Jointing advice for pavers please!

[CP_79]

Hi all,

I'm new to this, so please excuse my ignorance, but I'd really value some advice.

I recently moved house and noticed that the block patio adjoining the house at the rear of the property does not appear to have any jointing between the pavers. I don't have a photo of my own, but the patio is pretty much identical to this one:

http://www.pavingexpert.com/images/blocks/penta_02.jpg

I believe these are clay pavers. Does this type of construction require jointing between the pavers, and if so, what type is best ? It just seems strange that there is no evidence of any jointing ever being there. Unless its all worn away over the years and was never replaced. Any advice greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

[mickg]

you can purchase kiln dried sand from most builders merchants or B&Q, open the bag and tip some onto the paving and brush over the surface to fill the joints

then remove all the surplus sand from the surface of the paving and the job is completed

its best if this is completed on a dry day and the blocks are dry too or the sand will not go into the joints if it get wet

[CP_79]

Thanks mickg,

Do you think there may be a reason though that the patio blocks was not sealed in the first place? I was thinking that it may be to allow water to permeate into the ground and prevent possible pooling next to the house ? I'm a bit worried if I seal the blocks then I might have some future issues with standing water. On the other hand, because there is no visible jointing material, we're getting weed growth between the blocks. So Im a bit torn as to what to do!

[mickg]

block paving joints should always be kept filled to the top as its the kiln dried sand what gives friction to the other blocks and holds it all in place plus it eliminate seeds to a certain degree from falling into the joints and germinating, you cant stop a seed from being caught on the corner of a block and germinating though

sealing paving will cause other problems if the paving does not have adequate fall to disperse surface water then you will get lying water on the surface which could cause discolouration with green and black slime due to dampness but with the paving being sealed it might just brush off in early days but wont when the sealing is due for renewal a few years later, also bare in mind once you start to seal it will require to be repeated every few years

what ever way you decide proceed the paving does need additional kiln dried sand to fill the joints to the top anyway or you may find some of the blocks will start to move or sink, if you decide to seal the paving then that is up to you as its personal choice, I have never sealed any paving in all the time I have laid block paving as I like to see the paving when damp and the colours shimmer and also the pastel colours when its bone dry

I am told there is a very good cleaning product called MMC pro a very effective way to treat and prevent mould, algae and moss on all hard surfaces without the need for pressure washing or Scrubbing Required

MMC Pro

I have not tried it myself but a lot of the garden maintenance guys use it for cleaning hard surfaces without the need to pressure wash first, other places sell this product I posted this link as an example

hope this helps

[CP_79]

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.
Regarding the kiln sand, I've seen this product. Is it one that you know of ?

http://www.dansand.co.uk/products/block-paving-sand/

I don't know if its any good, but it claims to be formulated at alkaline pH and therefore inhibits weed growth. It also says it's not suitable for clay pavers, but doesn't say why - but I'm assuming the high pH could be detrimental to the clay ?

By the way (this is probably very stupid!) but how do I know if my pavers are definitely clay or concrete ? They seem to have a 'speckling' throughout the brick which I assume is some kind of aggregate. Would this imply concrete ?

[mickg]

I have never used dan sand but I have never heard any positive comments relating to it either, it cost nearly 3 times more than conventional kiln dried sand so that's your call really

if the paving is identical to the photo you posted above then its concrete, like you say speckling is a sign of the aggregate, with clay you don't get that surface appearance plus most clay paving are 200mm x 100mm in size

if you are still not sure post a photo and I can tell if its concrete or clay

[CP_79]

Thanks again, I think it does sound like its concrete in that case. I had taken a picture, but Im not sure how to upload it without posting it somewhere on the net and linking to it.

Anyway, I found this picture, which I think represents quite well the appearance of our pavers:

http://www.troweltradessupply.com/Assets....t01.jpg

Most likely concrete in this case ?

[mickg]

yes that is the surface texture of block paving

the only way to post a photo on the forum is to upload it to the web and then link to it

[CP_79]

Great. Thanks for all your help. I'll give the sand a go this weekend (weather permitting!).