Monday, August 14 2017 |
How To Apply Natural Stones on Cement Wall |
Before applying natural stones on your cement wall, do not forget to prepare the required materials and tools first, such as concrete nails, string, cement mixture, natural stone protective paint, and natural stones that you are going to use. String is an important tool for applying natural stones on your wall, because it functions as placement reference for the stones to keep them well aligned. When it comes to choosing stones, choose stones with right angles because they could be easily adjusted to the wall. Furthermore, you should also prepare the wall area where you are going to put natural stones on first by creating random cracks on it. This will help the stones stick better to your wall. The next step is the main step, which is the application process. Soak the stones in a bowl of water first for a while to help maintain their moisture. This step is crucial because if the stones are applied on the wall in dry condition, they will absorb the water from cement mixture. After that, put a support on the bottom part of the wall to prevent the stones from slipping down, because natural stones are usually quite heavy. Begin sticking stones on the wall using cement mixture starting from the bottom part. After the stones are completely applied to the wall, do not forget to clean the excess cement that might come out from the gaps and edges. This cement residue should be cleaned straightaway because once the cement has dried, it will be so much harder to clean, and harsh cleaning could damage the stones. If dirt is still present on the wall, you could clean them by spraying some water using a hose on the dirty areas. If the stain is difficult to clean, pour some soapy water on the wall, brush the stains until they are gone and wash the wall using clean water. After the wall is perfectly cleaned, you could continue to the last process which is wall treatment. Apply a layer of protective paint on your natural stone wall to prevent moss from growing and to reduce the risk of damage in the future. Reapply this protective layer regularly every 6 to 12 months. There are a lot types of stones that you could use to decorate cement walls, such as andesite stones, limestone, marble stones, granite stones, and slate stones. Beside the stone types and application technique, the cement mixture used could also affect the durability and strength of your wall. Make sure to mix the cement with the correct ratio and use premium quality cement, such as Semen Merah Putih. Using good quality cement |