Glidevale Protect delivers hands-on cavity tray training for the NHBC

Glidevale Protect’s Training Manager, Andy Mathers, visited the NHBC’s Training Hubs at Hull, Cambridge and Tamworth recently to provide practical training for their teams of bricklaying apprentices. During each day, he led a group practical demonstration to show how correctly installed stepped cavity trays prevent water penetration to the inside face of the wall, demonstrating how the integral weeps within the product work to avoid the build-up of water. At the end of the sessions, Glidevale Protect donated some of its cavity trays to allow the apprentices to put what they’d learnt from Andy into practice, giving them valuable hands-on experience by using products they will likely be installing on site.

Unlike some other manufacturer’s cavity trays where weeps are subsequently fitted to the bottom catchment tray, Glidevale Protect’s brickwork trays have an integral bed weep within the product, allowing water to safely drain to the outer face of the external wall at each stepped tray. The cavity trays are designed with a unique fleximouth mortar barrier on the lower leading edge of the tray which is kept attached during installation and once the mortar has set, the protruding tab can is pulled, leaving a 25mm deep groove to allow flashing to be installed without needing to rake out the joint, which could damage the tray. Andy took the apprentices through a step-by-step installation process during the practical exercise, also highlighting the pitch marks on the back of each tray which aid installation and avoid incorrect positioning.

Jim Smith, Head of Technical from Glidevale Protect said: “As specialists in ventilation solutions, condensation control, energy efficiency and damp proofing for the UK housing market, we’re always keen to get behind activity like this and do our bit to support the next generation. These sessions highlight the enhanced real-life learning apprentices experience through NHBC training hubs and we enjoyed working with the engaged groups of individuals. It’s just one way that we support the industry and our customers – our technical team is always on hand to assist.”

Glidevale Protect offers comprehensive technical support services covering product advice and selection, estimating, and DPC design to meet all regulatory requirements as well as a site take off service, plot-by-plot delivery and on-site toolbox talks to aid installation.

To find out more, call 0161 905 5700, email info@glidevaleprotect.com or follow Glidevale Protect on LinkedIn.