Masonry Magazine May 2003 Page. 24
GROUTING EQUIPMENT
Grouting - From Silo to Cells
By Tom Inglesby
Contributing Editor
and
Damian Lang
Lang Masonry
Today, more and more grout is being specified on the average masonry project. Because of this, it's even more important now to plan your grouting strategy.
ANY SEASONED MASON CONTRACTOR REALIZES THERE are things they must consider when preparing to grout masonry walls. Here are some of those considerations: whether to mix grout on site or have it delivered by ready mix trucks, processes and equipment to use when mixing on site, and then, how to get the grout into the walls.
The first thing a mason contractor must do is to decide whether to get the grout from the local, ready mix company or to mix it on the jobsite. When you are pouring eight or more yards per pour, as is common when solid filling 12-inch block, it will probably be most efficiently done by using a ready mix company. However, the majority of projects require a large quantity of grout to be installed in a series of smaller pours. This gives the mason contractor the option of mixing on site or having the grout delivered from a ready mix company. How do you decide?
Cost is definitely a factor. When considering the cost of labor to mix on site, grout from ready mix companies is usually cheaper per yard. Ready mix companies in most areas are also cheaper per yard than using silo mixes, such as Spec Mix. So, here's a rule of thumb. If the local ready mix company can deliver the grout at the precise time it is needed without short load charges, then this is generally the best option.