Granolithic mortar - Wet or dry mix

[Mr T]

I'm wanting to repoint a large yorkshire stone patio that has irregular gaps between the slabs. The patio is in a partly sheltered section of a south facing garden so gets plenty of frost and rain in the winter and lots of sun in the summer. The previous owners of the house have patched the pointing over the years with a traditional cement\sand mix however I want something that will be durable and have been recommended to use a dry granothlithic mix. What is best - wet or dry and what mix ratio 6 x Grano 1 sx and 2 x cement?

[haggistini]

For a consistent colour and easy quick solution you may want to look at using polymeric sand jointing compound?

[Mr T]

Great - many thanks. Given that some of the gaps between stones are as wide as 3cm with the odd patch bein geven wider! would you recommend a fully bonding polymeric sand. Also can you advise where I can get this stuff from?:)

[haggistini]

It's expensive for massive joints or large areas and really speaking all the joints should be cleaned out first but if you have not pointed before I would go down this route what area is it?

[Mr T]

It's expensive for massive joints or large areas and really speaking all the joints should be cleaned out first but if you have not pointed before I would go down this route what area is it?

The area is approx 12sqm and I reckon there must be at least 40-50 linear mtr of pointing to do. All the joints are cleared out - took ages!!!

[ilovesettsonmondays]

hi , i have laid vast amounts of yorkstone mainly in the centre of london .with the amount of foot traffic we had and the dreaded street cleaners , i would just use sand and cement . mix 7 soft sand , 1 sharp and 4 cement . you wont have any problems anymore

[Mr T]

Thanks - I'll go with your recomendation. Should this be a wet or dry mix - (I hope you say dry!!!)

[Turbina Magnum]

Thanks - I'll go with your recomendation. Should this be a wet or dry mix - (I hope you say dry!!!)

it has to flow in to joints
but if you have no experience and only 12 m2 - i would just by rampox or similar special grouting stuff. Pour out - brush off - go home and have a tea.

[simeonronacrete]

Heavy traffic, frost, rain, sun suggests that you should beef up your mortar with an admixture to up the strength, reduce shrinkage, improve adhesion and resist freezing/thawing and frost attack.

Rather than just using water use half Ronafix and half water added to the cement, sand and aggregate to give semi-dry or wet workability as suits your needs. Trowel in and compact, smooth level.

Avoid staining the tops of the paving as Ronafix is designed to stick - like sh*t to a blanket!

Ronafix for bedding