[RE-wrenches] crumbling ballast blocks

[Ken Schaal]

Regular cement blocks absorb water, freeze thaw cycle destroys them.

Paving blocks are made with silica fume, denser than cement,dont absorb
water, don't suffer freeze thaw damage. They are designed for  walkways and
driveways.
There are cement looking pavers , 12x12 x 2" ,also made with fume.
Any block plant should be able to make balast blocks to the needed specs.
Silica fume is a waste product of coal combustion
..ie cheap, but effective.
Ken schaal

On Jun 30, 2018 6:29 PM, "cwarfel" <cwarfel at entech-engineering.com> wrote:

I am pretty sure it is the freeze-thaw cycle that the blocks are exposed
to. I have inspected hundreds of system in the Northeast and this is a
recurring problem. It has to be part of the maintenance protocols or there
will be insufficient weight to resist the wind uplift forces.  Chris

On 6/30/2018 6:17 PM, Chris Schaefer wrote:

Kirk,

Had the same thing happen to me on a commercial ballasted system installed
back in 2004. Had to be moved around to allow installation of a new roof
system. Replaced all the ballast in 2017. I'm located in Western NY, thus
the same weather you see. The blocks were on a stainless steel pan of which
the array was attached to. I've plenty of ideas as to why they broke down
but no real evidence. I expect it to happen again. Does make me wonder
about the new ballast systems that still call out for the blocks as
ballast. Perhaps poly sand bags?

Christopher

On Wed, Jun 27, 2018 at 4:20 PM, Kirk Herander <vtsolar at icloud.com> wrote:

> All,
>
> I have a 6 year old ballasted roof system in which about 50% of the solid
> cap blocks(16”L x 8”w x 4”D) are cracked and crumbing, some are close to
> rubble. I assume it was a bad batch, but has anyone seen this before? What
> might be the preventive remedy in the future? A coating of some sort?
>
>
>
> *Kirk Herander*
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-- 

Chris Schaefer’s
<http:www.solarandwindfx.com>

*Tel/Fax 585-229-2083 or Cell 585-748-1870  *
*5115 South Hill Road ~ Canandaigua New York 14424 **www.solarandwindfx.com
<http://www.solarandwindfx.com> ~ E-mail: chris at solarandwindfx.com
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-- 

         Christopher Warfel, PE
       ENTECH Engineering, Inc.
PO Box 871, Block Island, RI 02807
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