Stone laying is not a very difficult process. It takes place in several stages in compliance with a certain technology of preparatory work and the installation itself.
The basis for it should be carefully and efficiently prepared. Its surface should be:
- absolutely flat - to detect irregularities use a level, if necessary, they are smoothed with cement-based putty;
- solid, strong, should not crumble or peel off - it is checked with the help of any hard sharp object: they draw two intersecting lines and examine the surface at the intersection point, there may be possible peeling;
- without cracks and any pollution;
- have high adhesion, that is, it adheres well to the surface.
The stone is laid on vertical, horizontal or inclined surfaces. The type of fastening depends on the thickness of the plates and is conditionally divided into three categories:
- 1-1.5 cm - for wall decoration ;
- 2-5 cm - as a floor covering.
Laying Types
Horizontal
There was a time when the technology of embedding the stone directly into the solution was mainly used - a mixture of hydrated lime with sand with Portland cement. This technique allows neither the formation of voids under the stone, nor the film on the solution. The only thing is that you need to remove the protruding mixture along the edges and traditionally wipe the seams.
But over time, resin-based adhesive materials of excellent quality appeared, which became more and more popular. As you know, laying marble requires a special choice of fixing solution, because of its porosity, unaesthetic spots can appear on the surface. So, the new generation of adhesive materials can eliminate the appearance of spots, sagging, discoloration. Many of them have sealants in their composition, which, undoubtedly, has a positive effect on the overall quality of the installation.
Nevertheless, in the case when the stone is laid on a porous base (gypsum, cellular concrete), it is recommended to fill its surface with a layer of self-leveling primer.
The adhesive solution for the most part is applied only to the base with a special notched trowel. Moreover, applying it simultaneously to large areas is not recommended. Apply the solution, as necessary, on a small surface area for mounting a particular stone tile. For example, granite is laid on a surface whose area does not exceed one square meter. This condition is due to the fact that a film forms on a long-lying adhesive solution, which significantly degrades its quality. This is such a serious drawback that if, despite all the precautions, the film is still formed, the solution is completely removed and a new one is applied.
In the case of using some adhesive solutions, taking into account the technological conditions for their use, the back side of the stone slab is lubricated. Thus, automatically there is no need to check the quality of adhesion of glue to the stone itself, for which it would be necessary to lift the already laid stone slabs.
Seams from glue residue can easily be cleaned with a damp sponge (after final hardening, of course) and sealed with silicone elastic sealant.
Vertical
For inclined and vertical surfaces, in addition to all of the above, metal mounts are also used.
Stone tiles can be laid on the walls in two ways:
- Plates are mounted on a surface prepared in advance using a fastener, and the voids between them and the wall are filled with backfill or a special solution.
- The laying of the stone is done by the piece, while it is simultaneously fixed with a clamp or stainless steel wire.
It is important not to forget that before starting work on laying stone slabs, a preliminary test calculation of the required amount should be done and adjusted to all angles.