How do I lay rubber tiles over natural stone paving slabs or setts?

Natural stone paving slabs with a sawn or honed surface, including granite, marble, sandstone, travertine and slate, provide a suitable base if the existing paving is firm, level and stable. The rubber tiles are laid directly over it without adhesive or fixing to the substrate. Depending on the range, the individual tiles are joined by a jigsaw interlock or plastic connectors. Outdoors, a fall of 1 to 2 per cent is required so that rainwater can run beneath the tiles towards an open edge or drain.

Existing stone sett paving is rarely as even. Rounded or uneven sett tops, wide joints and individual setts that have sunk, tilted or become loose prevent full and even contact beneath the rubber tiles. Loose and sunken setts are therefore relaid at a consistent level in the laying course, while wide or eroded joints are filled to create a lasting, even surface. Any remaining irregularities are levelled before installation. The same preparation applies to natural stone paving slabs with riven surfaces and to crazy paving with wide joints.

Where widespread settlement or distortion is present, the damaged areas must be repaired or the existing natural stone paving lifted. After paving slabs or setts laid on an unbound laying course have been removed, the exposed grit or sand is checked and topped up or replaced where necessary. Once compacted and levelled, the laying course can receive the rubber tiles in the same way as a newly prepared laying course of fine crushed aggregate. If the natural stone was bedded in mortar over concrete, all remaining mortar must also be removed. The exposed concrete must be intact, stable and level.