General
General
Q1: Where can I get pricing for Techo-Bloc products?
A1: Every independent contractor, engineer, and hardscaping professional acts as an individual and therefore their pricing will vary. Techo-Bloc is unable to standardize pricing.
Back to top
Q2: How can I purchase Techo-Bloc products?
A2: There are more than 200 Techo-Bloc dealers across twelve northeastern states and throughout Ontario and Quebec in Canada. At these Techo-Bloc dealers, you will find our products on display, giving you an opportunity to see what a walkway, wall, and other designs look like in a landscape setting. Our dealers can also provide assistance with calculating materials, tools, and planning.
Back to top
Q3: How can I plan for tiered walls?
A3: Tiered walls are multi-level arrangements of two or more walls. Provided that you have model soil conditions, we recommend that the second wall be located directly behind the first wall at a distance of at least two times higher than the first wall.
Back to top
Q4: Should I have an engineer assist in designing a retaining wall?
A4: Yes, especially if the wall will be more than 4\' in height. A professional engineer can provide you with the necessary (local code) requirements, provide design planning to achieve the look you desire, and give you peace of mind that the job will be done correctly.
Back to top
Q5: Can I build a freestanding wall with Techo-Bloc products and which stone should I use?
A5: Our Mini-Creta Plus is a double-sided wall stone in both 3" and 6" sizes and is easy to install. Mini-Creta Plus can be used to build straight and inclined walls with inward and outward curves.
Back to top
Q6: To seal caps to retaining walls, what does Techo-Bloc recommend using?
A6: We recommend using Bulldog Grip/PL Premium concrete adhesive for strength and flexibility in securing your wall caps.
Back to top
Q7: Can I create a curved wall with Techo-Bloc wall systems?
A7: All Techo-Bloc wall systems can be used to build walls with either inner or outer curves. For outside curves, we provide tapered blocks, while inside curves can be formed by placing the front corners of the blocks together and gapping the blocks from behind.
Back to top
Q8: Can I build 90° corners with Techo-Bloc retaining wall systems?
A8: Our pallets of Creta, Mini-Creta Plus, Quarry Stone 100 and 200 mm, and Mini-Blok all contain corner units that can be used to construct both left- and right-hand corners. The units are set in place by using a concrete adhesive; we recommend Bulldog Grip/PL Premium.
Back to top
Q9: Should I use a drainage system behind my wall?
A9: Techo-Bloc recommends using a draining tile behind the wall at grade level.
Back to top
Q10: How can I build steps into my retaining wall?
A10: You may use any Techo-Bloc retaining wall stones to construct steps. When building a staircase, follow these security measures: 1 - In poor soil conditions, a geotextile must be installed over the excavated area to eliminate cross-contamination of the soils. 2 - Every riser should be built with the wall as one unit to create a monolithic structure. 3 - To ensure the structure and the compaction of aggregates are stable, biaxial geogrid should be installed at strategic locations. 4 - All Antique Step units and blocks should be clean of all debris and glued with cement adhesive. 5 - Investigate local codes regarding step height, depth of tread, and handrail requirements.
Back to top
Q11: What does Techo-Bloc recommend using to backfill a wall?
A11: We recommend that the first 12" behind the wall be backfilled with at least 1/2" to 3/4" of clean stone. This will assist in easing any hydrostatic pressure. It is best to use compacted soil in the area directly behind the stone.
Back to top
Q12: What is geogrid?
A12: Typically made of HDPE or polyester, geogrids (e.g. Mirafi 2XT) are open-celled, directional fabrics that are placed between the layers of block at different intervals to stabilize the soil behind the retaining wall and secure the wall face to the earth being retained. Geogrids are laid out perpendicular to the wall face within the compacted soil behind the wall. The height of the wall being constructed, soil characteristics, and the pressure on the wall caused by the slopes, structures, and/or paved areas all affect the proper placement of geogrid. Geogrid is available through Techo-Bloc and professional engineers.
Back to top
Q13: Are there any height restrictions that I need to respect to build a segmented wall?
A13: With proper installation and design planning, Techo-Bloc segmental walls may be constructed as high as 30 feet high. It is highly recommended that you consult with a qualified engineer and/or contractor to assist you in proper execution of your project. For information on using any of Techo-Bloc’s retaining wall products without the use of geogrid, click here.
Back to top
Q14: Is there a required footing to be used for Techo-Bloc wall systems?
A14: Techo-Bloc recommends a minimum 12" of compacted stone base for all our segmented retaining wall systems.
Back to top
Q15: What is the whitish residue that I have noticed on some of my Techo-Bloc pavers?
A15: This residue is often referred to as efflorescence, and is both normal and common in concrete and clay brick products. This phenomenon is caused by the natural salt minerals present in the materials used in the production; it is not a product defect nor is it harmful to Techo-Bloc pavers. The residue will actually fade away with time (within 6 months to a year). We recommend using Techni-Seal’s Efflorescence Cleaner, which can also be used as a multi-purpose cleaner. Techo-Bloc is unable to warrant against the presence of efflorescence.
Back to top
Q16: Can I use Techo-Bloc pavers on my pool deck? What are the benefits to doing so?
A16: Using Techo-Bloc pavers will not only provide a beautiful pool deck, it will create a safer surface that prevents slipping. In addition, Techo-Bloc pavers provide a cooler walking area and can handle moisture better than concrete surfaces. For a gorgeous pool coping, we suggest our Neptune cap stone or our Bullnose cap with rounded edges. Be sure that the base material surrounding the pool is well compacted prior to installing the pavers. To provide added security to your pool deck, safety covers may be installed over Techo-Bloc pavers using special anchors.
