Frostproofer in mortar - Does frostproofer work?

[rawdon51]

Hi all. Having had one nightmare with the builder pointing indian paving in the rain (we've been scraping and scraping with blunt chisels to some effect ever since, but not there yet), we now have some more pointing for the builder to do. I suggested that he should probably get a move on before it got too cold, to which he replied "...that's ok, I can add some frostproofer to the mortar and it'll be fine..".

Is this a professional technique that works, or a bodge?

[Tony McC]

It works, but it should only ever be used when there is no alternative, by which I mean the pointing has to be done there and then, with no chance of a postponement until the weather improves and you can be sure of 24-48hrs where the ambient temp is >4°C (some say 3°C and rising = same thing)

Frostproofers protect the mortar during the initial cure. They do NOT protect the mortar from frost once it *has* cured.

[GB_Groundworks]

frost proofer technically only works down to about -2 degrees celius if i recall and pointing shouldn't be done if its going to freeze, it does happen as the practicalities of finishing jobs etc but the work needs to be protected with heavy hessian sheeting as well

typing at teh same time ^



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1351243164

[lutonlagerlout]

I wouldnt be pointing at all in low temperatures
frostproofer we have used in over sites ,but pointing needs to cure then be struck
when the temperature is low it takes ages to cure
as said 2-3 layers of hessian if freezing is forecast
LLL

[London Stone Paving]

i have always found frost proofer hit & miss. I would tell yourr guy to pull his finger out and get cracking, or it will be next year

[rawdon51]

Thanks for the advice everyone