Wetting of Siporex blocks before blockwork

Siporex blocks are wetted before being laid in construction of walls.

Siporex is lightweight autoclaved aerated concrete which is completely cured, inert and stable form of calcium silicate hydrate. It is a structural material, approximately one quarter the weight of conventional concrete, composed of minute cells which give the material light weight and high thermal insulation properties. It is available as blocks and pre-cast reinforced units, i.e. floors, roofs, walls and lintels. It has the following advantages:
1) Light weight
2) Excellent thermal insulation
3) Workability
4) Fire resistance
5) Dimensional accuracy and stability
6) Speed of erection
7) Reduction in labor
8) Factory quality control

Since Siporex blocks have a moisture content of 25 - 40 % of its weight when the material is delivered, sprinkling water over surface will be enough. On the other hand if it is burnt clay bricks, as a good quality practice, the burnt clay bricks should be soaked in water for adequate period so that the water penetrates to its full thickness and quench the un-slaked (un-reacted) chemical constituents /voids of the bricks to full extent.
If these dry bricks are laid in construction of walls or other masonry works without soaking in water, they absorb the moisture from the cement mortar that is used to bind the brick courses. This ultimately may results in hollow & weak mortar joints that are not very strong in bond.