Replacing mortar in patio

Martyn_H

Hi

I'm hoping some builders can help me here as I'm not looking forward to this job!

The man who did my patio botched the mortaring and I'm now left with a few places where it's crumbling.

When I spoke to another builder, he said that the guy shouldn't have used sharp sand as it has poor adherence. His recommendation was:

2 x soft sand
1 x builder's sand
1 x cement

I have a couple of questions:

What is builder's sand?
The mortar joints are grey (as opposed to the yellow you see in brickwork), so how do I make the mixture more grey without adding too much cement/
what ratio should I use?

Thank you.

Canucklehead

Good morning: This link should answer most of your questions...
http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/BRICKWORK1.htm

HTH

Canucklehead

Martyn_H

Thank you but it doesn't appear to answer my specific questions.

Canucklehead

Round two....
Cement additive i.e. grey dye to colour mortar available at www.wickes.co.uk (as well as helpful booklets on most things DIY) http://www.wickes.co.uk/content/ebiz/wickes/resources/images/gil/14.pdf ) Builder's sand...quick look at www.google.co.uk revealed http://www.pavingexpert.com/mortars.htm.

Free advice doesn't mean you are getting a definitive answer to your specific questions...we do try to provide help TBNT

Canucklehead

Martyn_H

Thank you for your replies but I did research those sites before I came here.

Canucklehead

You must have found your answers then!;) It is always rewarding to know that a fellow MSEr has found a solution to his/her problem.

Good luck with your project.

Canucklehead

Martyn_H

With respect, you misunderstand me. I came here not finding the answers to my questions on the other sites.

Could anyone else help please?

Inactive

" Builders Sand " is more commonly known as " Soft Sand ", I am not an expert on these matters but I believe the mix needs to be applied dry, and natural moisture will harden it off, this to avoid staining, any surplus can be swept off.

A few test mixes with added cement dye, left to dry, will get the correct colour balance.

greyteam1959

Builders sand = yellow sand
Rake all the mortar out and start again........then you wont have to match the colour.
5 parts yellow sand to 1 part cement add some PVA to the water.
Or get somebody in that knows what he is doing !!!!!!!!!!!!

Martyn_H

mervyn11 wrote: »

Builders sand = yellow sand
Rake all the mortar out and start again........then you wont have to match the colour.
5 parts yellow sand to 1 part cement add some PVA to the water.
Or get somebody in that knows what he is doing !!!!!!!!!!!!

Why make a dull job bigger than it has to be?
Not sure how to take your last sentence???

Canucklehead

Martyn_H wrote: »

With respect, you misunderstand me. I came here not finding the answers to my questions on the other sites.

Could anyone else help please?

I posted a link to pavingexpert.com...your answer i.e. types of sand is there...

http://www.pavingexpert.com/aggs01.html#sand as well as information on additives... http://www.pavingexpert.com/mortars.htm .

In fact, this website was recommended by a fellow MSEr ,Divadee, in 2004 http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1623&highlight=pavingexpert.com and is the best resource I have come across on the subject...IMHO give it another look.;)

Canucklehead