How to Proceed with Installing or Adhering a Blue Stone Wall Cladding on Hollow Concrete Blocks ?

How to Mason or Glue Blue Stones onto a Cinder Block Wall?

This Bricomachin article will show you how to glue blue stones (adhesive installation) onto a wall made of cinder blocks of concrete or argex types, or even terracotta. The method is the same for these three types of walls. Do you like fine finishes? So do we at Bricomachin!

We are all going to become masonry pros!

We are all going to become masonry pros!

Introduction to Blue Stone Installation

In this article, we will not discuss thermal insulation, the first row, or interior walls because we are focusing solely on covering a wall, not the rest.

Preparation and Protection of the Wall

You can then protect your small wall with a plaster or stone cladding, in bricks or even with wooden or PVC siding! It's up to your taste. We advise you to waterproof your wall completely once all your work is done, this will allow you to add extra protection.

The advantage of a protected wall generally requires very little maintenance

We are assuming that your wall is on solid and durable foundations and that the weight of the blue stone wall covers does not pose a problem => foundation with a concrete slab under gravel with full thickness and a drain if the terrain requires it. That your wall is not porous.

Favorable Weather Conditions

Recommended weather:

• No heavy rain forecasted and if a light shower occurs, cover the wall cover with a tarp!
• Let it dry if necessary
• Minimum recommended temperature 8 degrees – no heat wave expected.
• Plan a tarp (as a precaution) in case of sudden and unexpected storm/heavy rain.

Practical Advice from Bricomachin

Bricomachin advises you to work with 2 people — simpler and more efficient because:

• it's easier (read "lighter") to lift 30 kg (a blue stone is very heavy) with 2 people.
• laying the blue stone with 2 people allows for much more precision and to place the blue stone on the mortar at "one's ease" without crushing it with a strong hit!

Tools and Materials Needed

Main tools to fix blue stone on a brick wall:

• Trowel
• Mixer
• Glove (if you are not used to working with mortar, you might want to grab the mortar with your hands)
• Spirit level
• A measuring tape
• Grinder with diamond disc (to cut the blue stone, the disc should not be too worn)
• Rubber hammer (or plastic) to align the blue stones

Mortar Preparation

The basic rule in this type of work, no matter which mortar you mix,

the mortar should not be soft, because the weight of the blue stones is relatively significant. If you prefer to work with a slightly softer mortar, you will have to work with shims.

The mortar must be hard (not too much water), but also include additives to facilitate the mortar's adherence to the blue stone. When you lay your blue stone on the mortar, if it's too soft, it will get crushed and you will struggle to level your blue stone.

Example of a Blue Stone's Weight:

Example of a Blue Stone's Weight: A blue stone wall cover of about 20 cm by 5 cm (thickness) over 1 meter -> the weight is approximately 30 kg!

Advice: use Rhine (river) sand and not yellow sand! Why? Yellow sand often contains impurities

Necessary Materials:

Necessary Materials: Rhine sand+Cement+Water+Compaktuna or Sikalatex or Latex

OR

Thick tile mortar + water (preferably a thick tile mortar)

Latex significantly improves the flexibility of the mortar, but also increases its adhesion.

Do not use too much or your mortar might become much "softer."

Everything can be bought in large DIY store chains! Nothing particular is needed.

Installation Techniques

Method 1 - with classic mortar and over several days for properly adhering the blue stone to the mortar.

Method 1 consists of working over several days.

• One day before installation, coat the back of the stones with a slurry made of 1/3 Rhine sand + 2/3 cement + compaktuna dose.
• Spread the mixture on the back of the stones with a brush.
• Make sure not to go over the visible edges. Stay within the water drip grooves.

Step 2

• Lay the wall covers with the same mixture reversed 1/3 cement + 2/3 Rhine sand + compaktuna.
• Use the level to properly align your blue stone. Tap with your rubber hammer to align the level as you wish.
• Joints between the blue stones, 5 to 9 mm.

Method 2 - more expensive with pre-made tile mortar but much faster installation.

Method 2 allows you to work in just one day and is recommended. The tile mortar adheres much better than classic mortar. If your budget allows it, don't think twice and use tile mortar: there is also thick tile mortar (up to 5 cm) if you have some level issues in your wall.

• Moisten the blue stone and the cinder block wall!
• Lay the wall covers with thick tile mortar, apply a double coating on the blue stone, but also on the cinder block.
• Use the level to properly align your blue stone. Tap with your rubber hammer to align the level as you wish.
• Joints between the blue stones, 5 to 9 mm.
• Double coating is strongly recommended (you apply the adhesive on your blue stone but also on your small wall).

Important Observations from Bricomachin

Some important observations from Bricomachin

• Never use cement mortar directly without additives or preparation. The blue stones may not adhere: you can enhance adhesion by grinding the back of the blue stone, this can increase the adhesion of the tile mortar!
• Beware of greasy products that stain. The jointing between the blue stones is only done with a single-component PU and especially not with classic silicone sealant (grease stain).
• When grinding the blue stone, use a grinder with a minimum of 230 mm (disc diameter) to make your work easier! Indeed, a 5 cm blue stone wall cover with a 125, the disc is too small!
• If high UV index, do not hesitate to moisten the top of the wall before applying mortar or tile mortar.

Choice of Blue Stone

What is your choice of stone? Chinese blue stone, Hainaut?, Belgian blue stone?