In need of a 'man who can'! - Advice re: grouting

[Cornishgal]

Hello - am hoping to get some expert advice, and apologise in advance for my lack of technical knowledge/vocabulary. Am hoping that someone can comprehend.

I had a patio put down three and a half years ago - around October time. It is formed with slabs laid on top of what was originally there - concrete. From what I understand, each slab was laid using a dabbing (?) method - and by that I mean a dollop of something in each corner, with a further dollop in the centre. The cracks/joins were then grouted with something. When finished, I was pleased with it. It looked lovely, and was nice and flat.

However, after about 9 months, I started to notice weeds and moss growing through many of the joins, and now, two years later, one-third of the mortar stuff that had been used to 'grout' the joins has come out, and in some places leaving quite wide gaps. Furthermore, some of the slabs have become wobbly.

I contacted the original contractor who said that the weather will have been responsible, and thus what has happened is to be expected. However, this new patio was laid beyond an existing patio that was laid circa 20 years ago. That one is still perfect, no cracks at all in the joins, no weeds or moss. Clearly both have been subjected to the same weather conditions!

Contractor says that he will come out and undertake repairs - i.e. refill the gaps, but I will have to pay for it. I would just like a bit of advice so that I can sound a bit informed when he comes.

I hope all of that has made some sense and that someone can assist. I am more into cake-making than slab laying! :p

[London Stone Paving]

Cornish Gal

I am afraid to say that your patio needs completely re-laying.

The dab method that your contractor has used is not fit for purpose. Patios should be laid on a full bed of mortar and if done correctly will last for, well, until you get sick of the site of it and want a new one.

The reason the pointing has failed is because the slabs are all starting to come loose. the moment a slab comes loose and starts to move when walked upon, the pointing is doomed.

Even if he comes round and patches up, it will be a very short term fix because the slabs are loose now.

People make mistakes and get things wrong but the fact that that this guy is blaming the weather is an absolute joke. He sounds like a complete cowboy and I wouldnt let him any where near my place. Pictures would be good

good luck with it

Steve

[lutonlagerlout]

^^
5 dab method is a failure
water can get under the slabs,expand when frozen and move the slabs
as steve correctly says needs redoing
LLL

[Cornishgal]

Steve and LLL - thank you so much for your prompt replies. I am somewhat pleased to hear that my thinking about this is totally correct - a shoddy job had been done in the first place. But as I am totally reliant upon 'expert traders' - or who tell me they are due to their '20-years' in the trade, I naively part with my money because I trust people. More stupid me - I know.



I would love to upload pics, but my photo/techie skills match my paving-laying skills - bit of a 'zero' I am afraid. But I will give it a go later.

Please bear with me and pop back to see if I have managed it. I really don't want to be critical of a bona-fide workman/contractor, but nor do I want to be hoodwinked into parting with even more money, so really would appreciate your advice.

Thanks again chaps - just wished you guys were closer.

[mickg]

hello Cornishgal

this explains how you upload photos
upload photos

[Cornishgal]

Mick, thanks so much for that link.

What a great lot you are! xxx (Need a kissy-smiley here.) :;):

[Pablo]

You need to stop flirting with overweight hairy arsed builders that what you need to do. :;):

[rimexboy]

You need to stop flirting with overweight hairy arsed builders that what you need to do. :;):

im glad im not a builder with a hairey butt

[mickg]

You need to stop flirting with overweight hairy arsed builders that what you need to do. :;):

im glad im not a builder with a hairey butt

Ditto

[Cornishgal]

I think I am am bit past it for any butts - hairy or otherwise! Have spent the afternoon taking pics and trying to upload them to photobucket. Grr.....

Fingers crossed I managed it - well, one at least.

[Cornishgal]

And another:

[Cornishgal]

Finally -

[lutonlagerlout]

the falls dont look too bad but thats where the faint praise ends
joints way too wide
voids
crosses in the *pattern*
pointing material was either poorly mixed or poorly applied
you might get away with repointing it properly but i wouldnt want the original installer to do it
LLL

[ilovesettsonmondays]

if you do just repoint it . get your contractor to point it birdbeak style doesnt look too bad in big joints.

[dig dug dan]

oh dear oh dear! not only an epic fail, but four corners coming together? and some joints look much wider than others.
rip up and relay, and point with easipoint, but don't get the first clown back!