Repointing flagstones

[Pigeonho]

With Spring, (hopefully), not too far away it's that time where I get my fat arse out in the garden to get it ready for the BBQ's and piss ups it regularly hosts. With it being World Cup year i'm sure there will be many more to come, and I wanting it looking particularly good this year. When we moved in, (we being me and my slag ex), we were told the patio would need repointing in the coming years, so this seems like as good-a-time as any. Has anyone ever done it? I'm guessing I need to clear all the moss out between the stones so there's a gap, then just fill in the gaps with new mortar? I have read you can buy a mortar gun and ready mixed mortar, whereas i was just going to brush some loose mixed stuff between the gaps? Any advice, cos I know tempers will be frayed when I start this and I want it to go as smooth as possible because me and DIY do not get on.

 

[manchester blue]

I would say you need to clear more than just the moss. You need to give it a blast with the jet wash really to get deep or the new stuff will wash out.

I made a mistake when I did mine by using sandstone as the compound which was then sealed with something that goes white till it dries but it soon turns to muck.

Got a quote for £250 to redo it all in cement which I think I'll do soon.

 

[Paul powers moustache]

Jet wash it off ( you will be surprised at the result ) and scrape as much of the old mortar as you can from the joints .

Then in a bucket mix three parts sharp sand with one part cement and brush it in the joints ( choose a dry day ) and when you have filled all the spaces get a fine sprinkler rose on your watering can and give it a drink .

In the morning it will look like new



Steve

 

[Pigeonho]

Lovely advice. Nice one lads. Lookin forward to doing it myself actually. When you say brush it in, do you mean like dump a load in a divided segment of the patio, and use that amount to fill that segment? Or dumpt the foookin lot in the middle and brush all over?! I know thats a thicko moment but just wondering which is the best way.

 

[Paul powers moustache]

As long as it goes in the spaces and not all over the flag stones it doesnt matter how you do it .

If you leave any dry mortar mix on top of your flags then it will look shit when you wet it

 

[mammutly]

Jet wash it off ( you will be surprised at the result ) and scrape as much of the old mortar as you can from the joints .

Then in a bucket mix three parts sharp sand with one part cement and brush it in the joints ( choose a dry day ) and when you have filled all the spaces get a fine sprinkler rose on your watering can and give it a drink .

In the morning it will look like new



Steve

This is complete and utter spot on edness

 

[warpig]

this site should help you out pigeonhio. is really good

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag1.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag1.htm</a>

*edit*

this is better link ^^^^^^^

 

[scall11]

Jet wash it off ( you will be surprised at the result ) and scrape as much of the old mortar as you can from the joints .

Then in a bucket mix three parts sharp sand with one part cement and brush it in the joints ( choose a dry day ) and when you have filled all the spaces get a fine sprinkler rose on your watering can and give it a drink .

In the morning it will look like new
Steve

It's like this, but without the expensive product they're flogging in the video. And you just need to give it a light spray of water to get it all to set.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yB8PW3cgeY[/youtube]

I'm going mine over the weekend hopefully. Gonna jetwash it, do the cement/sand mix and once it's all done and set in a week or so, gonna seal it with driveway seal to stop the moss and algae coming back (It won't stop it completely, but it'll help).

Be wary of doing it when there's frost about. If you have wet mortar, then the water in it can freeze, and eventually crack the mortar before it's properly set and dried.

 

[Pigeonho]

Nice one, really appreciate the effort lads. Looks like a job i can do no worries. I think my mistress, Stella, will give me a helping hand, i'm sure.

 

[manchester blue]

Scall - do you reckon it looks better with the jointing compound or mortar? I am really undecided. Mine are pretty much like the ones in the video. Can't make my mind up and my mate puts me off the mortar but I like the low maintenance of it.