Laying concrete wall copings

How I lay concrete wall copings. Notice how I use a primer on the back of the copings to create a bond bridge between the mortar and coping - if you don't use a primer then the copings have a good chance of coming away from the mortar bed due to the back of the copings being so smooth. Also I point the copings as I go if the weather allows.

[@rc3171]

I think if your labourer wetted the copers first before he passed them you with pva bond would work better

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

So my cement based primer went on easier do you mean?

[@rc3171]

@@SamDaviesBuilder no Not at all Just get ur donkey pva them before he pass you them

[@herrlip72]

coping with drips lines underneath if you can get them

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

Yea drip lines are definitely the best option. Unfortunately the ones the merchants sell round here never have drip lines!

[@almoravidbeh6105]

​@SamDaviesBuilder just cut them yourself. Otherwise it's algae central

[@mskduncan]

Now i know where im going wrong .. I haven't used primer. Thanks

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

You’d be amazed how many copings are put on without primer. The heavier ones you might not notice on as much but ones like I’ve got in the video pop off so easily without primer. Thanks for watching and glad the video helped!

[@stephenlivesey1]

What primer do u recommend

[@johnDoe-fg5qy]

Recommend never pouncing copings with your hands ever. Use trowel 100% of the time for setting because you will get arthritis guaranteed. The nerves in your hands die over time. Your welcome.

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

Thanks for the advice 😃

[@johnharford1452]

Apologies if I missed it from the video but what is the bonding product you used to coat the underside of each coping ? Cheers John

[@CiansVids]

I've used just water and cement to do this.

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

Hi John, I used a cement based primer/bonding slurry. Like the product in this link but there is loads of companies doing similar www.protilertools.co.uk/product/ultra-scape-pro-prime-polymer-modified-slurry-primer-20kg?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhY-aBhCUARIsALNIC06nzkcp2Torc-6kUUeuiOdWFGMOqHwlekB3uKuYQb-vWyMUaK5Na3EaApm6EALw_wcB

[@theinternet8853]

Hi mate, im a diyer and never done any building i had a wall built last year and am now having the same coping stones fitted 600mm x 280mm my wall os 36metres so 63 coping stones and 7 caps! and dont want them to come loose after all the expense Can you tell me did you use any sbr anywhere? also what ratio for the mortar? My builder was saying 2:1 sand to cement mortar pva on wall then mortar then pva then coping stone, ( like a pva mortar sandwich) then i watched ur vid, I might even show it to him Cheers mate

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

Hi, I did 4:1 on this. I wouldn’t go any stronger than that, 2:1 is way overkill in my opinion. You shouldn’t use PVA outside as it’s water soluble. Tell your builders to use a cement based primer or sbr mixed with cement to form a paste for on the back of the copings. You can even put it on the top of the wall just as you’re putting the mortar bed out for the copings. You won’t have any loose copings if you use a primer in the correct way - just no PVA 😃

[@theinternet8853]

​@@SamDaviesBuilderThanks for that mate, I will be copying your way I have gone ahead and order 2 bags of the same stuff you used (you posted a link in another comment Ultra Scape Pro-Prime Polymer Modified Slurry Primer 20kg I'll ask him to mix a bit at a time so it doesn't set too quick gona order sand and cement tommorow and ask him to do 4:1 I have spent a lot on the stones and am getting patio laid in a couple of weeks would be a pain if I had to get them redone, I appreciate alot thanks mate 👍

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

@@theinternet8853 no worries, hope it all goes well 😃

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

Do you use a mortar with additives that make it waterproof and crack resistant?

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

I just use plasticiser as an additive. No need to make it waterproof as the wall underneath is going to get no matter what…

[@razkhan2958]

What type of wall coping you use?

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

They are a ‘twice weathered concrete coping’ 600mm long and 275mm ish wide

[@silver60618]

If the back of the coping is rough, do I still need to use primer? Im in the states and I am not sure what product that translates to over here. Any tips would be much appreciated!

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

Yes I still would use it. Possibly could be a bonding slurry or bonding primer? You can make your own using SBR and cement mixer together - just make sure you lay the coping while the primer is still tacky on the back

[@RedwolfDogrocket]

I see 'builders' and 'landscapers' laying these around here and in two weeks time they are loose. Guaranteed. Every time. Are they just easy to knock off or a bugger to bond or is it again builders and muppets playing at being brickies? Is there an easy trick to miss? One guy stuck them back down with dot n dab and they didnt bloody move!! Ive seen gorilla glue used, blobs expanding foam, stixall!

[@TheNoisytrev]

As long as you put primer on the coping like Sam is they shouldn't go anywhere

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

I see so many people laying them without priming. Even using PVA which is better than nothing but still not suitable for outdoor use. Has to be a cement based slurry primer on the back of the coping prior to laying or they just won't stick - too smooth to bond properly without a primer. Nothing worse than seeing a nice new wall built then not long after copings all over the place because the slightest touch will move them when they haven't been primed. Also seeing poor pointing on a lot of them and that's another route to failure!

[@paultant6741]

Sbr bond and cement mixed wet and a 4inch roller to coat underside of coping will do the job. Great video thanks for showing

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

@@paultant6741 good tip there Paul and thanks 😀

[@richo1177]

Hi Sam can I use lime as an additive to the cement slurry, I'm in a tropical environment

[@johnDoe-fg5qy]

you will want to play the guitar when you are retired.

[@SamDaviesBuilder]

We will see 🤣