Why no more than 60mm?

Forestboy1978 · Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:17 pm

I'll remember that one!

Bout time for nap nap now I think!

Forestboy1978 · Wed Feb 22, 2012 6:57 pm

Ok I started the patio today as there were some bits and bobs I had to sort out which took forever.

Now I'm having a bit of a panic. Got about 5m2 done by lunch time. (its not calibrated, it slow going) and then it started raining.

I had just finished mortaring the joints on this area. I covered everything with what I had available which was a small tarp and some plastic sheeting but now it's still spitting and I am worrying that its going to run on the paving. I hadn't the chance to sweep away the mortar from the jointing cos it hadn't dried. There is a fair bit of it under there.

Am I screwed or not do you think.... raaaaaa

Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:09 pm

yes
why did you even start pointing when today was forecast to be wet?
5m2 by lunch is ok, if you are on day work
more important than speed is getting it dalmation first time
LLL

Forestboy1978 · Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:12 pm

1 cos I wanted to point and lay at the same time for obvious reason and2 cos it wasn't supposed to rain today said my mobile phone and although it looked dodgy I though it would only spit here and there!

How badly screwed am I?

shit

Forestboy1978 · Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:18 pm

I'm dying here.... It's gonna stain to bugger isn't it!

Is it gonna have to be taken up or can I get it off?

DNgroundworks · Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:40 pm

cant understand why you would lay and point at the same time, id go back tomora rake the joints out a swill the paving down and hope for the best, its hard to say without seeing it

Forestboy1978 · Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:54 pm

It wasn't at exactly the same time. It was a couple of hours after starting. I wanted the joints to bind with the base.

I'm screwed. There's a ton of 3 to 1 mortar sitting under damp tarp dusted all over the place.

I couldn't brush it off cos it was still damp and I didn't want to smudge it into the paving. Wishing I took my chances now. It's only spitting so maybe, just maybe I'll get away with it.

i'm really pissed off

rab1 · Post: # 74192Post **rab1** Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:03 pm

is it properly protected (covered) or is it, my god cover it quick type covering. if its the former you`ll be fine. ???

Forestboy1978 · Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:08 pm

Somewhere halfway between the two. My large heavy duty tarp was used up on the driveway and my others were covering my cement. I had a small one left that covered 85% the rest was membrane and plastic bags. all these were on the lower tranverse or cross fall part though so leaked joins should run off.

This is a mistake I will not make again.

Gonna get in early tomorrow!

Thanks for that little glimpse of hope!

Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:52 pm

I have never laid and pointed at the same time
forecast was for potential showers today
met office for next 5 days
it sounds like a royale with cheese to me
sorry forest
LLL

Forestboy1978 · Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:50 pm

Got away with it. There is an area of approx .5m2 that has some white smears but I think I can get them off and they are subtle anyway.

I mortar within 2 hours of laying cos I read on this site that that is the most professional way of doing it as the pointing binds with the base. Dunno it makes sense!

Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:17 pm

white smears ,subtle,
good luck
it may indeed be best to point as you go or within 2 hours of laying but that is NOT always practicable with injun stone
the most important thing on any job is the finish
and if the pointing is all done at once it will be uniform
if it is done a bit here and a bit there it will look patchwork
LLL

Forestboy1978 · Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:58 pm

I can't see how it will be patchwork if it is measured out with a skimmed off measuring jug each mix exactly the same quantities?

Like I say it's only 1/2m2 and the smears are low contrast. If it has to be taken up so be it!

Pablo · Post: # 74219Post **Pablo** Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:16 pm

I don't think I've ever pointed on the same day it would be so much slower for one thing. I never leave the pointing to chance weather wise and most paving needs and good scrubbing once it's down so it would be impossible to do anyway. Indian stone has a v joint so the mortar can't be blown out and doesn't have to bond with the bedding.

Forestboy1978 · Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:24 pm

got any advice on cleaning agents Pablo? So far there is not to much in the way of grime, it's quite clean, some hand impressions here and there. I'm a bit concerned about the cement residue. there are 3 very low contrast pale shades on 3 slabs. The customer thinks it's fantastic even at this stage so I'm not worried but I want it to look perfect!

When I get it clean I was thinking of using a colour intensifier and seal it. Not sure what the best to use is for sandstone!