Basalt

[Peter]

Sent a price off for about 15m of 600x300 basalt in a bathroom. Never worked with it before so is anything I need to be aware of when fixing, and which sealer is best? Have heard a few horror storys about sealing basalt so don't want to make a pigs ear of it if I do get the job.

 

[Peter]

LTP recommend using waterbased Mattstone h2o on the face, back and edges before installation. Sound right?
I presume this wouldn't affect the adhesive?

Got the job so should be something a bit different anyway.

 

[DHTiling]

H20 can darken the stone , Basalt is a funny material ... and NO sealing the stone back/face and edges will not hinder adhesion .. it just prevents moisture from the adhesive ingressing.

 

[Peter]

Any other alternatives that don't affect colour? From reading up there have been a few sealing disasters so wouldn't fancy making an expensive mistake.

 

[DHTiling]

I actually prefer Fila sealers now... and they also do a new sealer for the back of stones..

Fila w68 is a really good water based and does not change the colour..

 

[Peter]

Can get the Fila locally so sounds good. Is the w68 sweet for doing the backs too.

 

[DHTiling]

You can fully seal all sides... Deano if i recall correctly does so as well.. but Fila do sell a sealer specifically for sealing the backs of moisture sensitive stones etc..

 

[Peter]

Cheers, will pick up some Fila for it then. Any other considerations to be aware of with Basalt?

 

[DHTiling]

Work clean,

 

[DHTiling]

The sealer for the backs is Fila PW10...

 

[DHTiling]

Some more info for you Peter..

Fila launches new 'PW10' Rising Damp Protector (TILEZINE Tiling News)

Good price as well for 5ltrs >>> [DLMURL="http://www.tilecouture.co.uk/product/fila-pw10/"]Tile Couture | Fila PW10 - Pre Fixing Efflorescence Blocking Protector[/DLMURL]

 

[Peter]

Cheers. All a bit of a minefield with each company doing about 5 ever so slightly different sealers. :lol: Mapei keraflex fine?

 

[DHTiling]

Use rapid set only Pete..

 

[Peter]

No problem, just making sure as I know how sensitive it can be.