How to use residual jointing compound

ResiDUAL is a reliable product that will perform every time if the instructions are adhered to.

ResiDUAL is made in the UK, and we have sold it for over ten years. We have vast experience of using and recommending this product to our customers. ResiDUAL will perform every time if you follow the instructions given with the product or on the video.

We have some further points to help you achieve fantastic results with this product.

Preparation of the jointing compound

We strongly suggest that you read or watch the instructions supplied by ResiDUAL before you begin. Briefly, the correct method is to take Part A and mix with Part B, then add water, mix again, then add kiln dried sand, and mix again. Watch the YouTube video  for full details of tools and method, follow carefully.

*The instructions clearly state that the compound requires thoroughly mixing several times in the preparation stage*.

Read on for further expert advice:

Curing of the jointing compound

Curing, or hardening off, is an important part of the process, and under ideal conditions curing will occur in 1 day.  Ideal conditions are warm dry days where the max day time temperature is 20 degrees C, and the minimum night time temperature is 10 degrees C

In Spring and Autumn in the UK, we often have warm days of + 10 degrees that cool off rapidly to night time temperatures of 5 degrees or less.

Please note that curing will stop when the temperature is less than 5 degrees C, and is not able to restart until the temperature rises above 10 degrees C again. Please consider this when you plan your work, as some spring and autumn days may only give us 2-4 hours of workable conditions. This may mean that curing will take up to a week during these periods.

Tips for improving curing of jointing compound

However, there are ways to improve the curing of this pointing compound, which we recommend using when conditions are less than ‘ideal’.

1. Keep product warm prior to using

We recommend storing the product indoors prior to using, so that at the start of your preparation, materials are at room temperature. Storing the products in a cold area, such as a garage, shed or outdoors, will inevitably slow down the curing process, so help yourself, think ahead a few days!

2. Add water sparingly

When adding water at stage (2) of the preparation stage, this is to make the compound more viscose, to flow freely into the joints. However, water slows down the curing process, so if working during periods when cold nights are forecast, it may be wise to reduce the water content. As water is sprayed onto the patio before spreading the compound, this will aid viscosity anyway. Never add more water than the recommended 2 cartons advised in the instructions. This will further delay the curing period.

3. Method of mixing

Ideally mix Part A to Part B  then add water, followed by the sand, as per the instructions from ResiDUAL. However as the resin is a water based compound, there is no harm done if the water is added at the end, i.e. Part A to Part B, then sand, then water. This method will allow you to regulate the amount of water that is needed to create the workable consistency you require for the conditions you are working in.

The most important thing is to never add more than the max recommended water i.e. 2 cartons

4. Use kiln dried sand

Using kiln dried sand means you know you have a dry product before mixing in the compound and adding water.  Using any other kind of sand would mean there is already water content in the sand, potentially making a mix that is too wet and therefore it will take much longer to cure.

5. Size of paving joints

The size of paving joint used in your work will determine how quickly ResiDUAL will cure. A wider joint will take more compound and therefore take longer to dry.

6. A special note about pointing swimming pool copings or step treads

As already stated, adding water makes the compound more viscous to aid the flowability of the mixture. When pointing difficult joints you require a thicker mix, and therefore we recommend not adding water in this special case.

Tape up the underside of the joint, or use Bluetack to close the underside of the joint. Paint neat resin to the inside vertical surfaces of the stone where you need adhesion of the compound to create the joint. Squash the compound (made from Part A, Part B and kiln dried sand-no water added) into the joint. This will successfully hold and create the joint you require.

Please note:

If used incorrectly, ResiDUAL compound may inadvertently cause temporary blooming to new paving joints.

This is a temporary issue that will disappear with weathering. However, if instant removal is required please read on for further advice on removal of blooming from paving joints after using jointing compounds

If you have any questions or you would like to talk to one of our team, please call us on 01844 279274 or email us at sales@stoneworld.co.uk.