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Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:24 pm
by musivarius
Hi, first post for me, hope this is in the right section!
I'm a mosaicist, usually I work on indoor stuff but I've started doing pieces for outside and just need some advice.
I'm setting mosaics onto standard patio/paving slabs and need them to be suitable to be set and left out all year round.
I use new slabs, the pieces for the mosaic are about 8mm - 12mm across and all 5mm thick. The are all marble or limestone, occasionally I use small amounts of Travertine.
1. I don't prime the slabs, I check how porous they are first.
2. The adhesive I use is CT1.
3. Once set with this I seal them (LTP stone),
4. Grout with exterior stone cement.
5. Hand grind the surface, just lightly to remove any rough edges
6. Another 1 - 2 layers of sealant
Anybody see any possible problems in this process, anything else I need to do?
Thanks
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:42 pm
by local patios and driveway
Would sealing the slab cause a problem later on regarding trapping moisture under the sealant, not letting the stone dry out?
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:33 pm
by Pablo
LPAD because the mosaic is laid on silicone over the flag it's unlikely any moisture would be able to penetrate that far. I know very little about this method but can't see any structural problems with it. How do you hide the joints between each flag. It would be great if you could post some pictures of your work there's plenty folk on here who'd be interested in seeing it.
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:05 pm
by musivarius
Thanks for the replies.
I don't hide the joints, the mosaics are set to be complete on each slab. My work is just greek and Roman copies, not modern but this is the first time I've found what I think is a perfect format for these in modern houses.
Interior mosaic floors look great but we have so much furniture now that you wouldn't see most of it!
I don't try to be expert in everything hence I'm on here. I can't see any reason why they shouldn't last but I don't want to miss something that would be obvious to someone with experience.
The slabs do have a slight undulation to them, I could grind the surfaces flat but I wonder if I need to? They shouldn't be slippery
I've tried to post the images but my brains given up, I'll have anothe go tomorrow.
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:13 pm
by musivarius
Just tried again and no luck, here's the page addy with the images on
That didn't work either, I'll try tomorrow.
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:30 pm
by haggistini
I upload to photobucket the tap the image code button and paste here!
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:22 am
by seanandruby
can't help thinking that ct1 is an expensive way off doing it, especially if they are being manufactured for selling on. i'm sure simeonocrete would have a less expensive product.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:43 am
by musivarius
I'm open to suggestions for other adhesives to use, yes at a tenner a pop it is expensive! I'm just a bit paranoid about making sure I use the right stuff so the mosaics last.
I've got the images on photobucket but still not quite got the hang of it! I just get the code as text on the post. I've read the bit about how to post but i'm obviously missing something.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:59 am
by musivarius
pics http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h362/musivarius/PIC_0017.jpg
I did it, I did it! I can't remember how but as you can see the image is a bit big, I'll edit it and replace it. Edited to reduce size to below 600 but it still looks huge 
Anyway these are some of the slabs, 440mm diameter and 400mm x 400mm 
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:27 pm
by lutonlagerlout
very nice larry but what do you do with them at this stage?
bearing in mind if the slabs have got to be laid they need to be tapped down?
i like that circular one on the top right
did you cast the circle or get it cut?
an alternative might be to do the mosaic upside down then pour concrete on top like they used to do the fireplaces?
ridiculous idea i know but just thinking aloud
LLL 
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:36 pm
by local patios and driveway
Dry bed screeded plus a bridging bond would hold those down without the need for much more than a push from above.
I like them, where do people use them though?
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:18 pm
by lutonlagerlout
local patios and driveways wrote:Dry bed screeded plus a bridging bond would hold those down without the need for much more than a push from above.
I like them, where do people use them though?
mammy my eyes!!!!
LLL :O
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:16 am
by musivarius
These ones have been done using slabs for a company along the road from me, so the circular ones are from a 1.7m diameter set. The image below shows a few of the other sections, I'm working on a complete set.
I have to work out what patterns fit so the idea is people may order a patio set but with the centre piece a mosaic one. The same with the square pieces, I use standard size slabs so people may get 20 laid but have some mosaic ones added. It's only an extra 5mm on the height, I assume this wouldn't cause a problem laying?
As I said this is a whole new area for me so I've no idea if there would be a demand but it's been interesting to do anyway.
The other one I am trying is to cut some slabs into rough shapes and have the mosaics as fragments which can be set into a feature. Again I've no idea whether there would be a demand but i'm doing a few and then seeing how they go.
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:59 pm
by mickavalon
Nice, look great inthe right kind of design, have you tried contacting Swimming Pool companies. Whats the damage?
Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:39 pm
by lutonlagerlout
very artistic
i would have thought that it would be high end pool types who would have that sort of thing
maybe speak to LSP as he can cut natural stone to any size/shape
LLL