Plumbers and installers may not always have cement on hand. However, it will often be useful when they do. Garry Gregory, packed products director at Tarmac explains why keeping some in the back of the van can be extremely convenient.

Plumbers work with pipes or vents that pass through an exterior wall on a day-to-day basis. Whether it’s waste pipes or water pipes, the job often involves much more than fixing a blocked sink. For instance, when working with piping which passes through an exterior wall, the exit gap needs to be sealed to ensure it’s weather-tight to keep heat in and rain out.

So, let’s look in a little more detail at how cement should be a staple for plumbers and why it’s the ideal product to always keep in the back of the van.

Starting with the basics

Pre-mix cement mortar consists of a dry mix of selected sands, lime, cement and admixtures. While straightforward to use, plumbers should follow some simple steps to ensure a successful finish:

  • Only use as much clean water as you need to make the mortar workable. Don’t forget that more water equals weaker mortar. Avoid this by starting off with a small amount and add more as required.
  • Cement mortar is a safe product, but it still needs to be handled with care. Be aware of the safety issues, wear personal protective equipment and remove any mortar splashes before they set.
  • As with all cement-based materials, mortars must be kept moist. Mortar sets by reacting with water. This process is called curing and requires the mortar filling to be covered with a wet cloth or sheet of polythene. If mortar dries out too quickly it will shrink, leaving a gap around the pipe.

The perfect finish

A number of specialists work with polyurethane foam, and while this is a simple and effective product to use, a neat finish can be difficult to achieve. Polyurethane foam isn’t often an ideal long-term solution as unless painted or sealed properly, natural daylight will cause the product to quickly degrade.

However, if plumbers were to choose a simple ready-mix cement instead, such as Blue Circle Quality Assured Mortar, a far neater and more accurate finish could be achieved. Not only this but cement is a long-term solution, offering a much more durable and weather-resistant solution that requires very little maintenance.

It’s also important to consider ease of application. Ready-to-use mortar will help overcome any potential problems relating to site mixing and controlling proportions, such as excess water and the addition of other materials which affect the final results. Not getting the mix right can result in reduced strength, increased permeability and reduced durability of the hardened mortar.

Always on hand

Positive customer testimonials often refer to jobs that have been completed on time with the property left clean and tidy, which can be achieved by carrying the right tools and materials. For plumbers, larger bags of cement can often be impractical to store in the back of their van. However, a pre-mixed tub of mortar mix often has a longer shelf life and comes in re-sealable plastic tubs, allowing plumbers to use a small amount of product whenever needed. It also means that the product can be easily carried in one hand, reducing risks of accidents by making it easier to transport up ladders or through confined spaces, such as passageways.

We know that plumbers put a lot of pride in their work and always aim to complete jobs to the highest standard. Therefore, it’s important to select a highly workable and cohesive, good-quality mortar mix that can be a great asset for any plumber looking at a more durable, sleek finish for their projects.

For further information visit www. https://tarmac-bluecircle.co.uk