Hi cypeman8037 you can do, but any mess you make of the slabs when pointing up is more likely to be permanent on clean slabs whereas its less likely to stick to dirty ones. In my case though, the patio has been laid on a very weak 8 to 1 semi dry mix of sand and cement, if I was to pressure wash I would likely wash away the sub base. Thank you for watching :)
Can always use brick acid cleaner if you get any cement residue on slabs. Make sure the surface is wet to stop the acid absorbing into slabs and leave it on for a couple minutes and rinse off
Thank you for your video, it was very useful! We have some slabs which over hang to the lower part of our garden that have come a little loose and wonky. Would this method heal with them too?
@@rachelwills93 hi Rachel, I recommend watching my video for loose coping stones. Using a similar mix as I have there would be ideal for your situation. And then once that has set you can use this method for repointing.
Nice job and I like the practical approach. Good tip on size of area to work on. I saw another you tube where they suggested adding some hydrated lime as well to the semi dry mix) same ratio as the cement.) Allegedly it helps with expansion and contraction over time? What’s your opinion?
Thank you for the great comment. Back when I was an apprentice I was told lime mortars are fantastic but they require an extraordinary amount of mixing to make it blend properly with cement, they used to say if it doesn't blend properly it will just weaken the mortar rather than strengthening it and most builders don't have the time for that. Now that was one company's opinion, but it left a lasting impression on me so I have since I only ever used it in renders. I would be a little worried about using it with this method as a semi dry mix though.
@@grahamevans-prosser6045 Hi Graham, thanks for watching. 9 times out of 10 to produce these sorts of colours you need to be a little picky with the choice of sand. Your best bet would be to find a nice light coloured/golden yellow sand and use snow crete (available at all builders merchants) instead of ordinary grey Portland cement. You can also play around with lime and cement dyes but I wouldn't recommend those with a semi dry mix as you would struggle to blend it sufficiently. Hope this helps. All the best DIYTTH.
Hi thank you. I personally don't think they're very DIY friendly, despite being marketed as such, they take some practice to get a good clean finish. It definitely doesn't last as long as sand and cement mortar. They are a time saver though, especially once you get some practice with the stuff.
That sounds like a great idea. I'm not sure it would be worth it on my old patio but for some this would be a worthwhile investment. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Helen, there are plenty on the market at the moment. I recommend reading customer reviews. I personally don't use the stuff, it can be a little tricky to get right, the resins can stain the slabs if not washed down properly, the problem comes when the water has nowhere to drain and the puddles left behind dries and leave stains. Once you get good with the stuff it's definitely a time saver however.
What will l buy? Builders sand and cement? We have that awful dark grey brush in stuff between tiles already will l scrap as much as that out first? Thank you for your help.
Pressure washer pal, blasts it all right out and you can make the slabs look like new. Makes more mess tho'... And you have to wait for it to dry... But still lol!
I love that idea, my only concern is the patio is laid on a weak dry mix. I'm worried I will disturb what it's bedded on. I think I'll give that a go though, I've only done half of it so far lol. Everytime I get a day off it's raining 😢
Yeah, you'd need to not go crazy if the slabs are laid on sand... 🙂 But it's possible to almost 'rescue' a crappy patio this way, as long as you're getting the pointing right down and under the slabs, it locks everything together and helps give a bit more support for the slabs...@@DIYTipstricksandhacks
Hi Waheed, you can, and some do. The problem is it will never be very strong as it isn't compacted, it will breakdown and crumble pretty quick, weeds will find their way through within weeks and before you know it you'll be back to square one
@DIYTipstricksandhacks after brushing it in initially I'll compact it. And then brush more in a 2nd/3rd time as well as compact it again. That's what I was going to do.
It shouldn't be a problem, other than having to mix up more mortar at a time and using a larger finishing tool, the process should be the same. Let me know how you get on. Thank you for watching 😊
Hi good job , but after you got all the dirt out and weeds between the pavers I myself would off pressured washed it then let it dry so it’s bone dry and then do your pointing a quick bush up and then a spray off water let it dry if it’s warm next day another spray off water then job done .
