Sbr neat - Sealing underneath granite slabs

harrisons6 · Post: # 106151Post **harrisons6** Sun Sep 20, 2015 1:48 pm

hi to everyone. i have brought some granite paving from nustone its 20mm thick i am about to lay it but decide to do some reading on granite first. i have read that there are a few issues with laying it more so because it is 20mm. i am told i could get staining on the top of slab because it draws up from the underneath. if this is so could i treat the granite with neat sbr to prevent this happening if so should i let it dry first or lay when wet. the base is prepared in a proper manner, slabs will be laid in mortar mix on top of sharp sand, with a 5mm gap. i have laid paving before but never granite, thanks in advance. peter

harrisons6 · Post: # 106177Post **harrisons6** Mon Sep 21, 2015 5:38 pm

hi again is this just a dumb question I have asked? or does nobody know the answer. don't intend being rude but would just like to know either way. thanks peter:(

mickg · Post: # 106184Post **mickg** Mon Sep 21, 2015 9:16 pm

yes its advisable to SBR the rear side of granite prior to laying

PS... we work for a living during the day and answer questions in our spare time

harrisons6 · Post: # 106188Post **harrisons6** Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:29 pm

thanks for that mickg no offence was intended I just thought maybe I had asked a stupid question . would I let it dry first or use when still wet, thanks again peter

mickg · Post: # 106189Post **mickg** Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:36 pm

we apply it to the rear side and lay the paving onto the concrete bed straight away, make sure you have a bucket of clean water and brush by your side to remove any SBR what may get onto the surface of the granite as once its dried its virtually impossible to remove it

non taken

we laid this granite patio a few years ago
granite patio

harrisons6 · Post: # 106190Post **harrisons6** Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:43 pm

thanks again mickg. that's a great looking job. peter

lemoncurd1702 · Tue Sep 22, 2015 7:19 am

Mick, do you literally apply the sbr straight from the tin or do you make a slurry with it?

mickg · Post: # 106200Post **mickg** Tue Sep 22, 2015 7:25 am

pour the SBR into a bucket and brush it onto the rear of the paving

harrisons6 · Post: # 106204Post **harrisons6** Tue Sep 22, 2015 3:20 pm

could I also ask I have 20mm granite 600x900, 600x600, 600x300, and 300x300.
do they break very easily when tapping down, I will be using a rubber maul. and do you dilute the sbr at all. thanks peter

mickg · Post: # 106211Post **mickg** Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:17 pm

no they are very hard to break and you should have no problems using a rubber maul, but this will depend on the bedding mixture, if its too dry and you continue to tap into position due to having the bed to high then it will become very rigid and you could break a flag so proceed with caution and common sense

SBR has the consistency of milk so does not require diluting

harrisons6 · Post: # 106214Post **harrisons6** Tue Sep 22, 2015 10:33 pm

thanks again mickg for your help on this it has put my mind at ease about laying the granite. I have taken delivery of slabs today and they look really good, I also had the sharp sand delivered today. there`s skip in the front drive, base prepared so all ready to go next week all I need now is a week of decent weather. now you have given me this help I feel more confident about the project and looking forward to it so again thank you.. peter