Priming Slurry

Installing Porcelain paving looks at first glance to be as simple as laying any other paving.

A key characteristic of porcelain is an exceptionally low water absorption value, meaning that the paving tile will not draw moisture to the same degree as other paving materials. This is a great benefit when it come to the surface resisting staining and staying looking clean. However, this also means that porcelain paving will absorb almost nothing from the bedding mortar and consequently, without help, porcelain will not form a strong, sustainable bond to the mortar bed. 

Priming Slurry is designed to facilitate the strong bonding of non-porous / low porous, porcelain and natural stone paving. To create the strong, sustainable bond required, brush primer slurry on the underside of each paving tile/slab just prior to laying. It's easy to apply and will not add significant cost to the installation.

Slurry Primer is not just for porcelain. Pavestone strongly recommends using it to prime natural stone paving flags, just prior to laying, as it will significantly reduce the potential for 'picture frame' stains and patches from the cement in the base mortar being drawn up through to the face of the stone.

The benefits of using Pavestone Slurry Primer instead of using a mix of SBR and Cement:

• Consistent mix and performance.
• Shrinkage resistant.
• Pavestone Priming Slurry contains a fine aggregate which when coated in cement, creates a strong matrix for improved bond, greater than using just cement.
• Specialised Fillers give enhanced characteristics making it easier to handle & apply.
• The ratio of sand to cement is critical for and would be hard to achieve unless using a pre prepared slurry primer and adding the correct water every time.
• Gelling agents are added to give a good paint like application qualities allowing consistent coverage when applying, avoiding missing areas.
• The gelling agents retain water for longer giving a bigger window for achieving a cement-to-cement bond, without slowing down the curing process of the cement.

The above will be especially true in hot conditions.

Powdered polymers are used to improve bond to both the substrate as well as the slab.

Once activated in water these give similar properties to SBR but with enhanced characteristics.

When Pavestone Priming Slurry is used in conjunction with Pavestone Wall & Cladding adhesive this gives the best possible bond for fixing slabs.

Tensile adhesive strength tests achieve 1.5 N/mm² with BS EN12004 requiring a minimum of 1.0 N/mm².

Tests are carried out on a concrete slab and after 28 days when the samples were pulled apart of the concrete slab was removed:

In wet conditions a mix of SBR & Cement could stay “live” – and the SBR could be effectively washed away out leaving only the cement.