• SPEC MIX Tuckpoint Mortar—a preblendedmasonrymortarmixcontainingdriedmasonrySandandeitherPortlandcementandhydrat-ed lime or mason cement, as specified.Pigmentscanalsobeaddedwhenspecified
AvailableinTypeM,S,NorO,SPECMIXmason-rymortarsarepackageddryandofferbatch-to-batch consistency. They are suited for alltypesofmasonryconstruction,includingabovegrade, below grade, brick, block, stone andhistorical restoration. Produced under strictmanufacturing standards, SPEC MIX qualitymortars deliver optimal compressive andtensilebondstrengths.
COMPOSITION&MATERIALSSPECMIXproductsaremanufacturedwiththefinest available raw materials, meeting therequirementsofASTMC144,C207,C150,C595,C1329andC91.Thefinalproductiscertifiedtomeet the requirements of ASTM C270 andASTMC1714.SPECMIXproductsaremanufacturedlocal-
lyacrosstheUnitedStatesandCanadausingspecialized blending equipment and folllow-ing strict quality control procedures tomeetproject specifications, contractor expecta-tions and applicable ASTM standards. Testreports and additional product informationfrom each localmanufacturing facility uponrequest.SPECMIXmortarmixdesignsarepro-prietaryinformation.
ColoredMortarSPECMIXuses the strongestandmost stablepigments available. Colors, produced fromhigh quality pigments made of finely milledsynthetic iron oxides, are limeproof, sunfast,inert, stableandmeetorexceedASTMC979criteria.Inordertoconsistentlyachievethedesired
mortarcolor, SPECMIX incorporatespigmentinto the mortar during the factory blendingprocess.Componentsofthefinishedproduct,including the pigments, are individuallyweighed and are then blended and pack-aged dry to ensure the colored mortar isconsistent from batch to batch. This is theoptimal means for quality control since theproduct is environmentally safeand requiresno field measuring. Mix times for SPEC MIXcoloredmortarsare4–5minutes.
SIZESSPEC MIX masonry mortars and coloredmortarsareavailable in80 lb(36.3kg)pack-ages for easy hand loading. For increased
jobsite efficiency and safety, they are alsoofferedin3000lb(1362kg)bulkbagsforusewithanySPECMIXmaterialdeliverysystem.
COLORSSPECMIXcoloredmasonrymortarscoverthefull rangeof thecolor spectrum:brown,buff,tan, black, yellow, orange, red and white.Each color is custommatched and handledonanindividualbasistomeetthearchitect’sexpectations.
BENEFITS• A state-of-the-art batching process andstrictqualitycontrolprocedureshelpensurethat the finished product complies todesignandspecificationrequirements
• Dried sands eliminate the bulking effectassociated with varying degrees of mois-turewithintheaggregate,helpingtomain-tainbatch-to-batchconsistency
• Portable SPEC MIX silos are available topermitconstructioninallclimates
• Pallets and bulk bag containers arecompletelyreusableandareretrievedwhenanewloadofmaterialisdeliveredtoasite
APPLICABLESTANDARDSAmerican Concrete Institute, (ACI), ACI 530.1Building Code Requirements and Specificationfor Masonry Structures and RelatedCommentariesASTMInternational• ASTM C91 Standard Specification forMasonryCement
• ASTM C144 Standard Specification forAggregateforMasonryMortar
• ASTM C150 Standard Specification forPortlandCement
• ASTM C207 Standard Specification forHydratedLimeforMasonryPurposes
• ASTM C270 Standard Specification forMortarForUnitMasonry
• ASTM C387 Standard Specification forPackaged, Dry, Combined materials formortarandconcrete
