Problems with polymeric sand compounds - Life time issues with epoxy jointing

[Botanical]

I had high hopes for these jointing compounds but have found, on revisiting sites after a winter in Scotland, issues with the life expectancy of these products. My issues are with silting up of the porous nature of the product when used in patio flags. It appears that in places these products get blocked up with silt and then waterlogged. This encourages moss and other growth including slime moulds and I have found it easy to pry out large sections of the jointing with a screwdriver. It is not adhering to the flags or the bedding and looks terrible. For the time being I have returned to a sand cement jointing mortar as though the epoxy sands were a fantastic saving in labour time I fear they will prove poor ambassadors for my business.

Is this an issue in damp climates such as Scotland? Why are these products always permeable, I am constantly getting enquiries about puddling on block paving when it is sold as permeable paving. It gets silted up quickly and does not drain so these installations are not as sold. Personally I don't touch block paving jobs.

Just looking for some feedback on jointing compounds in wet climates. Thanks

[msh paving]

What product are you using?,the permable block paving we need more detail as to how its laid, MSH

[Bob_A]

I got to say I'm not impressed with my Rompox Easy that was installed 18 months ago with my Indian Sandstone.
Firstly within a month a quarter of it shrunk within the joints.
Rompox Ray visited and gave me enough to replace what had shrunk, done that and I thought that was the end of it but now everytime I clean it I find it eroding away.
I was going to get back to Ray but to be honest I don't really like the look of Rompox Easy, it looks too porous to me and attracts dirt and that includes the replacement stuff.
Next summer i might angle grind all 58sq metres of it and replace it with something like Easipoint
I'm annoyed cos the Rompox Easy it cost me £250+

[Botanical]

I got to say I'm not impressed with my Rompox Easy that was installed 18 months ago with my Indian Sandstone.

It was Rompox that I used. And the block paving is not my work but just a observation made over 5 years. Its not permeable after an amount of time.

[msh paving]

I got to say I'm not impressed with my Rompox Easy that was installed 18 months ago with my Indian Sandstone.

It was Rompox that I used. And the block paving is not my work but just a observation made over 5 years. Its not permeable after an amount of time.

i would be very surprised if permable paving has been fitted for 5 years,as it has not been around that long MSH

[London Stone Paving]

This subject comes up more and more. I know a few of the lads on this site have had some negative experiences of the brush in's.

There is definately a market for this type of product, but i think some more product development is required.

I dont see why it needs to be permeable, I always thought the point of paving was that the surface water runs off to a point of your choosing, not dribbles into the gaps, although surely if you put a correct fall on a patio, 95% of the water should run off before it has time to settle into the gaps. It would be really good to hear everybody's opinions on this

[DNgroundworks]

Ive never used the brush in versions, ive only used the two part resin slurrys. i just couldnt understand, with it being effectively dry how it could adhere to anything consolidate itself?

[Pablo]

I've used these products a lot over the years but stopped this year due to this very thing. The joint can be easily cleaned but it gradually rubs away because it's not bonded well enough. I've always pushed it in and struck it up and the finish is lovely and the clients are always happy but having looked at a few this year the compound is far to soft and can easily be dug out with a screw driver or van key. I've had the same results with both Rompox easy and GFTK 840 which are the market leaders but Steve's right the market potential is huge but more development is needed. I've not had any problems with any of the slurry jointing types but there cost and installation method make them more expensive than mortar so pointless to use on a domestic job.



Edited By Pablo on 1324333027

[ambient]

i found that the permeable resin jointing is the problem on indian stone you lay the flags on sand and cement bed so its not permeable then you put rompox or marshalls 365 which are permeable water gets into joints and its got nowhere to go freezes and then you get problems with it deteriorating/coming out

[local patios and driveway]

Im still doing it the old way, still works, still lasts. Yeah it takes more labour but is a cheaper product, i give 10yr guaruntee on my work and im 13yrs in still no comebacks

[Pablo]

Im still doing it the old way, still works, still lasts. Yeah it takes more labour but is a cheaper product, i give 10yr guaruntee on my work and im 13yrs in still no comebacks

I give a 10 yr guarantee aswell infact I'm the only one who does everyone else is 5 yr max and I'm worried this is going to bite me in the arse. A few hundred quid max should fix each patio but there's potentially a lot of them that'll need fixing. Hopefully most folk have moved house but that's prbably wishful thinking for anything done over the last 4 years. :p

[local patios and driveway]

Pablo you got to have faith in the work you are doing. I give a lifetime gauruntee to anyone over 99 years old.

[London Stone Paving]

Seems like all the negative feedback is coming from the one part product. In my experience the 2 part products are much more robust but the problem is that they leave a nasty sheen on the paving which takes at least 6 months to start to go away. For this reason the two part product is a non starter for us as customers will not accept shiny paving

[Botanical]

Ok that seems unanimous as to the continued use of these products. But what can I do with the 60 kg I have left over in my store.

[Pablo]

ebay or gumtree should shift it quick enough.