I did start to do that but the slabs are sitting on a very weak sand cement mix and the pressure washer started washing it all out beneath the slabs. The last thing I wanted was hundreds of people gunning for me as the same had happened to them lol, so I played it safe! 🤗
Hi Jake. We've been using cement for pointing for hundreds of years. It's much more of a hard wearing material than the more modern brush in resin mortars. Thank you for watching!
@@DIYTipstricksandhacks I’ll give you a little back story, I’m 19 and just got my first place and don’t really know much about paving!😂I know nothing at all to be honest!! I’ve got some flags in my back yard already laid but they have weeds coming through and it just looks so un-tidy. I’ve been watching some videos but everyone says different. This video looks like the best method that I’m going to use. I was just always a little bit wary of the sand not setting right and then coming away when I pressure wash the flags. I’ll give this a go
@@redpillnibbler4423 glad it was helpful, it's impossible to make the perfect video to keep everyone happy, but I'm still learning and experimenting with the editing so fingers crossed I'll get there one day lol. Thank you for watching !
Clean the patio prior to the pointing?
Hi cypeman8037 you can do, but any mess you make of the slabs when pointing up is more likely to be permanent on clean slabs whereas its less likely to stick to dirty ones. In my case though, the patio has been laid on a very weak 8 to 1 semi dry mix of sand and cement, if I was to pressure wash I would likely wash away the sub base. Thank you for watching :)
Can always use brick acid cleaner if you get any cement residue on slabs. Make sure the surface is wet to stop the acid absorbing into slabs and leave it on for a couple minutes and rinse off
Wanna a second hand drive way… Talk to me! Terry Tibbs
Lol brilliant
Thanks very much for the reply - much appreciated. I’m going with your experience! Many thanks..,.
Thank you for your video, it was very useful! We have some slabs which over hang to the lower part of our garden that have come a little loose and wonky. Would this method heal with them too?
@@rachelwills93 hi Rachel, I recommend watching my video for loose coping stones. Using a similar mix as I have there would be ideal for your situation. And then once that has set you can use this method for repointing.
@@rachelwills93 th-cam.com/video/4Wit9gz8s3g/w-d-xo.html
Nice job and I like the practical approach. Good tip on size of area to work on. I saw another you tube where they suggested adding some hydrated lime as well to the semi dry mix) same ratio as the cement.) Allegedly it helps with expansion and contraction over time? What’s your opinion?
Thank you for the great comment. Back when I was an apprentice I was told lime mortars are fantastic but they require an extraordinary amount of mixing to make it blend properly with cement, they used to say if it doesn't blend properly it will just weaken the mortar rather than strengthening it and most builders don't have the time for that.
Now that was one company's opinion, but it left a lasting impression on me so I have since I only ever used it in renders. I would be a little worried about using it with this method as a semi dry mix though.
Rock on that Tommy I will follow how you done it
If I wanted a mortar that once dried was a slightly lighter almost beige colour how would I do that? Thanks
@@grahamevans-prosser6045 Hi Graham, thanks for watching. 9 times out of 10 to produce these sorts of colours you need to be a little picky with the choice of sand. Your best bet would be to find a nice light coloured/golden yellow sand and use snow crete (available at all builders merchants) instead of ordinary grey Portland cement. You can also play around with lime and cement dyes but I wouldn't recommend those with a semi dry mix as you would struggle to blend it sufficiently. Hope this helps.
All the best
DIYTTH.
Nice work, good video +1 for flip flops! lol
Hey! those are my garden slippers 🤣
Problem l have is there is grey brush in jointing stuff in between slabs would you suggest l try and get as much of the out first? Thank you
Good video. What do you think of bonding compounds instead of sand/cement?
Hi thank you. I personally don't think they're very DIY friendly, despite being marketed as such, they take some practice to get a good clean finish. It definitely doesn't last as long as sand and cement mortar. They are a time saver though, especially once you get some practice with the stuff.
@@DIYTipstricksandhacks Thanks very for much for the reply. I'll stick with sand and cement mortar.
what about isong sodium hypochloride clean the pavers put in grout and then seal?
That sounds like a great idea. I'm not sure it would be worth it on my old patio but for some this would be a worthwhile investment. Thank you for sharing!
