Loose stone coping

[andystephens]

Hi all, we had Indian stone paving laid last year, plus some decorative walling built, with the same stone slabs used as coping. Unfortunately we've noticed it didn't do too well over the winter and much of the coping is loose, along with a few stones used on steps.

What's the best way of rectifying this?

Thanks in advance
Andy

[lutonlagerlout]

your not andy stephens from tring are ye?
LLL

[andystephens]

No, I'm in Chester.

[lutonlagerlout]

remove the loose stuff clean it and re-bed it
LLL

[andystephens]

I'm concerned I might break the thin slabs by trying to remove the existing mortar, or that I can't clean off all the mortar (and therefore not able to re-set them level). Even if I did re-set them, what can I do to stop the same thing from happening again? The paving and wall is only 10 months old. Was it down to weak mortar?

Is there an outdoor equivalent of "no nails" that I can use instead?!

Thanks again
Andy

[lutonlagerlout]

NO!
if they are the thin copings i.e. ones you can lift with one hand easily they are liable to keep coming off when the weather is bad.
i would go for heavier duty ones meself but as with alll things nowdays there is a cost /result matrix
make the mortar 3:1 and prime the wall and the coping with ronafix or sbr
LLL

[GB_Groundworks]

reasons weak mix, walked on or knocked before properly set, insufficent bed or to much loading. clean them off and re bed or if you really want drill and plug them as you bed them but then you will have screw heads showing.

[Tony McC]

Step treads and copings should always be bedded using a high-bond mortar, one that's enhanced with SBR or Ronafix.