Preparing Bricks or Blockwork for Microcement
Microcement can’t be applied directly to bricks or blockwork. Before the microcement is installed, the surface needs to be completely flat. The guide belows explains the best way of achieving this.
Because microcement is very thin, with a finished depth of just 3-4mm, it is dependent on the substrate that it is being applied to.
Bricks and blockwork are not sufficiently flat to take the microcment directly.
There are 2 commonly adopted processes for achieving a flat surface that you can microcement onto for bricks and blockwork:
Option 1: Overboard
Board over the bricks or blockwork with cement board or plasterboard, as appropriate for the environment and end use. Make sure that the boards are well glued in place, so that they are completely free from movement, and also flushed out and level so that you have a flat surface to apply microcement to.
For full details of how to prepare the surfaces for microcement, click the relevant links below:
Option 2: Render
Alternatively you can use a render to flush out the bricks or blockwork so that you have a completely flat surface to apply the microcement to.
The render must be completely flat and cured to within 5% moisture content before the microcement is applied.
You can apply microcement to any type of render, so choose one that is suitable for the environment & end use.
Outdoor Surfaces Require a Damp Proof Membrane
For outdoor surfaces, a damp proof membrane must be incorporated in the build up to prevent any water getting to the underside of the microcement.