Slate stair thread came loose....

[Zack1978]

Hi everyone,

The slate stair tread on one step leading to my house has come loose and separated from the stair foundation below. I need to reattach the tread, but I am not sure what type of cement or product to use. When I go to Home Depot, what specific cement should I buy? Any tips or tricks other than just throwing the cement in?

Thanks,
Zack

 

[Zack1978]

The title should be tread not thread.... Sorry

 

[45Kevin]

The slate was probably set in a bed of mortor. Ideally you would chip out the old mortor and reset the piece in new mortor.

So what you are looking for will be in the tile section of your building supplies store. It is most likely called "thin set mortor". I have no idea what material the joints would be filled with, if any, but it may be a grout of some kind. Take a piece of the old joint filler, if any, to the building supply place and see if the sales guy recognizes it.

Post a couple of pics. Is the slate cut or rough pieces?

 

[sggoat]

Slate has a bad habit of 'bending' unless it has a really solid, flat foundation(kinda like a bunch of sheets of paper stacked together) Make sure the substrate is flat and solid. Use a bonding agent in the mortar mix(or thin-set) Make sure to soak the slate in water for a few minutes(20-30)before laying it. Mix the grout a little more soupy than you would for tile(it'll help soak in to the edges for a better hold).