Paving bricks

Installation instructions for TERCA paving bricks

In accordance with the directives for standardisation of circulation-area superstructure areas RSTO, 01 edition 2001
based on the instruction leaflet for pavement and slab pavements, issued 1994
according to VOB DIN 18318, issue 2000
additional technical specifications in construction contracts and road construction: Sett and slab pavements and surrounds ZTV p-StB 2000, issue 2000
An example 3. Applying the base 6. Vibrating in the paving bricks
of TERCA paving bricks (frost layer) using a plate vibrator with mounted
plastic guide-plate
52 mm thick:

1. Excavation

4. Pouring the brick sand

0/2 mm - 0/5 mm quality split gravel 2/5 mm
7. Flushing the joint sand

2. Rim formation 5. Laying the paving bricks, applying and sweeping-in

with paving bricks or non-perforated clinkers NF the brick joint-sand
Sand 0/2 - 0/4 mm; split gravel 1/3 or 2/5 mm;
8. Sweep joint sand into the brick joints
quarry sand and split gravel mixture 0/5 mm Paving bricks
once again
E gap width 3-5 mm

3-5

Practical tips on using TERCA paving bricks

General
TERCA paving bricks are highly durable. Materials with great strength and a high bulk density make TERCA paving bricks insensitive to environmental influences. TERCA paving bricks
are distinguished by a low level of water absorption. An especially robust ceramic bond is produced using high firing temperatures during manufacturing. TERCA paving bricks corre-
spond to DIN EN 1344 and the strict requirements it contains regarding quality tests. Professionally executed paving bricks do not require any special care when they are installed outdo-
ors and exposed to natural weather. They are actually maintenance free. Occasional cleaning is only required in sheltered areas, e.g. when used for residential purposes or in roofed over
outdoor surfaces.

1. Soiling caused by other assemblies
Producing optically demanding paving brick surfaces
requires protecting the brick surfaces during the construc-
tion phase using sufficiently thick construction foil if there is
any danger of soiling through other objects.
But, if mortar or paint does splash on them, they can be
cleaned using commercially available cleaning agents.
Please pay attention to the cleaning agent instructions pro-
vided by its manufacturer. It is generally sensible to pre-wet
and try out the effect of the cleaner on a small trial area.
TERCA paving bricks have a high degree of acid resistance
and will not be damaged by this.
2. Greyness creation on the surface
2.1 Appearance
TERCA paving bricks are colourfast through and through,
due to their material composition and the ceramic firing
used. Still, after installation, a greyness build-up can occa-
sionally occur, which naturally disappears after a short time
through watering. These are due to water-soluble salts
such as sodium, potassium, or magnesium sulphates.
These already exist in extremely small quantities as trace
elements in the clay deposits and can reach the surface
through water transport. Since these are pure salt efflores-
ces, these water-soluble compounds can be washed away
with water in the same way.
Sometimes, bedding material is used that is not free of
effloresce-capable substrates. These can be slowly trans-
ported through the paving bricks and appear on the sur-
face as smut. Depending on the kind of smut, it may also
disappear through natural weathering. Sometimes, plan-
ting stock may be placed on the paving bricks during nor-
mal gardening work. Humus, lime, and other contents
could also lead to crust-like contaminations.
If it is not possible to remove the deposit this way, an effer-
vescent substance reaction has occurred on the paving
brick surface. It is then necessary to remove this stain
through high-pressure cleaning and, in stubborn cases,
semi-mechanically or using stone cleaners. But in any
case, you must consider the installation conditions and the
bedding and joint material used, because the effervescent-
capable substances might have resulted from of one of
these.
3. Road salt deposit creation on the surface
Especially in the spring, it is possible that whitish stains will
appear on the paving brick surfaces. These are often due to
road salt applied during the winter that is still on the surface
or, through capillary action especially during dry weather,
salt that has been re-transported to the surface.
We recommend simply sweeping the surface as a suitable
method. Natural rain will remove the road salt over a
period. Therefore, it is preferable to use gravel or granules
as grit rather than salt. This can be swept up in the spring.
The cleansing effect of rain can be accelerated through
appropriate cleaning procedures carried out in a dry form
or with addition of water. We advise against using thawing
agents containing urea. The use of such thawing agents is
also prohibited in many areas for plant protection reasons.
4. General greasy and oily soiling
Even with normal usage of the paving bricks, stains can
arise through liquids, for instance during summertime gril-
ling or dripping motor oil. Your dealer offers cleansing
agents suitable for removing such soiling. TERCA paving
bricks are neither corroded by nor do they lose their colour-
fastness through such cleaning. In freely exposed surfa-
ces, such stains disappear by themselves.
The joints can become overgrown with grass, especially in
the larger joint widths. This overgrowth adds to the stability
of the joints and creates a harmonious overall picture. But,
if you don’t want such overgrowth, you can scratch out the
joints. However, you must be careful that you refill the joints
with sand afterwards to retain the stability and accessibility
of the paving bricks.
6. Leaking joints
If joint-sand and bedding materials are not suitably mat-
ched, rain can wash the joint sand out of the joints if sand
with a high proportion of fine sand is used and the paving
bricks are put under a lot of dynamic usage. The conse-
quence is drainage of the joints. If this occurs to only a
slight degree, the stability of the paving bricks is not impai-
red. But, in case of a complete draining of the joints, shif-
ting could occur or the paving brick edges could flake off.
Therefore, it is advisable to occasionally monitor the condi-
tion of the joints. If you notice the joints are draining, please
add sand to the paving bricks. If the drainage has progres-
sed too far it might be necessary to newly lay portions,
which may include renewing the bedding in individual
cases. If the work has been properly carried out and was
done using matching materials, the joints will not drain.

2.2 Remedy 5. Greening of the paving bricks

Pure water-soluble salt deposits having reached the sur-
face through capillary action can be removed by sweeping
or washing down. Use a cloth to make a local test to see if
you are dealing with a water-soluble compound, which can
then easily be removed. These kinds of deposits naturally
disappear by themselves through watering. The process
can be accelerated through additional cleaning.
In shady and humid locations, a greening of the paving
bricks might appear. This happens in areas in which the
bricks are not heavily used. Such an appearance is natural
and also occurs in other materials. If you find this bother-
some, simply clean it off. The greening can also be singed
off with fire. The durability of the paving bricks is not impai-
red by the greening.