Back to top
Q17: Is it possible to lay Techo-Bloc pavers over an existing concrete walkway that is in good shape?
A17: Even though we do not recommend doing so, it is possible. There are two major things to consider: First, this will raise the project site by about 2" to 3". Second, the contraction that can result in the concrete slab in colder weather will, in the same way, affect the pavers. Therefore, you must also take into consideration doorways or other areas that may be affected.
Back to top
Q18: What about removing snow from Techo-Bloc pavers?
A18: Just like concrete and asphalt pavements, Techo-Bloc pavers can be plowed and shoveled. Actually, the edges and joints around the pavers assist in melting snow and ice. When using a contractor for snow removal, it is recommended to verify that their equipment uses teflon blades to avoid scratching the pavers. Using de-icing salt (sodium chloride or calcium chloride) to remove snow and ice will not harm Techo-Bloc paving stones.
Back to top
Q19: What can be done to remove moss from the joints of my Techo-Bloc pavers?
A19: There is little that can be done in damp, shaded areas to prevent moss from continuously growing. However, you can try using 10 parts water to 1 part chlorine bleach to remove the moss. To resolve the problem permanently, consider professional advice to correct the moisture that encourages the growth of moss.
Back to top
Q20: Is it possible for weeds to grow between Techo-Bloc pavers?
A20: Techo-Bloc recommends using polymeric sand in the joints of your pavers to minimize the growth of weeds and grass.
Back to top
Q21: Are there advantages to sealing Techo-Bloc paving stones?
A21: Sealing your Techo-Bloc pavers will help prevent staining. Techo-Bloc recommends keeping extra Techo-Bloc paving stones on hand in the event that you encounter unacceptable staining, so that you can easily replace any pavers. (Dot lines change slightly—it’s just the natural order of things. Making sure all your pavers are from the same batch will help ensure the color consistency of the project.)
Back to top
Q22: Should I use a filter fabric under my installation, and if so when and where should it be used?
A22: Techo-Bloc strongly recommends using a filter fabric (e.g. Mirafi® 500X) under pavers to prevent the base from deteriorating and failing. The filter fabric should be laid on the top of the compacted soil in the excavated area to help control the aggregate base material from passing into the soil sub-grade (especially in areas that contain mostly clay).
Back to top
Q23: What sand is recommended to use between Techo-Bloc pavers?
A23: Use Techo-Bloc’s Stabilizing Sand. When it hardens it allows minimal weed growth between the joints. For replacing existing joint sand with our Stabilizing Sand, Techo-Bloc suggests removing 1" to 1-1/2" of the surface from the pavers before reinstallation. This can be accomplished with the careful use of a pressure washer, making sure you do not disturb the bedding sand. Using an insufficient amount of polymeric sand will not achieve the recommended cohesive strength needed to stabilize the sand joint. Carefully read and follow the directions of the product prior to beginning the project.
Back to top
Q24: What should I use for the sand setting bed?
A24: Use coarse concrete sand, which should be evenly spread and leveled to 1" thickness. Be careful not to compact the sand setting bed and do not use stone dust or screening. These will cause improper drainage and your Techo-Bloc pavers will not set properly.
Back to top
Q25: How much modified stone base material and sand should be used in installing walkways, patios, and/or driveways?
A25: Techo-Bloc recommends a minimum of 6" to 8" stone base for patios and 12" for driveways, while the setting bed should be at least 1" thick. Be sure to have sufficient Techo-Bloc Stabilizer Sand to fill the joints between your Techo-Bloc pavers.
Back to top
Q26: Is it possible to use Techo-Bloc pavers for a driveway?
A26: Absolutely. For residential driveways, be sure that you use the recommended 12" compacted base material.
Back to top
Q27: What is the difference between Techo-Bloc pavers and stamped or patterned concrete?
A27: Stamped or patterned concrete are merely slabs of concrete with a design and/or pattern. These are prone to problems of deterioration and fracturing, especially in freeze/thaw environments. Techo-Bloc paving stones are guaranteed against fracture or deterioration. Techo-Bloc pavers can be moved and replaced when needed (e.g. for the installation of utility wires or an in-ground sprinkler system, something concrete pavements does not allow you to do).
Back to top
Q28: Is the color consistent throughout Techo-Bloc pavers?
A28: All Techo-Bloc products (paving stones, wall stones, slabs, and edges) are manufactured with a process that creates a complete pigmentation throughout the entire stone. As a result, the color will not fade over time.
Please note that Stone Edge products are not manufactured using our color processing.
Back to top
Q29: Why are Techo-Bloc pavers called interlocking concrete pavers?
A29: It is not the shape that makes Techo-Bloc pavers interlock, it is the actual system. When properly installed, the combination of the paving stones, bedding sand, joint sand, and edge restraint allows Techo-Bloc pavers to interlock.
Back to top
Q30: What makes Techo-Bloc pavers
the ultimate paving stones?
A30: Techo-Bloc pavers are engineered to handle the freeze/thaw that occurs in changing climates. As long as they are properly installed, the stones will remain adaptable, even, and stable for years to come. The joints between the pavers create flexibility, which avoids cracking, while still allowing subtle movement. Techo-Bloc pavers are nearly 3 times stronger than poured concrete, having a minimum compressive strength of 8,000 psi and a maximum of 5% water absorption
Back to top
|
