Build or glue the wall?

[snowjim]

Hello,

I am planning to build a low (4 levels) wall with Mexitegel (if I can get hold of it). My idea is to use adhesive to make it quicker to set up and to avoid joints that often break after a few years.

We will probably also build 2 smaller pillars at 6 levels by the driveway.

The disadvantage of adhesive might be that handling irregularities becomes more difficult? For example, if the surrounding environment, ledge, or similar is only about 98% straight.

What do you think? How should I proceed?

 

[Rabbithole]

Glue works well, PU foam expands a bit and fills gaps. But it's best if the stones are stable beforehand.

 

[Stefan N]

If you're going to glue, I would use stone glue.

 

[snowjim]

Then it is likely to be glue. How does it work when building a small wall at 30 cm, should it be built double, i.e. it cannot just be one row?

 

[Per_2014]

I glued my concrete block with stone adhesive 4 years ago, and it's rock solid (haha). You wouldn't think so when you lay down the watery strand, but it's both efficient and easy to work with!

 

[snowjim]

But what do you think, will Mexitegel look okay glued instead of with mortar? And what do you do about irregularities? I already know that the old foundation wall is not 100% perfect, probably not even 70% perfect. Mortar helps to compensate for this with its joint, but I've never done masonry before and I suspect it's quite a lot more work to get it right?

 

[Rabbithole]

With stone glue, it looks like you've stacked the stones with nothing in between (visually)

 

[snowjim]

Yes, exactly, I've understood that as well, but it's hard to imagine how it would look with rounded mexi, but I'll have to try stacking them once I get them.

But the question remains, how do you deal with irregularities? I assume glue doesn't really fill anything like mortar does.

The downside of mortar is that it's not uncommon for the joints to look unattractive after a few years.

 

[snowjim]

Was advised to use fix for indoors and outdoors instead for better adhesion, the downside is of course the price which is about 3 times higher.

Also bought 5 bottles of illbruck PU 700, we'll see how far it goes.

 

[Peter2400]

Got a tip to use fix for indoors and outdoors instead to get better adhesion, the downside is of course the price, which is about 3 times higher.

Also bought 5 bottles of illbruck PU 700, let's see how far it goes.

I have successfully used Biltema's stone glue, a bottle costs 25% less and contains 50% more foam.
Otherwise, it's a very good glue for most things, like wood and plastic for example.

 

[snowjim]

Tried the byggmax fix for outdoor and indoor yesterday and have to say that the standard mix is way too runny. The stones tend to slip off the edge. But it was really only the pillars that were difficult, the row of stones was much easier, and easy to adjust as well. The problem is that the base is so uneven that a 1 cm joint isn't enough to get the stones level, so the wall will simply be a bit crooked, just like the base. However, I think no one will notice that

I can confirm that after just 40 minutes the stones are very firmly in place, so it seems to work as intended. In this case, I did a bit of priming first because I know the wall absorbs quite a lot.

With the consistency we had, it wouldn't have been possible to build multiple layers, that much is certain. We're only setting the bottom layer with the fix, then we'll glue the rest.

 

[snowjim]

Bought PU700 at Byggmax for about 100 SEK per bottle, not cheap but I don't dare to take chances with Biltema when it comes to a wall that already costs quite a lot both in money and work.

For a smaller construction than a 26-meter wall, I might have considered testing Biltema.