• ASTM C595 Standard Specification forBlendedHydraulicCements
• ASTM C1157 Standard PerformanceSpecificationforHydraulicCement
• ASTM C1314 Standard Test Method forCompressiveStrengthofMasonryPrisms
• ASTM C1329 Standard Specification forMortarCement
• ASTM C1586 Standard Guide for QualityAssuranceofMortars
• ASTM C1714 Standard Specification forPreblendedDryMortarMixforUnitMasonry
International Masonry Industry All-WeatherCouncil (IMIAC) - Recommended Practicesand Guide Specification for Hot and ColdWeatherMasonryConstruction
Notes• Test method C780 is acceptable forpreconstruction and constructionevaluation of mortars for plain andreinforcedunitmasonry
• There is no ASTM method for determiningtheconformanceornonconformanceofa
field prepared mortar to the propertyspecificationofASTMC270
• Compressivestrengthvalues resultingfromfield tested mortars do not represent thecompressivestrengthofmortarastestedinthe laboratoryorofthemortar inthewall.Physicalpropertiesof field samplemortarsshould not be used to determine compli-ancewithASTMC270,whichis intendedascriteria to determine the acceptance orrejectionofthemortar
ENVIRONMENTALCONSIDERATIONSMost SPEC MIX products are produced andmanufactured with local raw materials thatare extracted within 500 miles of the jobsiteand meet their respective ASTM standards.Only specially-ordered raw materials can besourcedgreater than500miles fromtheproj-ect jobsite. Empty bags and wooden palletsare returned to the plant for reuse, reducinglandfillimpact.SPECMIXproductsmaycontainrecycledmaterials. Use of SPECMIX productscan contribute points toward LEEDª projectcertification.
5. Installation
PREPARATORYWORKDeliver products in manufacturer’s original,unopened,undamagedcontainers,withidentifi-cation labels intact. SPEC MIX products arecustom packaged to meet specificationrequirements. Handle and store productsaccording to SPEC MIX recommendations.Keep dry, covered and protected from theweather and other environmental hazardsthatcouldcausedamage.Whenstoredandprotected as recommended, SPEC MIX
productshavea9monthshelflife.Verify that site conditions are acceptable
forinstallation.Donotproceedwithinstallationuntilunacceptableconditionsarecorrected.The mortar type should correlate to the
particularmasonryunittobeused,ascertainmortarsarecompatiblewithcertainmasonryunits. The specifier shouldevaluate the inter-action of themortar type andmasonry unitspecified.Masonryunitswithahighinitialrateof absorptionwill havegreater compatibilitywithmortarofhighwaterretention.The material properties that influence the
structuralperformanceofmasonryarecom-pressivestrength,bondstrengthandelasticity.Since the compressive strength of masonrymortar is of less importance than bondstrength,workabilityandwaterretentivity,thelatter properties should be given priority inmortarselection.Mortarselectionshouldbebasedondesign
requirements and with due considerationgiventothecodeandspecificationprovisionsaffectedbythemortarselected.
Mock-upsA sample of the proposed product will beprovided by the manufacturer for onsitepreparation of a sample panel for architec-tural approval and testing, if required.Preparationofthispanelwithallmaterialsandsystems that will be employed in the finalproject is imperative. Retain themock-up orfield sample through the completion of the
project.
METHODS
MixingInstructions:
