Inspection of Stone

Each piece of natural stone is unique; each slab, pebble or shingle tile is different to the next. With this quality in mind, attention must be paid to the calibration or finished detail before the installation process has begun. An inspection of your purchase is highly recommended prior to installation. The client is deemed to have accepted ownership upon delivery and installation, no claims of fault with the products supplied by Stone Concepts - Australia will be processed after the stone has been installed.

Sub-strate or Work Site Requirements

For a superior finish to be achieved, it is essential that all concrete, cement screeds or sheet sub-strate flooring (i.e. yellow tongue particle or compressed cement board) is of sound and solid composition; which is clear of all traces of paint, dirt, grit, grease and; or any contaminants which will hinder the installation process or surface key of the stone adhesive. All traces of contaminants are to be removed prior to installation by scarifying or sand-blasting, on extra smooth surfaces it is recommended that a chemical key be achieved by means of a pro-active primer, which will bind the adhesive to the surface with maximum strength. Virtually all areas should be primed to insure against any delaminating occurring, the only exception to this rule is when installing over most types of Water-proofing Membranes; which has no absorption and will not accept the primer, and there is no need to use primer in this instance.It is imperative also, that all areas subsequent to installation are deemed to be plumb, true and flat, within reason. Detection of any plan of site issues, should be corrected prior to installation, with reference given to humps or dips in the surface, be it vertical or horizontal. The final product will reflect all imperfections in the Sub – Strate, as the Stone Concepts products are final coat applications and are best achieved by using thin bed adhesive systems.

Adhesives

The installation is carried out using high strength, latex modified non-slump adhesive, several different coloured (grey or off white ) products are available and can be sourced to assist with the finish of your particular Stone Concepts installation.( i.e. grey for dark stone and off-white for lighter tone or beige coloured stone.)Most installations have thermal or construction movement issues, these include suspended slabs, external and ‘wet’ areas(Water-proof Membranes), these require the adhesive have a latex additive (liquid) mixed with the water then added to the adhesive powder, 20:1 for minimum movement areas or total liquid latex additive mixed directly to adhesive powder for high movement areas. The direct application of liquid latex to the adhesive powder accelerates the setting times, monitor this and only spread enough adhesive as can be covered before skinning of the adhesive occurs, it is recommended to test all procedures before commencing to lay the stone, and can save un-necessary problems happening.

Grouting - Not Applicable to Dry Stack Products

Grouting is the final process in creating a solid surface which is an impenetrable layer; it keeps moisture out and away from the adhesive layer, as well as maintaining the product can move or flex without delaminating or breaking down by chipping at the edges. For most part, grouting is a very important process which will make or break the finished look, and should be considered a vital ingredient of yOur Projects.Grouting is best done after the adhesive has fully cured and the product installed is solid, this will take at least 8 – 12 hrs, with cooler climates taking longer to set. When grouting porous products – i.e. sandstone or limestone, either pre-seal the stone or use a sanded / non staining grout. The sanded grouts will actually be recommended as most applicable, as they can be used in all joints up to 10mm. Also, any area’s deemed to have extra movement can have the latex liquid added to the grout, making sure to only mix latex liquid directly to water (20:1) before adding to the dry grout mixture.Latex is extremely strong and if your grout has too much, it will make the grout stick to the face of the stone , best to test the procedure before moving to the full installation process.

Movement Joints

Building interiors and exteriors do move around, through ground vibration or the thermal activity of your climate, it is highly recommended that all slip or construction joints are accommodated within yOur Projects, do not ignore that they exist.If your project has more than two or more conjoined surfaces, it is imperative that at these junctions to create movement joints, most stone or tile will expand and contract over time, as per the seasonal changes of your climate. The recommended distance between each section of stone is 5 lineal meters in both directions for internal situations and 3 meters in external applications. These are rule of thumb, and are purely guidelines for consideration; some installations would look unsightly if large expansion joints were placed throughout, so a lot of these can be hidden with matching coloured flexible joint to centralized positions or put around the perimeter, so as not to distract from the over all look. As per ,when dealing with a protruding structure on vertical or horizontal surfaces, the slip joint at the junction of these shall be filled with a colour matched flexible joint ,as when the stone is surrounding timber stairs, at window and door reveals or butting into a vanity cabinet.Consult your on-site professional Tradesmen for a considered opinion of the unique requirements of your site or facilitate discussion on these aspects whilst receiving quotations for the installation; most qualified Tradesmen can delivered a trusted verdict and can simplify where or how many expansion joints are needed.Most larger suppliers have a wide range of these products but it is recommended that high quality rigid silicone (i.e. Latham Strips) be used for high traffic commercial areas; or in a low traffic residential, it is actually easier to accommodate these needs with a high grade colour matched silicone, which can be injected between two reversed edge angles to create a gap of 6mm – 8mm between them. This method is widely used, and is applicable on vertical and horizontal areas, although when meeting a co-joined surface one angle is will suffice.

Cleaning and Sealing

Stone Concepts – Australia can attest that it’s products will withstand vigorous cleaning, though it is recommended not to use high pressure water cleaning guns, the Gerni process or option, should be avoided. Mostly, a solution of white vinegar (low acid cleaner) 20:1, to be added to a bucket of water will remove the residual dust left after grouting, most topical cleaners can also be used, try to avoid heavy concentrations, as these can take a long time to decline from the surface, meaning that if they are not removed, quickly and efficiently, they can deteriorate your project over time. Preferably, do not use acid based products, unless you employ an Industry Professional to perform this task as it can be very dangerous and detrimental to the stone. The sealing of stone can achieve an everlasting look, which with yearly maintenance will enhance the longevity of yOur Projects. Consult your supplier to ascertain the correct finish that will correspond with the aspect you are dealing with, some sealing finishes give a ‘wet’ glossy cover or there is actually sealers that are invisible to the eye, that penetrate the surface but leave a totally natural look.

Note

Ifyou are to be installing a large and dynamic stone environment, it is important to consult a Structural Engineer to discuss the load ratings required by your site; and its ability to retain its structural integrity when the extra weight of the stone is distributed to the site.It is worth due consideration, as many structural issues can manifest over time; and in hindsight probably could have been avoided with better planning in the development stages of yOur Projects.Take your time when deciding which, why, when and how; and then you can enjoy your Stone Concepts installation for the rest of your life.If needed, we can assist you in every aspect of the Project you desire to create; Stone Concepts – Australia is simply innovative, pure and natural; we are driven to help you succeed in your endeavour to design a unique environment of style and ambience.

Material	Nil Colour Enhancement Product	Coats	Colour Enhancement Product	Coats
Quartzite Tile	Top Seal	2	Deep Seal	2
Marble Tile	Invisible Sealer	1	Deep Seal
Sandstone Tile (Natural)	Top Seal	2	HP Sealer	2
Sandstone Tile (Honed)	Top Seal	2	HP Sealer	2
Sandstone Tile (Shot Blast)	Top Seal	2	HP Sealer	2

Please Note

Stone Concepts – Australia accepts responsibility for the accuracy of these guidelines and standard trade practices should be adhered to, and we highly recommend the use of Trade Professionals for the installation of these products.