sandstone step

**jindru** · 25-01-2011

hi i have a late victorian house with a large sandstone step 5ft. x 3ft tiled in welsh quarry tiles.the past two winters being minus 15 to 20 have resulted in tiles lifting.is there a solution to stop lifting? no pva was used to seal step and flexi fast setting was used.these tiles sat ok for years but now keep lifting in double figure frosts.and of course you can even buy seconds now. help..

**garythetiler** · 25-01-2011

you need to decouple the tiles from the sandstone step by using an uncoupling membrane this will help with the action of freeze and thaw frostt proof adhesive will be needed and flexi grout

**Ajax123** · 25-01-2011

Trouble is with a Victorian stone step - there is unlikely to be a damp proof membrane under it and the stone needs the chance to "breath" otherwise you just trap moisture in the soft stone which freezes in the winter and will eventually blow the top off the stone.

Uncoupling may help but I am not unless you can keep the water out of the stone you are on to a loser with the winters getting harder.

**garythetiler** · 25-01-2011

Originally Posted by Ajax123

Trouble is with a Victorian stone step - there is unlikely to be a damp proof membrane under it and the stone needs the chance to "breath" otherwise you just trap moisture in the soft stone which freezes in the winter and will eventually blow the top off the stone.

Uncoupling may help but I am not unless you can keep the water out of the stone you are on to a loser with the winters getting harder.

some uncouplers allow for this alan Watec® 3E | GUTJAHR Innovative Bausysteme GmbH

**Ajax123** · 25-01-2011

Could be a solution then. I have just saved this in my info data sheets folder along with a couple of the indoor systems. one of them looks perfect for anhydrite.

**jindru** · 26-01-2011

thanks to all for answers .i suspect im on to a loser.I suspected dampness in stone would be suspect.tiles lifting are along front edge ie farthest from heat of building and most exposed.i dont want to start again and replace two steps and decouple so ill cheat and grind off old cement and start again and pray for scottish planet warming cheers