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My parents recently had an enclosed porch added to their house which has a concrete slab floor with slate flagstones set into it. Unfortunately, for some reason, the contractor decided that the best way to set in the slate was to let the slab cure a bit and then put on the slate and press it in until the top of the slate was even with the top of the concrete. The pieces of slate are about 1 foot apart so it’s not just a grout line between them. The problem is that the flagstones sunk into the concrete by 1/2 to 1 inch. Bad call on the contractors part. The questions now is how to fix it. I thought about putting a cement leveling compound over the entire thing to flatten the floor and then setting new slate in like tile. Increasing the floor thickness a bit isn’t a problem. Also, this is only partially enclosed so the floor will be subject to rain and freezing (Upstate NY).
If anyone has any suggestions, I’d really appreciate it.
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I'd level the slate areas with thinset.
I'm assuming the concrete is level. If so, after etching and leveling, use a 3/4" notch trowel, and set the new slate with thinset.
Luck
*No offense to Mark, but I would not use thinset in that degree of thickness. It simply isn't designed to be a substrate or leveling compound. Also, I have never seenthinset that was rated for exterior use. Check with the manufacturer on this issue.Derek, if I were you, I get get a copy of the TCA Handbook and check out their section on exterior walks and patios, and follow those instructions. They basically call for a mortar base and a latex portland cement bond coat. No thinset.You should also note that the TCA Handbook has a caution about walkways and patios like this where they will be subject to rain, snow and ice. There needs to be special installations for these applications (detailed in the text), which are in too much detail to go into here.Good Luck.
*Thanks for the info. Do you know if the TCA Handbook has details about slate and other stones, or it is just for tile?I'll get a copy of the book and hopefully be able to correct the situation.
*I use TCA for just about any installation of tile, slate, marble etc. They have great cross-sections, and text on what the subs have to do before you get on the job.It can be secured by contacting:http://www.tileusa.com/publication_main.htmThere is also the ANSI Standards book from which the TCA Handbook is derrived. The handbook is cooler, and has neat pictures. The ANSI Standards is maninly text.Hope this helps.
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My parents recently had an enclosed porch added to their house which has a concrete slab floor with slate flagstones set into it. Unfortunately, for some reason, the contractor decided that the best way to set in the slate was to let the slab cure a bit and then put on the slate and press it in until the top of the slate was even with the top of the concrete. The pieces of slate are about 1 foot apart so it's not just a grout line between them. The problem is that the flagstones sunk into the concrete by 1/2 to 1 inch. Bad call on the contractors part. The questions now is how to fix it. I thought about putting a cement leveling compound over the entire thing to flatten the floor and then setting new slate in like tile. Increasing the floor thickness a bit isn't a problem. Also, this is only partially enclosed so the floor will be subject to rain and freezing (Upstate NY).
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.