Advice on which pointing method

[RossH]

First let me congratulate you on a fantastic web-site . As a novice DIY patio builder you have helped me enormously so far, but I have a dilema which I hope you can help with.

I will be laying a patio approx 11m sq with stonemarket millstone flags (original colour) on a 10:1 sand:concrete bedding as you describe (I've laid a 75mm MOT type 1 sub-base, due to being on clay). The dilema I have is with the pointing. I see you are very keen on a dark mortar with riven paving and I am considering doing this. If I decide to go for coloured mortar, and as a novice with no pointing experience (yet!), would you advise I do the pointing with standard "wet" class II mortar, or go for the "dry" pointing method in your case example.

Many thanks

[K-TEK]

I`d go for semi dry mortar mix ( so doesnt stain ) pointed with brick work jointing iron, packed tight in to joints, nice smooth finish & brush off snots once it has dried up!!

[RossH]

I`d go for semi dry mortar mix ( so doesnt stain ) pointed with brick work jointing iron, packed tight in to joints, nice smooth finish & brush off snots once it has dried up!!

So if I go for the semi dry mix method as outlined here http://www.pavingexpert.com/point04.htm can you confirm that I can lay all the flags and don't have to to the pointing immediately - I can wait until a dry 24 hour period can be guranteed before I do the pointing

[alan ditchfield]

There are a few good pointing compounds available that range from a golden yellow to black and can be used in the rain with weather as unpredictable as ours this may be the best option and if you opt for the black mortar and you are not very experienced in pointing there is a good chance you will end up with a few stains.
PS. Just stay away from Geofix.

[K-TEK]

I`d second that geofix is crap, hand pointings only way for decent finish just take your time! fine to point next day!

[RossH]

Just some follow up
Most of the flags are laid, and I think it looks good. I'll try and get a photograph sometime. Can anyone tell me how much (roughly) pointing mortar I will need to do 11m sq of random riven paving (stonemarket millstone, all sizes used) - so that I know how much mortar pigment to buy.

Thanks

[Tony McC]

From a calculator I don't publish.....


Jointing (Using a 4:1 sand/cement mortar)

Washed Building Sand 55Kg
Ordinary Portland Cement 1bag @ 25Kg
Optional Mortar Dye 1Kg