Best way of fixing slate copings

browfish · 9 Jun 2012

I have built a patio surrounded by block walls with slate paving. I have used small pieces of slate to cap the walls however the mortar that i laid them on was not enough as over the winter they all became loose.
What is the best thing for laying these? bear in mind they are all around 2 foot high so are likely to get sat on! Someone suggested that i should use tiles adhesive which they have had with some sucess but any other ideas?

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browfish
9 Jun 2012
1

Untitled

browfish
9 Jun 2012
1

r896neo · 10 Jun 2012

You need to prime the back of the slate with a sbr and cement slurry as mortar will never stick that well to slate. If you do it like that you can lay them on 3:1 building sand to cement with a splash of sbr in it.

Alternatively tile cement.

k13wjd · 10 Jun 2012

if its just one, Epoxy resin is the answer

browfish · 10 Jun 2012

No, there are about 50 to do.

Thanks, what is SBR ?

r896neo · 10 Jun 2012

Its a bonding agent, its sort of like a waterproof pva for use outdoors, it increases the 'grip' and strength of mortars and renders.

Tile adhesive would give the best grab and if you havce already bedded them down the bed should be perfect for a nice thin 3mm or so of a good quality natural stone tile cement.

As i said slate paving is notorious for not bonding to the mortar which on a patio is not a problem but on steps or walls it is.

Check this out for a guide

http://www.pavingexpert.com/bond_bridge_01.htm

BobbyBrown · 8 Apr 2014

Hi browfish,

Did you sort this problem, I'm having the same issues with some slate coping. Any advice you can give would be great.

wrathkeg · 8 Apr 2014

i have had a similar situation. r896neo's advice is good.

BobbyBrown · 8 Apr 2014

Sounds good, I'll score the back of the coping with an angle grinder as well to try and give it a bit more adhesion.

So you simply paint the layer of slurry on and, while it's wet, bed it into the mortar mix?

wrathkeg · 8 Apr 2014

That's what I did (minus the bit about the angle grinder).

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Best way of fixing slate copings

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