Patio slabs mottling

stuart45

Concrete Finisher - American Institute for Innovative Apprenticeship
There's a bit more to the job than garden paths. Polished concrete finishes for floors and worktops alone take a fair bit of practice.

Bendy_House

Did any of the reviewers return later to say they'd improved, Liverpool?

There's every chance that they will weather more evenly, so personally I wouldn't try anything on them until they've had at least a year to sort themselves out first.

I wouldn't seal them, as - whilst this will darken them (a bit like if they were wet) - the variation will still show through, and it'll prevent weathering. Ie, you'll be stuck with the pattern for longer. (I guess, if you have a spare slab, or one tucked away round a corner, then you could always try this if you wish, just in case sealer DOES even it out satisfactorally. But, even if it does, I'd still give it a year since sealer will work - stick to - slightly weathered surfaces better, so best wait in any case.)

Paint will certainly work, but then you'll be giving yourself another job for life.

'Trowel burn' and 'chatter'... Wow

stuart45

Bendy_House said:

'Trowel burn' and 'chatter'... Wow

although it looks like that, the slabs are probably intended to have that appearance. 
Most concrete paths in the UK have a tamp or brush finish so you never see these issues. It would be unusual to see a concrete patio with a trowel finish here. It's hard enough to find someone to lay slabs properly.

Liverpool85

Bendy_House said:

Did any of the reviewers return later to say they'd improved, Liverpool?

There's every chance that they will weather more evenly, so personally I wouldn't try anything on them until they've had at least a year to sort themselves out first.

I wouldn't seal them, as - whilst this will darken them (a bit like if they were wet) - the variation will still show through, and it'll prevent weathering. Ie, you'll be stuck with the pattern for longer. (I guess, if you have a spare slab, or one tucked away round a corner, then you could always try this if you wish, just in case sealer DOES even it out satisfactorally. But, even if it does, I'd still give it a year since sealer will work - stick to - slightly weathered surfaces better, so best wait in any case.)

Paint will certainly work, but then you'll be giving yourself another job for life.

'Trowel burn' and 'chatter'... Wow

There’s quite a few reviews with the similar colour issue but no one came back with anything, someone suggested a paint or stencil.

It just just be how those slabs are. Our grey ones didn’t have such variations but had weathered a lot. 

I love the colour of them wet but yes you can still see the variation it’s just less noticeable, but good point it preventing weathering.

lots of the patio will be covered with a veranda so May weather differently also. I can see how things go over the first year like you say then consider going forwards. I didn’t pick the slabs, I’d just asked for the same as before- these are the same type but the colour variation not what I expected, tho the old slabs were darker grey rather than pier beige. Budget was limited so we just wanted basic as I knew that type of slab weathered well for kids to play and chalk on, I was more concerned they get laid well with a good fall and drainage, which we got.

Thanks for the tips 

stuart45

Acid etching can change the colour of concrete, and make it more uniform.
Depends how far you want to go with it.
Looking on the Bradstone site it does state that these slabs are not recommended for feature patios, more for a shed base or utility areas, such as under your bins.
Don't think B&Q make that too clear. 

Liverpool85

Ah good spot! Yes they are utility pavers- b&q really don’t make that clear!! They do look otherwise the same as what we had already from the original new build developer but must be slightly different hence the colour variation.

we have them as a shed base but then it extends to do a path and patio. That makes sense why they have that colour and are a bit rough around the edges. 

Sounds like letting them settle and weather a bit is a good idea, then maybe painting or seal tinting for asthetics down the line 

Keep_pedalling

I would not spend any money on sorting out what is just a cosmetic issue, especially if you kids are going to be coving them with chalk drawings. They will weather over time and lichens will grow on them which will give them an aged look.

stuart45

Spoke to a friend of mine who's a pavior and asked why these slabs look like this. He told me that as they are utility slabs they aren't fully cured before they are packed, unlike the better quality ones. Known as differential weathering.

Liverpool85

stuart45 said:

Spoke to a friend of mine who's a pavior and asked why these slabs look like this. He told me that as they are utility slabs they aren't fully cured before they are packed, unlike the better quality ones. Known as differential weathering.

Thanks, yes this seems to be it, they are Bradstone peak utility pavers- b&q didn’t make it clear they aren’t supposed to be for feature paving.
not a whole lot I can do now they are down, all concreted solid in. Will let the kids chalk and play n them and the think about tinting or painting down the line