Re-pointing patio slabs
 

I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is finished
I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and wet I have
still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off. Is there a
reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the mortar off the
slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag might work. Any tips
gratefully received.

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

Broadback wrote:
I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is finished
I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and wet I have
still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off.

I favour something in between. Dry doesn't really work because even a
light spray of water tends to throw the powder all over the edges, and
only reaches the top layer. Just slightly damp allows you to pack it
firmly without any bleeding into the slab edges.

Is there a
reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the mortar off the
slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag might work. Any tips
gratefully received.

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

stuart noble wrote:
Broadback wrote:
I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is
finished I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and wet
I have still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off.

I favour something in between. Dry doesn't really work because even a
light spray of water tends to throw the powder all over the edges, and
only reaches the top layer. Just slightly damp allows you to pack it
firmly without any bleeding into the slab edges.

Is there a
reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the mortar off
the slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag might work.
Any tips gratefully received.

I the slabs are stone other than concrete or limestone/marble, treat
them with brick acid to clean up afterwards, and use whatever works for you.

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

stuart noble wrote:
Broadback wrote:
I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is
finished I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and wet
I have still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off.

I favour something in between. Dry doesn't really work because even a
light spray of water tends to throw the powder all over the edges, and
only reaches the top layer. Just slightly damp allows you to pack it
firmly without any bleeding into the slab edges.

Is there a
reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the mortar off
the slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag might work.
Any tips gratefully received.

I have found that dry is fine - if there is no rain or other spray while
still not firm. Overnight dew, or just what is wicked up from the
existing slab/mortar, is enough to set the dry mix.

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

Broadback wrote:

I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is finished
I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and wet I have
still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off. Is there a
reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the mortar off the
slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag might work. Any tips
gratefully received.

Having done a lot of slabbing over the last year, I will never again use
cement/sand mix for pointing the gaps.
I always use brush-in ready made mortar mix, around £15 for a small
bucket.£25ish for a large one.
Gives a good finish, does not mark the slabs, and very easily applied.
See here fir oen make of it:
http://www.ecofil.co.uk/

Alan.

--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:23:51 +0000, Broadback
wrote:

I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is finished
I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and wet I have
still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off. Is there a
reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the mortar off the
slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag might work. Any tips
gratefully received.

Brush dry Postcrete into the cracks, mist coat with water. Set in 10
minutes but can be cleaned off bits it's not wanted on.

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

A.Lee wrote:
Broadback wrote:

I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is
finished I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and
wet I have still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off.
Is there a reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the
mortar off the slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag
might work. Any tips gratefully received.

Having done a lot of slabbing over the last year, I will never again
use cement/sand mix for pointing the gaps.
I always use brush-in ready made mortar mix, around £15 for a small
bucket.£25ish for a large one.
Gives a good finish, does not mark the slabs, and very easily applied.
See here fir oen make of it:
http://www.ecofil.co.uk/

Is this the same do you reckon?
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Paving-Acces...ut/invt/154002



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

A.Lee wrote:
Broadback wrote:

I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is finished
I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and wet I have
still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off. Is there a
reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the mortar off the
slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag might work. Any tips
gratefully received.

Having done a lot of slabbing over the last year, I will never again use
cement/sand mix for pointing the gaps.
I always use brush-in ready made mortar mix, around £15 for a small
bucket.£25ish for a large one.
Gives a good finish, does not mark the slabs, and very easily applied.
See here fir oen make of it:
http://www.ecofil.co.uk/

Alan.

Any idea why they call it Ecofil? Doesn't appear to have any 'eco'
credentials or claims.

Unless "Polybutadiene based product extended with silicaceous fillers.
Contains less than 0.02% cobalt octoate." is super-eco-friendly. :-)

http://www.ecofil.co.uk/ecofil_msds.pdf

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:30:37 +0000, Rod
wrote:

A.Lee wrote:
Broadback wrote:

I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is finished
I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and wet I have
still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off. Is there a
reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the mortar off the
slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag might work. Any tips
gratefully received.

Having done a lot of slabbing over the last year, I will never again use
cement/sand mix for pointing the gaps.
I always use brush-in ready made mortar mix, around £15 for a small
bucket.£25ish for a large one.
Gives a good finish, does not mark the slabs, and very easily applied.
See here fir oen make of it:
http://www.ecofil.co.uk/

Alan.

Any idea why they call it Ecofil? Doesn't appear to have any 'eco'
credentials or claims.

'eco' as in economical.



--
Regards, Paul Herber, Sandrila Ltd. http://www.sandrila.co.uk/
Profile on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/paulherber

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

The Medway Handyman wrote:

A.Lee wrote:
Broadback wrote:

I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is
finished I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and
wet I have still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off.
Is there a reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the
mortar off the slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag
might work. Any tips gratefully received.

Having done a lot of slabbing over the last year, I will never again
use cement/sand mix for pointing the gaps.
I always use brush-in ready made mortar mix, around £15 for a small
bucket.£25ish for a large one.
Gives a good finish, does not mark the slabs, and very easily applied.
See here fir oen make of it:
http://www.ecofil.co.uk/

Is this the same do you reckon?
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Paving-Acces...ut/invt/154002

Yes, looks the same. It also gives a nice sheen to the slabs.Much finer
than sharp sand/cement, brushes off easily, so no stains, and available
in multiple colours. I tend to do more buff slabs than grey, so it is a
godsend being able to put in buff mortar.
Alan.

--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

Re-pointing patio slabs
 

Paul Herber wrote:
On Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:30:37 +0000, Rod
wrote:

A.Lee wrote:
Broadback wrote:

I am in the process of pressure washing my patio, after that is finished
I will need to re-point. Having tried both dry mortar and wet I have
still managed to mark the slabs, though it has come off. Is there a
reasonably easy and quick way of doing it and keeping the mortar off the
slabs? I wondered if something akin to an icing bag might work. Any tips
gratefully received.
Having done a lot of slabbing over the last year, I will never again use
cement/sand mix for pointing the gaps.
I always use brush-in ready made mortar mix, around £15 for a small
bucket.£25ish for a large one.
Gives a good finish, does not mark the slabs, and very easily applied.
See here fir oen make of it:
http://www.ecofil.co.uk/

Alan.

Any idea why they call it Ecofil? Doesn't appear to have any 'eco'
credentials or claims.

'eco' as in economical.



Quite possible I suppose. Rather put off that interpretation by the
price. :-)

--
Rod

Hypothyroidism is a seriously debilitating condition with an insidious
onset.
Although common it frequently goes undiagnosed.
www.thyromind.info www.thyroiduk.org www.altsupportthyroid.org