Forum home› Tools and techniques

Garden slabs pointing

rage707rage707 Posts: 1
in Tools and techniques
My garden slabs were lain in 2009 and nothing has been down to them since save me pressure washing them for the first time 5 days ago. The sand/cement mix between the slabs could do with topping up. Is there an alternative to sand/cement? Is there a very heavy sand I could sprinkle in that doesn't need mixing with cement since I'm just "topping up" to prevent water getting down there?

TIA
Steve

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    It's the cement which makes the pointing mix waterproof.  You could use sand, like is done for block paving.  Unfortunately, experience shows that using just sand provides ideal conditions for weed seeds to germinate.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,409
    edited December 2021
    You can get a dry sand/cement mix that you just brush in to the cracks and then water. It works quite well - I used some when I made a circle with stone setts and has lasted several years. I've lost count exactly how many!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,341
    I had a new patio put in 18 months ago.
    The pointing they used was a mix of crushed black granite (plenty of other colours available) with a linseed oil based binder. I don't know what it's called though.
    It looks great.
    The only niggle is that after prolonged summer rain algae filaments (blanketweed) start to grow from it, but easy to brush off.
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,249
    There are a few products which can be swept into the cracks and watered in, maybe something like this? You're probably best raking out all the joints first so it looks better and lasts longer.


  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,466
    My Old man lifted our patio which is roughly 36 by 30 feet,plus side paths. Re laid on sand,used sand/cement mix mortar,we still get weeds
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 11,199
    Many thanks @Loxley, looks just what I need.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,368
    edited December 2021
    I did my mum path last year in Indian stone and used Sika pointing that Loxley has mentioned, it is good value for money if you hate pointing like me but one tub doesn't go as far as I hoped I did about 14 square metres of pointing ( doesn't include down the sides of the path ) . You do need to press it in as well and remove air pockets so its not a true brush in and leave , a brush in and leave proper stuff cost over a £100 a bag according to my step brother whose a landscaper .  I go to a job thats had been reflagged about 2 year ago , he had used the brush in stuff but its collapsed in the joints here and there where they were room for air / water to get in and sit. 

    I think its worth having a go with the sika but it need around 10mm of depth in the joints if I remember correctly to work properly 
Sign In or Register to comment.