because you are working on an impermeable base, which will restrict the draining of water, some weather precautions do apply.

You are strongly advised to wait for a dry spell when moderate to heavy rain is not forecast for at least 18 hours (moderate to warm temperatures) or 36 hours (colder conditions) after the application. This is to give the best chance of the water that was used in the application process being able to drain and evaporate from the joint and for the curing process to commence. If further water is added from rainfall during the curing process, there is a risk that the surface of the joint will cure through evaporation but the bottom of the joint will not, leaving a weak result.

When temperatures are freezing or are 3 degrees Celsius and falling, refer to the before you start section.

When working with an impermeable base, the operator has a choice of application jointing methods (wet application method or dry application method) and needs to select the most appropriate jointing method for the job (impermeable base mixes would usually require the user to adopt the Dry Application Method). Whichever method is selected, wait for a dry spell of at least 24-48 hours as appropriate (See specific application method below).

The paving must be protected from the oil inherent in the EASYJoint and the most common method of doing this is with water using the wet application method. However, EASYJoint requires oxygen to cure – Whilst it is wet, it will not set!

Because you are working with an impermeable base, there is a risk that any water used in the jointing application process will evaporate from the surface of the joint allowing the top part to set hard whilst the lower part remains wet (because the water will be slow to drain). The problem is compounded if during the curing process it rains. Because the lower part of the joint is subject to a prolonged wet period with a seal being formed at the top of the joint, the curing process cannot complete as the water at the bottom of the joint will not be able to escape/evaporate . This will cause the "binding" properties of the compound to become compromised.

When to use the dry application method

The dry application method of paving would perhaps be better referred to as the "almost dry application method" because a small amount of water is still used to assist the sweep in jointing compound being swept and falling to the bottom of the paving joints.

As a final check before proceeding to install EASYJoint, sweep in jointing compound, and to ensure this is the correct method for your project, check the conditions meet the following criteria:

1. Daytime and overnight temperatures must not drop to 3 degrees Celsius or less
2. There is a no possibility of rain within 24-48 hours of application
3. Regardless of the above, always ensure the site conditions are suitable for the use of EASYJoint. Refer to the "before you start guide"

Note: EASYJoint continues to harden for several weeks and achieves its full strength after approximately 1 month.

View demonstration video

EASYJoint, sweep in all weather jointing compound, is easy to use but the instructions must be followed carefully. It is strongly recommended that you download from this site the detailed instructions on how to use EASYJoint, especially if you are using it for the first time. You should also watch the product demonstration video.

The site conditions must be appropriate for use. Read the before you start guide before commencing.

When using the Wet Application Method, it cannot be overly stressed to use plenty of water before, during & after the application of EASYJoint. The water acts as a barrier between the EASYJoint & the paving material & prevents the paving being marked. In virtually all cases the liberal use of water is sufficient to prevent any marking to the paving.

Even with the liberal application of water, some paving is very sensitive & it only takes a moments lapse of concentration, or for the paving to slightly dry (not even visibly) & marking may occur. In such instances additional precautions should be taken.

A definitive list of sensitive stone cannot be provided as even the same type of natural stone but supplied from different quarries can react differently. However some Sandstone & Limestone, Granite & polished materials, such as Modak, can be particularly susceptible to marking generally, not only from EASYJoint. Suppliers of such materials often recommend sealing the natural stone prior to installation with an appropriate "breathable" sealant. Refer to the paving supplier for guidance.

For more information on our EASY Range sealer and protectors range visit: EASYSeal

The company cannot be aware of all the applications & materials the product may be used with. It is the user’s responsibility to determine suitability for use. If used in accordance with the instructions, the product should set hard & not affect the aesthetic properties of the material on which it is used, but no guarantee of this is given or implied. Neither the manufacturer nor supplier accepts any liability for; (a) the joint failing as a result of inherent site conditions, (b) any changes in the appearance of the paving resulting from the use of EASYJoint or (c) any visual changes to the joint such as discolouration caused by weathering or the drainage of dirty surface water. If in any doubt test a sample before use.

The compressive strength of EASYJoint is such that it will adequately take the downward forces exerted by pedestrians & domestic cars, but is not designed to form a structural part of the path/driveway. The integrity of the project can only be maintained if the surface material is adequately bedded into the base which in turn is constructed to an appropriate specification.

EASYJoint can be sealed but it is recommended not to apply any type of sealer over the joint for at least a month after it has set hard. Depending on the type of sealant used, EASYJoint may or may not remain permeable.

Installers are strongly advised to apply EASYJoint using the Wet Application Method wherever possible. However, there are circumstances where this method is, or may not be suitable, such as when applying the compound in freezing conditions or in temperatures of 3°C & falling or when working with strong & impermeable bases, particularly driveways.

Refer to the before you start guide for further information and ensure you are using the correct application method for your project.

The soles of footwear may pick up some EASYJoint during the application process. Clean them before walking across dried (or drying) paving to avoid leaving "footmarks". For similar reasons, do not use the same broom that was used to apply the EASYJoint to clear the surface afterwards; it will be contaminated & may leave marks. These marks are likely to be caused by the linseed oil used in EASYJoint, however these stains will disappear over time naturally without the need to use harsh chemicals.

EASYJoint is a well proven product. If the instructions are followed users should achieve a perfectly sound and aesthetically pleasing joint with absolutely no detrimental effect to the paving.

It is important to use the correct method of application when installing EASYJoint. Refer to the How to use EASYJoint guide for details on how to select the correct method of application based on your site conditions and paving type.

No significant hazard.

Avoid contact with skin & eyes. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water & seek medical advice.

May cause irritation to sensitive skin. After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap & water. Wear suitable protective clothing & gloves.

Cold & Wet Conditions increases the setting time considerably, for the jointing compound - freezing weather will cause the process to virtually cease & it can take many days for the paving joints to set hard. However, it will eventually set & the weather 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 will considerably extend the setting times. Again, it will not affect the final qualities of the product in any way provided the water can drain away through the joint so that the product can cure evenly throughout the whole joint at the same rate.

To summarize, in temperatures of 20 degrees C and with humidity of 65%, the joint needs to be free from water for about 24 hours for the curing process to take hold and up to 48 hours for it to complete.

In dry conditions & warm to moderate temperatures & humidity, EASYJoint should be firm enough to walk on within 12-18 hours & will cure very hard within a few days.

Pedestrian Areas

In warm & dry weather, the paving is safe to walk on after approximately 12 - 18 hours and will set hard after approximately 36-48 hours. It will be fully load bearing after approximately 3 days of consistent warm and dry weather.

Domestic Driveways (For vehicles up to 3 tonnes)

Once the curing process is complete and the joint is hard to the touch, keep vehicles off the surface for at least a further 7 days (preferably 10 days).

Pedestrian Areas

In warm & dry weather, the paving is safe to walk on after approximately 12 - 18 hours and will set hard after approximately 18 hours. It will be fully load bearing after approximately 2 - 3 days of consistent warm and dry weather.

Domestic Driveways (For vehicles up to 3 tonnes)

Once the curing process is complete and the paving joint is hard to the touch, keep vehicles off the surface for at least a further 7 days.