ᐅ Patio Slabs on EPDM Waterproofing – Alternative to Pedestal Supports
Created on: 7 Oct 2020 17:49
M
Matt123
Hello everyone,
a few months ago, we renovated our balcony (6m wide, 2.5m deep, but diamond-shaped).
It was leaking and sloped towards the house, among other issues.
So, we installed a sloped screed.
On top of that, we built the following layers:
EPDM membrane
Protection mat pads
Spacer pads for decking (about 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inches) high and flat)
Porcelain stoneware tiles, 60x60x2 cm (24x24x0.8 inches)
Unfortunately, I am not satisfied with the result.
The screed wasn’t perfectly level, so the spacer pads only partly have room to adjust.
This means some tiles are a bit loose.
Especially around the edges, I haven’t dared to firmly fix the small edge pieces yet (with cement mortar or XPS insulation or something similar).
Since we don’t have a framing around the tiles like on a terrace (because we have a railing that is screwed on from the side), this makes things a bit more complicated, although with the protection mats so far I haven’t noticed any sliding of the tiles towards the railing.
In any case, I wanted to ask if there are alternatives above the EPDM membrane for the construction that might be more stable?
I had considered laying out a full-surface protection mat and glueing the tiles on top of it. That way, the tiles could still “slide” on the EPDM membrane but would be connected to each other somehow.
Or do you maybe have another idea?
I have attached a photo from when I was laying the tiles, which I think shows the setup.
Best regards,
Mike
a few months ago, we renovated our balcony (6m wide, 2.5m deep, but diamond-shaped).
It was leaking and sloped towards the house, among other issues.
So, we installed a sloped screed.
On top of that, we built the following layers:
EPDM membrane
Protection mat pads
Spacer pads for decking (about 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inches) high and flat)
Porcelain stoneware tiles, 60x60x2 cm (24x24x0.8 inches)
Unfortunately, I am not satisfied with the result.
The screed wasn’t perfectly level, so the spacer pads only partly have room to adjust.
This means some tiles are a bit loose.
Especially around the edges, I haven’t dared to firmly fix the small edge pieces yet (with cement mortar or XPS insulation or something similar).
Since we don’t have a framing around the tiles like on a terrace (because we have a railing that is screwed on from the side), this makes things a bit more complicated, although with the protection mats so far I haven’t noticed any sliding of the tiles towards the railing.
In any case, I wanted to ask if there are alternatives above the EPDM membrane for the construction that might be more stable?
I had considered laying out a full-surface protection mat and glueing the tiles on top of it. That way, the tiles could still “slide” on the EPDM membrane but would be connected to each other somehow.
Or do you maybe have another idea?
I have attached a photo from when I was laying the tiles, which I think shows the setup.
Best regards,
Mike
Adhesive, for example Bostik Super Fix.
It’s easiest to start from the lowest point so that nothing shifts.
Then place supports on the bearing surface above to create a level area. The advantage is that you can always adjust thanks to the pedestals.
You will need to make corrections in several places depending on the levelness...
Lay the panels. Adjust the pedestal heights and then begin fitting the panels one by one. For amateurs like us, this is the simplest method.
Alternatively, you can work with a laser level if you have one.
It’s easiest to start from the lowest point so that nothing shifts.
Then place supports on the bearing surface above to create a level area. The advantage is that you can always adjust thanks to the pedestals.
You will need to make corrections in several places depending on the levelness...
Lay the panels. Adjust the pedestal heights and then begin fitting the panels one by one. For amateurs like us, this is the simplest method.
Alternatively, you can work with a laser level if you have one.
Hi Rick,
that would mean using pedestals again.
Is there no way to lay or glue the panels directly onto the protection mat, or to install them without the pedestals? That was actually my initial question, and I misunderstood you because you still suggest installing the panels on pedestals.
I can’t make progress with the click pedestals.
And that’s exactly how I did it, just as you described—supporting at the pedestal points, but using the protection mat or small sections of it.
Best regards,
Mattes
that would mean using pedestals again.
Is there no way to lay or glue the panels directly onto the protection mat, or to install them without the pedestals? That was actually my initial question, and I misunderstood you because you still suggest installing the panels on pedestals.
I can’t make progress with the click pedestals.
And that’s exactly how I did it, just as you described—supporting at the pedestal points, but using the protection mat or small sections of it.
Best regards,
Mattes
Hello Mattes,
there seems to have been a misunderstanding.
The underlay goes on top of the pedestal supports. That's the only way to adjust individual panels.
Without pedestal supports, it means a "traditional installation." Height adjustment is not easier for non-professionals in that case either.
If you want to stick directly onto the protection mat, this is only possible with a lot of adhesive (almost full-surface) and you will need spacers.
It’s doable, but certainly not the best solution.
there seems to have been a misunderstanding.
The underlay goes on top of the pedestal supports. That's the only way to adjust individual panels.
Without pedestal supports, it means a "traditional installation." Height adjustment is not easier for non-professionals in that case either.
If you want to stick directly onto the protection mat, this is only possible with a lot of adhesive (almost full-surface) and you will need spacers.
It’s doable, but certainly not the best solution.
Matt123 schrieb:
So the problem is not the lack of adjustable settings, but that I haven't been able to set the supports for all the boards at the same time.Regarding this point: has there already been research using the keywords "vario plattenlager"? There are adjustable pedestal supports that allow fine-tuning from above.
Hello to both of you and thanks for the information.
What does "skillfully ignored" mean? The pedestal supports I linked (Edit: I had... Hornbach links are apparently not allowed. So search for "Star T pedestal 10-15 mm (0.4-0.6 inch) 4 mm (0.15 inch) joint" by Eternoivica. These are the ones I’m using) can also be adjusted from above.
But unfortunately, only all 4 slabs that meet on that pedestal can be adjusted simultaneously.
That’s my problem. Three slabs are sitting correctly, but one is loose. So it doesn’t help me much that I can adjust the pedestal from above with a long slotted screwdriver.
@ tomom: OK, that’s an idea too. How do I fix the edge slabs with the gravel bed pedestal?
There’s no “frame” or edging, right?
And maybe I will redo the mortar pads completely next spring. They adjust themselves for each slab individually. How thick do the mortar pads need to be at a minimum? Does anyone know?
Best regards
Mattes
What does "skillfully ignored" mean? The pedestal supports I linked (Edit: I had... Hornbach links are apparently not allowed. So search for "Star T pedestal 10-15 mm (0.4-0.6 inch) 4 mm (0.15 inch) joint" by Eternoivica. These are the ones I’m using) can also be adjusted from above.
But unfortunately, only all 4 slabs that meet on that pedestal can be adjusted simultaneously.
That’s my problem. Three slabs are sitting correctly, but one is loose. So it doesn’t help me much that I can adjust the pedestal from above with a long slotted screwdriver.
@ tomom: OK, that’s an idea too. How do I fix the edge slabs with the gravel bed pedestal?
There’s no “frame” or edging, right?
And maybe I will redo the mortar pads completely next spring. They adjust themselves for each slab individually. How thick do the mortar pads need to be at a minimum? Does anyone know?
Best regards
Mattes
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