1. Useamechanicalbatchmixertoensurehomogeneity, workability and goodboardlife.
2. Add the minimum amount of clean,potablewaterforoptimumworkability.
3. Mix for five minutes consistently frombatchtobatch.
4. Tool mortar joints when the surface isthumb-print hard. Keep tooling timesconsistent.
5. Hand mix mortar only with writtenapproval by the specifier who shouldoutlineprocedures.
6. Use mortar within 2.5 hours after initialmixing.
7. Retemper mortar only when mixingwaterislostduetoevaporation.
8. Donotretempercoloredmortar
PRECAUTIONSUsage• Use of a batch type mixer and a mixingtime of 4–5 minutes is required for bestresults
• The finished color should not be analyzeduntil after 7 days and after specifiedcleaning procedures have been followedconsistentwiththemock-uppanel
• Uniform color requires consistent materialproportioning
• Maintain uniform mix times and wateradditionrates
• Tool mortar joints when surface is thumb-printhardandkeeptoolingtimeconsistent
• Retempering colored mortar by addingadditionalwaterisnotrecommended
• Handmixingof themortar shouldbeper-mittedonlywiththewrittenapprovalofthespecifier, who should outline hand-mixingprocedures
• Mortar should be cured aminimum of 28days
• When using water in the cleaningprocedures,usepotablewateronly
• Donotcleancoloredmortarwithmuriaticacid
Safety
IMPORTANT! READ BEFORE USING This productcontainsPortlandcement.Contactwithfresh-ly mixed product can cause severe burns.Avoiddirectcontactwithskinandeyes.Ifthisproduct should contact eyes, immediatelyflush with water for at least 15 minutes andconsult a physician. For skin exposure, washpromptly with plenty of soap and water.Remove soaked clothing promptly. If thisproductburnsyourskin,seeaphysicianimme-diately. Thisproductmaycontain silica. Silicadustifinhaledmaycauserespiratoryorother
health problems. Prolonged inhalation maycause delayed lung injury, including silicosisand possibly cancer. A N95 approved dustmask,eyeprotection,and rubberbootsandgloves are recommended when using thisproduct.MaterialSafetyDataSheetscanbeviewedonlineatwww.specmix.com
KEEPOUTOFREACHOFCHILDREN.
WARNING: This product contains chemicalsknown to the State of California to causecancer, birth defects or other reproductiveharm.
BUILDINGCODESCurrent data concerning building coderequirements and product compliance maybeobtainedfromSPECMIXtechnicalsupportspecialists. Installation and use of SPEC MIXproductsmustcomplywith the requirementsofapplicable local, stateandnationalcodejurisdictions.
6. Availability & Cost
AVAILABILITYSPECMIXproductsareproducedlocallyacrosstheUnitedStatesandCanada,usinghightechblendingequipmentandfollowingstrictqualitycontrol procedures tomeet project specifica-tions, contractor expectations and applicableASTMstandards.SPECMIXmasonrymortarsandSPEC MIX silo delivery systems are availablenationally,withlocaldistributiontoeverymajorU.S. andCanadianmarket. Contact SPECMIX,Inc.,forinformationorvisitwww.specmix.comtolocatealocalrepresentative.
COSTMarketpricingand installedcost informationmaybeobtainedfromalocalSPECMIXrep-resentative or through SPEC MIX, Inc., bycalling888-773-2649.
7. WarrantySPECMIX, Inc.warrants thisproduct tobeofmerchantablequalitywhenusedorappliedinaccordancewith the instructionshereon. Thisproduct is notwarrantedas suitable foranypurpose or use other than the general pur-poseforwhichitisintended.Liabilityunderthiswarranty is LIMITED to the replacementof itsproduct(aspurchased)iffoundtobedefec-tive,orat the shippingcompany’soption, torefund thepurchaseprice. In theeventofaclaim under this warranty, notice must begiven to SPEC MIX, Inc. in writing. THISWARRANTYISISSUEDANDACCEPTEDINLIEUOF
ALLOTHEREXPRESSWARRANTIESANDEXPRESSLYEXCLUDES LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES.
8. MaintenanceProperly mixed and installed masonry unitsand mortar require little maintenance.Depending on service conditions, masonrywalls may require periodic cleaning andtuck-pointing. Clean masonry with potablewateronly.Donotusemuriaticacidtocleancoloredmortar.
9. Technical ServicesSPECMIXisproducedunderstrictmanufactur-ingstandards,andcompletequalitycontrolisin effect with each batch. A digital printoutdisplaying the proper proportions per batchmay be kept as a permanent record andproduced if requested.Only SPECMIX offersthis lab controlled production system forpreblendedmasonrymaterialsonanationalbasis.Contact SPECMIX, Inc.,ora local SPECMIXrepresentativeforinformation.
10. Filing Systems• SmartBuildingIndex• MANU-SPECª• Additionalproduct information isavailablefromthemanufactureruponrequest.
