Patio Paving Joint Mortar

[NY_Resident]

Hi all

I’m rejointing our patio at the moment. Old jointing was cement based and has badly cracked etc. Not sure how long it has been there as I bought house from previous owners.

I’m looking at using either Romex Easy or JointIt to rejoint. Does anybody have any experience of these, and recommend one over the other?

JointIt would appear to be cheaper than Romex, but is the quality as good?

A couple of other pertinent points (1) the patio is approx 200 sq meters (2) joint widths and depth approximately 30mm deep and 25-30mm wide (3) natural stone paving; mix of 60x90, 60x60 and 60x30. So I know this is not going to be cheap! But now sure there are any credible alternatives??

Thanks

 

[PaddyBloggit]

But now sure there are any credible alternatives??

Wait for a dry day, clean out the joints and brush in a dry (or slightly damp) mix of fine sand and cement. Brush (hand brush the best) off the excess from the slabs.

Run along the joint with a piece of garden hose or something more rigid to create smooth joints.

Dampness from the ground will harden the mix.

Have a look at the following videos ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG52cIZNSD8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbH9audJtWU

 

[Palerider]

I had the expensive stuff you mention, it goes off quickly and if you use a power washer as you will at some point it will make holes over time.

Last year I redid it as outlined by the previous poster, the negative is that it is no longer porous and I get water under the door in my garage which I did not have before, that said it is a permanent job.
I suggest you use a colour when you mix the sand/cement to make it brownish otherwise it is a cement color, not that nice.

 

[Leo]

The specialist jointing sands are better suited to narrow joints, with joints as wide as you have you are probably better off with a regular mortar mix, coloured as required.

I used the specialist jointing sand on mine (narrow joints). Very easy to use, it flows well so easy to ensure it fills the full void, tapping the pavers with a rubber mallet helps there. No risk of staining that you can get with cement mixes. Still looks like new after 2+ years and no issues power washing it, but power washing will erode any jointing material over time.

 

[suzie]

Also review the website http://www.pavingexpert.com/
S.

 

[AlbacoreA]

I don't have growth coming through the Rompex, so its done its job in that regard. I'd use it again for that reason alone.

I have Romex and the joints are too wide. The patio wasn't done right IMO. Probably the cause of my issues with it. Its down about 5~10yrs
Lot of dirt and growth collects in our joints. If you power house it, it will lift the rompex in parts. Not everywhere only here and there. Might be due to poor installation.
If I do extended I'll completely redo the patio.

 

[Leo]

Lot of dirt and growth collects in our joints.

A good geotextile membrane underneath will eliminate most issue with growth, the only organic material for weeds to take hold in then is whatever ends up in the joints. Good tight joints helps keep that to a minimum.

 

[AlbacoreA]

I should clarify. Its not growth coming through the rompex. It where dirt and similar falls off the roof and is blown from the garden and collects in joins. So the growth is all on the top.

 

[NY_Resident]

Having spent the last 3 days on my knees knocking out the old mortar, it’s not very appealing to think about another week (I reckon at least!) of mixing and pointing with regular mortar!!

Thanks for all the feedback - very helpful. Just one last question — the big issue which the specialist mortar guys call out re regular mortar is the fact that it is not water permeable and that the frost will have it cracked in a few years. Anybody have any views on this disadvantage with regular v specialist mortar?

 

[Leo]

If the mortar wasn't permeable, water wouldn't get in at it in the first place. You can add a [broken link removed] to a wet mortar mix.

 

[NY_Resident]

Thanks for all the comments — 2.5 days in and i’ve repointed just over half of the patio. My back and knees hurt! Need some motivation.....how much would a job like this cost if I hired a paving contractor (say to rake out, power wash and repoint 200sq m of Indian sandstone slabs)?