Outdoor Travertine Pavers - Grout to use

Hello, I live in NJ (freeze/thaw cycle area) and am in the middle of installing a limestone paver around my pool. The pavers are being set with mortar on top of concrete (not sure if you like the idea or not - but I prefer it to dry-lay). My question is with the joints - not sure what I should do. Should I use a grout or something else like the mortar we're gonna use on the wall stone? Please suggest. Thanks

 

Dear Michael :

 

“ I live in NJ (freeze/thaw cycle area) ”

 

So do I! J

 

“ The pavers are being set with mortar on top of concrete (not sure if you like the idea or not - but I prefer it to dry-lay) ”

 

Since you asked, no I don't like the idea one bit. We're in a “ freeze/thaw cycle area ” remember?!...

 

“ My question is with the joints - not sure what I should do ”

 

Neither am I. What I do know is that the best (actually the only, in my book) way to install stone pavers (the right stone, of course, and travertine is indeed among the top ones!) is to butt-joint on dry-pack, and a proportion of 8 sand and 2 Portland cement (or even 9 to 1) as “grouting” material. You push it in with a push-broom until it is completely filled and leveled, and then you gently sprinkle it with water. Done.

Anything else is a gamble (which I don't care to learn about) and if I have to gamble I do it in Atlantic City , not in my own property.

 

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Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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