Design attractive natural and concrete stone surfaces
Beautiful stone surfaces are at the top of most garden owners' wish lists. Whether you are using cobblestone paving, natural stone, or concrete slabs, outdoor stone surfaces are exposed to the elements, with moisture being a key factor. Depending on the requirements, stone sizes, and type of bonded construction, jointing can be designed to be either permeable to water (drainable) or impermeable to water (non-drainable). Non-drainable joints are particularly durable and resistant to dirt and cleaning measures.
While impermeable joints require the surface area to be drained, permeable joints allow rainwater to seep away directly on-site, significantly reducing the burden on sewer systems during heavy rainfall. Drainable joints therefore meet
the requirements of the German Water Resources Act, which stipulates local
drainage. As a general rule, the higher the water permeability of the surface,
the smaller the drainage area relevant to charges.
The load-bearing subfloor
To ensure that paved surfaces are stable, resilient, and remain so for a long time, we recommend combining the prepared frost protection and base layer with a layer of bedding mortar. With PCI Pavifix DM, this bedding layer can be built up directly as a stable yet water-permeable drainage layer. This ensures that surface water always drains away quickly and reliably.
Reliable laying of paving and natural stones
Smaller paving stones can be laid directly on the drainage layer without any issues. However, for larger formats, slabs, or outdoor ceramics, we recommend using a bonding slurry. PCI Carrament grey is applied to the back of the stones, which are then laid fresh-on-fresh on the mortar bed. This creates a firm bond between the top layer and the mortar.
The right joint makes the difference
Low-maintenance and visually appealing joints are best created with a cementitious grout. These joints are robust, resistant to being flushed out, and prevent seeds or seedlings from settling. With PCI Pavifix 1K Extra, water-permeable joints can be easily created. The material is ready to use, easy to apply, and available in three colors: beige, grey, and anthracite.
Water-impermeable joints are filled with PCI Pavifix CEM Rapid, which is particularly suitable for grouting natural stone paving such as polygonal slabs on terraces and garden areas. For concrete substrates (e.g., concrete slabs, concrete steps, concrete terraces), water-impermeable jointing mortar must always be used.
Water-impermeable grout
Water-permeable grout
Additional protection
You can protect mineral surfaces and natural stone with Sikagard®-790 All-in-One Protect. This hydrophobic impregnation has strong water-repellent properties and reduces surface soiling while maintaining the original visual appearance of the stone.