Can anyone tell me please the best patio grout you can buy to re grout between slabs. Any advice would be so helpfull
Hi Helen, there are plenty on the market at the moment. I recommend reading customer reviews. I personally don't use the stuff, it can be a little tricky to get right, the resins can stain the slabs if not washed down properly, the problem comes when the water has nowhere to drain and the puddles left behind dries and leave stains. Once you get good with the stuff it's definitely a time saver however.
Hi Helen...don't buy jointing compound or resin..it won't last and is expensive.....if you need any advice..happy to help...cheers Dave
What would you suggest l buy please? Thank you.
Builder sand and cement?
What will l buy? Builders sand and cement? We have that awful dark grey brush in stuff between tiles already will l scrap as much as that out first? Thank you for your help.
BRILLIANT THANKS
Like the sound of your voice and the music
Thank you great vid
Pressure washer pal, blasts it all right out and you can make the slabs look like new. Makes more mess tho'... And you have to wait for it to dry... But still lol!
I love that idea, my only concern is the patio is laid on a weak dry mix. I'm worried I will disturb what it's bedded on. I think I'll give that a go though, I've only done half of it so far lol. Everytime I get a day off it's raining 😢
Yeah, you'd need to not go crazy if the slabs are laid on sand... 🙂
But it's possible to almost 'rescue' a crappy patio this way, as long as you're getting the pointing right down and under the slabs, it locks everything together and helps give a bit more support for the slabs...@@DIYTipstricksandhacks
Can you do just this in the parts where the pointing has gone?
For sure, you will struggle to hide the join where new meets old though
Wojack?
Can I just mix the dry sand and cement without water and brush it into the joints? Let nature take its course.
Hi Waheed, you can, and some do. The problem is it will never be very strong as it isn't compacted, it will breakdown and crumble pretty quick, weeds will find their way through within weeks and before you know it you'll be back to square one
@DIYTipstricksandhacks after brushing it in initially I'll compact it. And then brush more in a 2nd/3rd time as well as compact it again. That's what I was going to do.
You need to compact it in with fingers or jointing tool...moisture from ground and air will set it off...give it a misting next day
Terry Tibbs
Wash slabs first with bleach water mix. Agertate in hose of. When dry brush in rock salt no more weeds then do this dry mix sorted no weeds
Thank you Stephen, I'm going to give this a go at the weekend you've gotten me very intrigued
thank you.. hope this will work in my big 1/2" thk seams
It shouldn't be a problem, other than having to mix up more mortar at a time and using a larger finishing tool, the process should be the same. Let me know how you get on. Thank you for watching 😊
I always add a little pva glue to the mix makes it bond better
Great tip, thankyou Julie. I'll be sure to give that a try next time 👍
Hi good job , but after you got all the dirt out and weeds between the pavers I myself would off pressured washed it then let it dry so it’s bone dry and then do your pointing a quick bush up and then a spray off water let it dry if it’s warm next day another spray off water then job done .
I did start to do that but the slabs are sitting on a very weak sand cement mix and the pressure washer started washing it all out beneath the slabs. The last thing I wanted was hundreds of people gunning for me as the same had happened to them lol, so I played it safe! 🤗
@@DIYTipstricksandhacks that happened to me to , I just made sure it was on a solid base all the other times and I had no problem. Thanks 👍
tear it out and concrete pad it!
Wouldn’t that just wash out if you was to jet wash the flags in about a years time
Hi Jake. We've been using cement for pointing for hundreds of years. It's much more of a hard wearing material than the more modern brush in resin mortars. Thank you for watching!
@@DIYTipstricksandhacks I’ll give you a little back story, I’m 19 and just got my first place and don’t really know much about paving!😂I know nothing at all to be honest!! I’ve got some flags in my back yard already laid but they have weeds coming through and it just looks so un-tidy. I’ve been watching some videos but everyone says different. This video looks like the best method that I’m going to use. I was just always a little bit wary of the sand not setting right and then coming away when I pressure wash the flags. I’ll give this a go
@@JakeP-bb5hhlook up flowpoint grout
Some helpful info here but - WHY spoil the video by putting that bloody noise in the background ?
@@redpillnibbler4423 glad it was helpful, it's impossible to make the perfect video to keep everyone happy, but I'm still learning and experimenting with the editing so fingers crossed I'll get there one day lol. Thank you for watching !