patio pointing help

[coop5]

Hi all,


I have searched and found conflicting info on pointing my new patio. I’ve checked paving expert and again gives various options.

Basically I have messed up as I’ve been doing it bit by bit and not pointing as I’ve been going.

Anyway, will I be able to get a good strong pointing using a dry mix brushed in to the gaps (fully watered down prior) ??

Or am I going to have to go round with a wet mix

I don’t want to use the tubbed brush in compounds as last time it all cracked and fell out after 12 months

Thanks all.

 

[Ian H]

I personally wouldn’t brush in a sand/cement mix. I’d do it wet.

 

[^woody^]

Point it up old skool, with a semi damp mix to avoid staining those slabs.

The key is to tamp the mortar in fully and iron the joint firmly. Use a 50/50 sharp/building sand mix

 

[coop5]

Point it up old skool, with a semi damp mix to avoid staining those slabs.

The key is to tamp the mortar in fully and iron the joint firmly. Use a 50/50 sharp/building sand mix

Cheers mate,

On a 3-1 ? Will the semi damp mix still stain the slab, obviously I don’t intend on getting any on the slab but it’s going to happen !

 

[^woody^]

Any mortar will potentially stain, yours look like concrete so definitely. If natural stone, no.

It's possible to either let mortar spots dry and then scrape them off - which works fine if the slabs will be dry, or flush with water ... but you may not be able do either of these in this case. But bear in mind .... have a damp rag ready or if you drop a few blobs, let them dry for a bit and don't try moving them straight away as they will smudge and make it harder to remove.

It's a case of being careful. Some straight bits of hardboard or suchlike may help if you are not that steady.

 

[coop5]

Hi guys,


So I went with the semi dry mix which I am happy with in terms of the strength of the pointing. I think it will withstand a jet wash unlike a dry mix.

Anyway here’s a photo, there is some staining but I tried to keep it minimal. Are there any products which can take away the excess cement mix/stains without damaging the stone ?

Thanks again for your help

 

[Mobo_14]

Mortar stain remover should do a job just dab it on with a damp cloth and wash off. Should lift if it's just light staining and still fresh. I'd wear gloves as it's an acid though.

 

[23vc]

Pretty sure brick acid’s a no no if they’re sandstone? (Which they look like to me but could be wrong)
Do a test area first

 

[Charlie George]

Don't use acid you could make a mess of it, let it weather and see how it looks before using chemicals.

 

[stuart45]

It's worse on limestone as it dissolves it. Remember as a kid dropping your aunt's pearls into vinegar to test the theory.

 

[Mobo_14]

Aye sorry ignore me if it's natural stone

 

[coop5]

Cheers all. I’ll let it weather and revisit this

 

[noseall]

Why on earth did you not use Geo-Fix? Incredible gear (pricey) and ideal in your situation. Sets like bell iron too.

 

[^woody^]

Why on earth did you not use Geo-Fix? Incredible gear (pricey) and ideal in your situation. Sets like bell iron too.

Because it looks crap on wide joints and you can't beat the look of a nice smooth pointed joint between rough slabs - even with a bit of staining.

 

[noseall]

Because it looks crap on wide joints and you can't beat the look of a nice smooth pointed joint between rough slabs - even with a bit of staining.

Not sure I agree there Woods. The granular make-up of the product had me wondering. I used it for the first time on slabs (Wednesday) on my own patio. Most of the joints were in the 10mm range. The perimeter joint was 35-40mm and around the chamber lids, slightly bigger.

I also had to do a bit of fettling and shaping at one of the slab edges and imagined that it would be tricky with the GeoFix, but it was actually a doddle. You can tool it and compress it also, although you do have to wait an hour or two.

Prior to my own patio I have been proper old school and always created mortar joints with (and joined to) the bedding mix. What sold it to me for the GeoFix was that we had to point a black cobbled (much driven over) rumble strip with it. Incredible gear.