CONCRETE & STONEWORK
GFTK VDW 850 PLUS
10 YEARS OF JET WASHING AFTER INSTALLATION IN THE RAIN
In November 2015 the Heavitree Brewery Plc wanted an extensive new paved beer garden as part of the brewery’ s refurbishment and redevelopment of the George & Dragon Pub in Dartmouth to a‘ Destination Venue’ for food, drink & events. The design for this external space with an area of just over 200 m2, was created by GS Architects who used 25 mm calibrated, random-sized, Black Limestone paving, with a central Millboard walkway and inset lighting, plus 100mm Granite Sett paving for the Entrance & Drop Kerb to the main road.
Following complex structural issues uncovered, as always, during the restoration of the historic stone and timber building that formed the base of the redevelopment, the project was somewhat delayed with additional underpinning and structural strengthening. However, the brewery and their tenants still wanted to aim for the original VIP Event & Opening Night that was advertised and scheduled for the end of November 2015, to be open and trading ahead of the busy Christmas period. They also mandated that there could be no compromise in quality and materials, with all works still to be completed and confirmed in accordance with the specifications.
As main contractor Building & Design Services adapted their programme, but as a result, and despite cold, wet November weather conditions, they would have just 2 days to point and complete all the paving, ready to open, or the VIP Night and Opening would have to be postponed. The project team’ s urgent research led them to NCC Streetscape and the advantages of their unique, GftK paving jointing systems. The decision to use GftK vdw 850 plus was primarily made for two important reasons:
• Firstly, the contractor needed to install the jointing and complete the paving, in just two days, despite the cold, wet November weather – GftK vdw 850 plus was the only jointing material that could meet this onerous requirement, as it can be applied quickly and easily in wet weather, even in the pouring rain, as eventually happened on the day, as you can see in the application pictures – No problem with GftK vdw 850 plus- You can’ t use too much water with this unique jointing material!
• Secondly, the brewery and their tenants needed a paving jointing material that was tough and fully able to resist exposure to frequent pedestrian traffic, regular wheeled and vehicle traffic, plus the inevitable accidental spillages of food and drinks, also as well as being fully resistant to de-icing salts in Winter. Perhaps most importantly for service and durability, the jointing material, had to be resistant to the necessary
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