Grouts are just like any other type of product on the open market. There is an endless variety of them. If you look hard enough, you’ll find that virtually every company has products they present as “grouts”. Of course, just like every other product, there is a wide range of what qualifies for “grout”. The properties only have to meet a minimum requirement to be “equal”. However, the actual results may be far from equal.
The most important thing is that you have a way to choose the material that will exceed your requirements without breaking the bank or exceed your estimate when it comes to the installed cost. One good way to do that is to apply a consistent and basic series of questions and look for the materials that give you the right answers. Here are some questions that should lead you to the right grout for your and your client’s specific needs.
1. Is it likely that the installed equipment will cause or exhibit excessive vibration?
Vibration at levels that exceed the equipment manufacturers acceptable range almost always leads to shorter equipment life expectancy. You or your client is installing new equipment or processes expecting a return based on this installations ability to produce at an assumed lifetime. Your choice should be a material that will last given this chance for vibration.
2. Will the operation of the equipment or process produce significant impact?
If the equipment creates impact, the grout will have to be able to absorb that force and not fail to continue transferring forces to the foundation.
3. Are you expecting exposure to any harsh chemicals?
There is a wide range of chemical compounds used across industry. They range the entire PH scale. You will need to select a grout that can withstand the exposure to these materials and still perform its purpose.
4. What will the operating temperature be for this process?
The temperature must not exceed the limit of the grout to maintain its ability to transfer loads. High temps may soften or even destroy a grout that isn’t designed for those temperatures.
5. Do we have the equipment, training and confidence to properly install this grout?
You can pick the perfect grout and it won’t matter if you don’t install it properly. The grout is key to transfer forces to the foundation and if it doesn’t perform, the installation will likely fail.
In Conclusion
These are just a few basic questions that should lead you to the right material for your project. There are many charts and table that can make this process easy. But, understanding what the reasons behind the charts are is important. You can always call an expert for help with this process. As for the last question, get in touch with someone who can provide you with guidance training and equipment to make this whole process easier. “Easier means it’s more likely to be done right.”
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