How do i clad asphalt steps? - Paving on steps

[oswald]

Hi,

we want to clad some existing steps (to upper ground front door) with sawn yorkstone paving, cut to fit. the steps have been sealed with asphalt at some stage in the distant past, (i have a photo but not sure how to post it), and it looks sound and in good condition, but, you know, ugly as hell...i am concerned if i take it off, that there will be serious problems with rain seeping into the lower ground floor of the building, and i don't think fixing slabs with cement is a good idea, as the asphalt will expand and contract over time? i was thinking there might be some form of elastic adhesive stuff to bond the new sawn risers and treads to the existing asphalt. some of it will need to be quite thick, and at other places fairly thin, as the risers are all different heights at present, so will need to be evened out. or should i rip off all the old asphalt and reseal whatever i find underneath before recladding the steps? any ideas? many thanks, oswald

[TarmacLady]

Oswald, d'you have any idea what the underlying material of the steps is? Not sure I've ever seen asphalt-covered steps in nearly a decade.... You're spot on that sticking anything to the asphalt is not the best idea, as not only will the asphalt move independently of both the substrate AND the yorkstone, but is very VERY likely to be incompatible with whatever the adhesive is. (paving asphalt is REALLY not designed to be covered up with anything except more asphalt...!) Can't help but think that you're likely to be better off to get rid of the asphalt, seal whatever's underneath, then clad with the yorkstone --

[oswald]

thanks, tarmac lady...i think...

i believe its a type of hot-mix applied asphalt, like a roofing felt, but obviously for pathways. i guess it's a 60's or 70's remedy from when perhaps rainwater was seeping in to the lg floor under the front steps.

yours, worried...

oswald

[SUE @ EASIPOINT]

Hi Oswald

We supply a product, Easipoint Slabfix, which should do the trick.

It's a hand applied 2 part polyester mortar used for bedding and fixing paving, has a high value adhesion to asphalt and can be applied in thicknesses between 5mm - 25mm.

If you'd like any more info give us a call on 01257 224900.

Cheers

Sue

[simeonronacrete]

Good news...we can also provide you with a product, cement based, which will also work in the low temperatures we're currently experiencing.

Have a look on our website at Monoset RX for Bedding

Hope this helps.

[TarmacLady]

Glad for everyone's sake that I'm wrong this time.

(Enjoy it; doesn't happen often!)
:p

[oswald]

thanks all for taking your time with my problem. i'll check it out and wait for the weather to warm up a little before taking the plunge.

thanks again,

[Tony McC]

Amy, are you confusing US "Azfault" with British "ashfelt"? Although it's referred to as aspahlt, it's actually a form a bituminous felt of a heavier grade than that used for roofing work. Also known as "Tanking".

There used to be a superb online explanation of the difference in bituminous terminology between the Nort Americans and the rest of the world, but it seems to have been taken down. From memory, one of the asphalt flooring products used quite widely in the UK is known as TLA in the States.

That could be a nice little project to keep you out of mischief while you;re doing nowt else, Amy - a replacement US-UK bitmac/asphalt dictionary/thesaurus!

[TarmacLady]

You're absolutely correct -- I had the wrong stuff in mind -- but even if it's felt, I still haven't heard of cladding steps with it -- nor do I know of a US product that could effectively go over the top of it.

Glad to know I'm doing nowt else! Here I thought volunteering at school, volunteering for (US) football, and volunteering for baseball (no, it's NOT rounders!) as well as ordinary life was keeping me busy.

Pass those bonbons and turn up the volume on Eastenders, then...!:p