Broken patio jointing

ChilliBob

Hey guys, 

My folks patio, of about 15 years old, has some issues with the pointing. Some parts are missing and some parts have cracks. (See pictures below).

I'm wondering how I can fix this for them? I've considered..

1. Some mortar in a tube that my Mum got from Wickes, looks okay (Express pointing mortar)

2. Small tub of the brush in stuff - shoudocne easy to do but I worry it won't match as it's more of a sandy texture perhaps

3. Oldskool sand and cement - this is really a last resort - as the bags of both are massive, and I have no experience mixing it or using it.

Advice much appreciated!



Whilst the pictures don't show it some joints are a bit wider and have more like hairline cracks as opposed to bits missing as per the above. 

cymruchris

I've used this before - very easy:

https://www.toolstation.com/sika-fastfix-all-weather-jointing-compound/p61352?store=OD&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=_dc&pcrid=null&pkw=null&pmt=null&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6-3BhBWEiwApN6_kp-7gdGnVLKA3lIbPdJQMuIvF5c8dnUmUk9gCv5PVaXY_tbbmVI7DRoC61EQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Rake out anything loose - pull out any weeds - brush away any soild and dirt - and then pop this in the gaps. Leave it to set over a few days, and it'll last a good while.

ChilliBob

We have similar in our patio. Does it play well with existing oldskool joints? I worried it wouldn't stick to them! 

Albermarle

cymruchris said:

I've used this before - very easy:

https://www.toolstation.com/sika-fastfix-all-weather-jointing-compound/p61352?store=OD&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=_dc&pcrid=null&pkw=null&pmt=null&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6-3BhBWEiwApN6_kp-7gdGnVLKA3lIbPdJQMuIvF5c8dnUmUk9gCv5PVaXY_tbbmVI7DRoC61EQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Rake out anything loose - pull out any weeds - brush away any soild and dirt - and then pop this in the gaps. Leave it to set over a few days, and it'll last a good while.

Something I need to do at some point as well, so thanks for the link.
Pity it only comes in quite a large size. Also interesting to see there is quite a price difference for different colours.

ChilliBob

The express mortar is far cheaper, if you don't have much. Not sure how good it is, something tells me it might be better for the thinner gaps of say 1-2mm. I suspect this stuff wouldn't work in a much smaller gap.

I think Screwfix have a smaller tub of their own brand one. 

Our patio they used easy joint, I have to say I wasn't blown away and they needed about 5 tubs!! I think they didn't do it right tbh! 

stuart45

You could get a bag of this if you only want to fill in the missing bits.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-multipurpose-mortar-grey-5kg/452HN?gclid=75d5a67c60081e53d0f8c0910b17f0b1&gclsrc=3p.
To do a proper job though, the lot wants raking out.

cymruchris

stuart45 said:

You could get a bag of this if you only want to fill in the missing bits.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-multipurpose-mortar-grey-5kg/452HN?gclid=75d5a67c60081e53d0f8c0910b17f0b1&gclsrc=3p.
To do a proper job though, the lot wants raking out.

The only downside with mortar/cement is that it doesn't let water filter through like the stuff I linked (and other similar products) - if you're doing big chunks of joints it's better to use something permeable so that you minimise pooling on those heavy rainy days.

ChilliBob

stuart45 said:

You could get a bag of this if you only want to fill in the missing bits.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-multipurpose-mortar-grey-5kg/452HN?gclid=75d5a67c60081e53d0f8c0910b17f0b1&gclsrc=3p.
To do a proper job though, the lot wants raking out.

Yeah, totally get you. It's not damaged enough to take it all out I don't think, and I don't think I could spare the time. If this is a tide over solution for a while that's probably fine 

stuart45

cymruchris said:

stuart45 said:

You could get a bag of this if you only want to fill in the missing bits.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-multipurpose-mortar-grey-5kg/452HN?gclid=75d5a67c60081e53d0f8c0910b17f0b1&gclsrc=3p.
To do a proper job though, the lot wants raking out.

The only downside with mortar/cement is that it doesn't let water filter through like the stuff I linked (and other similar products) - if you're doing big chunks of joints it's better to use something permeable so that you minimise pooling on those heavy rainy days.

It's if he wants to fill in the a few missing bits to match the existing, rather than a total repoint. Having permeable joints depends on having a permeable sub base. If slabs are layed on a concrete base, any moisture getting past the joints can sit on the base and in freezing conditions lift the slabs. When a patio is laid to the correct falls, ponding should not be a problem.

ChilliBob

I've no idea if the sub base is permeable or not. The slabs haven't moved or sagged in 15 years, so if it is then it's pretty decent I guess.

My worry is the compound will only be suitable for bigger chunks, so I could end up with some resin like bits, original pointing and express mortar, which might look hideous! 

stuart45

If you're not going to rake all the joints out and repoint the lot it's not worth using Sika anyway.