There is a local granite manufacturer disposing of pieces leftover from countertop cuts. I can obtain them for free, and was thinking of creating an outdoor patio area with the different sized pieces as "slabs" that I will fill in with concrete as a mock-grout affect. Is there anything I need to know about water/weather proofing granite for outdoor use?

 

Dear Amie:

It sounds like a terrific idea!

Just make sure that you install the pieces of stone upside down, so they won't become slippery when wet.

As for the water-proofing thing... What on earth have those poor pieces of stone ever done to you to deserve that?!... LOL

You should never seal stone outdoors. The inevitable slow-down of the osmosis (slow migration of moisture from the ground up through the core of the stone) consequent to the application of any type of sealer could create irreversible problems.

Do you need problems?...

That's what I thought!! :-)

 

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?   :-)

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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