How to lay travertine pavers?

bow2021

Hi there,

looking at laying some travertine pavers on our concrete slab patio. I’ve heard differing opinions on what to use for this.
1) should I use a mortar mix as its natural stone?

2) use a thin set mortar mix (I’m not even sure what this is)

3) Some kind of tile adhesive?

my other question was should I seal the whole tile front and back, that’s something I’ve seen people talk about with varying opinions.

thanks ☺️

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Comments

Dave-1

Good Evening @bow2021

That would really add pop to your area 🙂

I would be using a mortar mix to lay the stones, Mainly to create a level bed and something for the stones to bond to. What actual size are you going for? Thinner mortar... yeah I am a little puzzled over that one as well, maybe a softer mix so it spreads easily? I would stick to the recomendaded ratios tho.

Tile adheasive I would also give a miss, If you ever want to change out the traveltine pavers then mortar would be much more forgiving.

Does your concrete slab slope towards a particular spot or have drainage in it? Something to work with when laying the pavers.

Let me tag a few others as they will definently have more knowledge on this subject then myself 🙂 @Nailbag , @JacobZ and @TedBear

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @bow2021

Travertine tiles need to be sealed on the bottom and sides during the laying process, then sealed on the top on completion.

Laying them on a cement and sand mix is typically what’s used after the slab has been fully cleaned of any debris.

Nailbag

bow2021

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/49762#Comment_49762

Thank you. Yes there is a slight slope running away evenly from the house and there are 2 storm water risers. The water doesn’t run towards them though as I kept them mainly for being able to inspect the drains themselves when needed. Probably will add skimmer lids or a tiled drain cover.

the pavers are 610 x 406mm and only 12mm thick (was alot more for the 30mm thick)

bow2021

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/49772#Comment_49772

Thank you. This is really helpful. Can I ask how thick the mortar bed should be? I’m assuming not too wet either if it’s holding the pavers weight.

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86963#Comment_86963

Morning @bow2021

I will tag @MitchellMc in as I am sure he knows how thick the mortar should be. 🙂

Dave

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86963#Comment_86963

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @bow2021. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about laying pavers.

It's great to see you've already received assistance from our members.

It's best to speak with the supplier on their recommended installation method. If these were pavers purchased through us I'd be more than happy to contact the supplier for you.

When laying thicker pavers (30mm) on a non-rigid substrate such as compacted soil or roadbase, you would use a mortar/sand and cement bed. For thinner pavers on a rigid substrate like a concrete slab, I'd be inclined to think a tile adhesive would be more suitable. You also have expansion gaps in your concrete slabs, so you'll need to include those in your pavers over those areas; otherwise, the pavers or grout will crack.

At 12mm thick, they are essentially tiles, so if the concrete slabs are relatively flat, I think gluing them to it with adhesive would be the way to go. However, laying them on a bed of sand and cement or mortar would probably be fine; it's just that we typically reserve bedding for pavers, which are thicker.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

bow2021

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108921#Comment_108921

Thank you! Also wasn’t aware of the expansion joints. I would have just tiled over the lot so that’s a great tip. Thanks @MitchellMc

I am going to be paving our courtyard area as well and was going to have that concreted first and then add pavers on top of that. Is it possible to just compact crushed rock and have a sand base? Or use mortar mix on top of crushed rock? @Nailbag

Nailbag

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121786#Comment_121786

Hi @bow2021

@MitchellMc has made some excellent suggestions re: contacting the supplier of the Travertine. They really are the best positioned to advise on the most suitable methods for both your concrete slab and side area for fixing the tiles. As far as a base goes for the side area, a crushed rock thats been packed down has always been the starting baser any paving project.

Nailbag

bow2021

Hi there,

have posted previously and now ready to start tiling. An issue I’m having is the edge of the slab we poured isn’t drying out since I’ve laid the grass. It was bone dry before we laid the grass and is fully cured. Seems the watering of the grass and the moisture from the soil is keeping it wet. Can I still go ahead and lay the tiles? If not what can I do in this circumstance?

thanks.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/50667#Comment_50667

Hi @bow2021,

You'll find that if you were to tile over this area, moisture will be wicked up through the adhesive and grout and could present itself as efflorescence and white marking on your tiles. The correct way to prevent this is to add a waterproof membrane over the surface. The process would be to apply Sika 10kg Sikalastic Waterproof Membrane in two coats to build up a minimum of 3mm thickness. This product can be used over damp concrete. The distance you waterproof from the edge is up to you, but it should be far more than what the water could penetrate. Ideally, the whole slab should be waterproofed, as once the tiles are down and the sun isn't drying out the slab, the water could seep several metres into the slab.

Once the product is cured, you can add Davco 1L Davelastic Tile Adhesive Additive to Davco 20kg SMP Evo Tile Adhesive to adhere your tiles. For grouting, add Davco 1L 4 In 1 Grout Additive to Davco Sanitised Grout.

That should give you a solid solution which will prevent water and minerals from penetrating the tiled surface.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

bow2021

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/87434#Comment_87434

Thanks so much for this @MitchellMc. This is great. We won’t have any sun on the slab until spring so I was thinking I might have to wait all that time so this is a great solution.

i did have another query. The slab itself is pretty even, except at the expansion joints. They raise up a few mm. So when putting a paver on there they rock slightly. Will this be an issue when laying the tiles or will the adhesive help mitigate that? Would it be better to use wet mortar bed? Or is that not possible with the waterproof membrane?
thanks.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/109251#Comment_109251

Hello @bow2021

That rise on the expansion joints has to be addressed before you lay the pavers down. I propose grinding the rise down with a Kango 125mm 8-Segment Spiral Diamond Grinding Cup or you could do it with a traditional cold chisel and break the high points off. The adhesives that Mitch suggested are safe to use over the waterproofing membrane.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

bow2021

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121960#Comment_121960

Thanks @EricL

I was thinking that a a wet mortar bed might be the way to go as I wanted to gain some height above our grass. Would this be ok over the top of the waterproof membrane suggested by @MitchellMc . That could solve the rise in the slab at the expansion joints as well no?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/130029#Comment_130029

Hi @bow2021,

You can lay a cement screed over the waterproofing membrane. Just bear in mind that you can only build up a "wet mortar bed" so far before the weight of the pavers compresses it back down again. You might be best using a cement screed to level out the areas and wait for it to firm up. Then, come back over with your mortar bed.

Mitchell

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