Patio Grouting - Need Advice

Soldato
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Wilt of the Shire
The grouting on my patio is looking a bit pathetic so I've raked it all out in preparation for some new grout. My mate's visiting this weekend and he's a builder. He said it's best to grout the patio with a mortar like grout so it sets hard (like brickwork). However, looking around on the web and most people suggest using the sort that you brush in and leave it to go hard. Anyone done their patio lately?
 
Either is fine it'll be more difficult to get wet mortar between the slabs where as you can brush in a sand and cement lean mix and let nature do the rest, I'd say though the only thing you'll have to think about is if you want to 'point' between the slabs you won't be able to if you brush in
 
I've been thinking about this lately too, if we ever get a dry day that I'm off I'll be doing option two - brush in and let it set. My thinking is that it'll have time to get into the gaps etc and give a tighter finish.

Oooh matron.
 
If you decide to use mortar, get yourself a mortar gun to make life easier. They are pretty cheap and are a lot faster to use and less likely to stain slabs.
 
How big are the gaps between slabs? If small I'd imagine that getting wet mortar in the gap without smearing it all over your slabs would be tricky.

I'm hopefully laying a patio in a few weeks time and am planning to butt the slabs up very close so I shouldn't really need much in between.

I've also heard that a mortar gun mentioned elsewhere as a good way to fill the gaps.
 
Mix it dry. Brush it in. Then gently spay some water using a fine hose. Let it set. Job done.
 
I was told about a product called GeoFix a little while back. I haven't used it, but it seems like a good product and the guy recommending it was a general builder doing some unrelated work for me.

It's brushed in dry like sand and cement, and can then be compacted using a pointing tool. It goes off with moisture from the air i think, and is supposed to be resistant to frost damage and also water permeable to stop puddles forming, or remaining at least, on your patio.
 
Mix it dry. Brush it in. Then gently spay some water using a fine hose. Let it set. Job done.

So it's just normal sand and cement? What mix of these would I use then? Would I also have to point to make it look nice? I've no idea when it comes to building stuff!
 
I was told about a product called GeoFix a little while back. I haven't used it, but it seems like a good product and the guy recommending it was a general builder doing some unrelated work for me.

It's brushed in dry like sand and cement, and can then be compacted using a pointing tool. It goes off with moisture from the air i think, and is supposed to be resistant to frost damage and also water permeable to stop puddles forming, or remaining at least, on your patio.

Just watched a video of it being used and it looks so easy I might be able to do it :D Don't think they sell it at the big DIY chains though so I'd have to order it over the net.
 
So it's just normal sand and cement? What mix of these would I use then? Would I also have to point to make it look nice? I've no idea when it comes to building stuff!

Dry Brush, 3 parts fine sand/ 1 part cement, brush it in, no pointing required, just done mine last week and its perfect, let the mornng dew wet it to set later, or as suggested before, fine spray it with hose, on a nice day and let it set.

job done, and some pics ;)

N9Ucjh.jpg

5Htwvh.jpg
 
Dry Brush, 3 parts fine sand/ 1 part cement, brush it in, no pointing required, just done mine last week and its perfect, let the mornng dew wet it to set later, or as suggested before, fine spray it with hose, on a nice day and let it set.

job done, and some pics ;)

That looks nice mate but I'd like the grout to be more of a buff colour to match my paving slabs.
 
Thanks, I looked at this and something similar from Wickes. Did you point it afterwards or just brush it in and leave it? Wont be doing anything today though - bloody rain. Oh well, more time on GW2, every cloud has a silver lining!


I raked all the old stuff out with an angle grinder and a meaty diamond disc:

41187.jpg


Then just brush the mixture in and leave it to set, it's very claggy so you have to work it in with the brush, but once it's in and set it looks pretty good!

Here's an after shot:

patio.jpg
 
I did a dry mortar mix on mine that I brushed in then sprinkled with a bit of water. Its set rock hard.
 
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