Patio disaster! - Advice regarding frost damage

[Warmhearted]

We had a patio laid with cement paving slabs in Feb this year. Despite the builders attempting to cover the slabs to protect against frost damage the cement has obviously been affected - the mortar is coming out and the slabs are not fixed to the cement below. The builders are proving very evasive! If we have to relay ourselves (having paid them £3000 labour we can't afford to pay someone else)what is the simplest most effective thing to relay onto - we really don't want to take up the existing concrete! I have to say the men who did the job were employed previously by the builder who built our house extension to do the brickwork and did a great job which is why we got them to do the job! Thank you to anyone who has any helpful advice!

[lutonlagerlout]

oh dear
it would be handy if you could upload a photo
how to upload photos
sadly there is no quick fix
it sounds like the frost has got to the pointing
potentially you could rake out and repoint but if the slabs are loose ,
the whole lot needs to come up,
be cleaned,
the bedding layer removed
and then relaid and repointed
generally its not good news
a photo if you can
Regards LLL

[Warmhearted]

Thanks very much for that, I will try and attach a photo but I know what you're saying is probably right - we were just hoping that there might be some sort of adhesive that we might be able to use to avoid having to take up the existing concrete bed which looks untouched - the slabs are literally just laying on top and can be lifted clean off! The people who did the work were supposed to come today but never turned up - no surprise I'm afraid. Your advice was much appreciated, thank you.

[rimexboy]

As tony has said a picture would be great.

Also it may be an idea to write to the installer with your concerns giving them the opportunity to reply or rectify the work and send it to them signed for recorded delivery.

[Warmhearted]

I think that's a good idea - we keep asking them to phone us (we only communicate by text at the moment!) but they just text saying they will replace the mortar when they can, they're very busy, said they'd be here yesterday and never came. I have an address for them on the sand/skip etc delivery notes so writing is a good idea. We had a really good relationship with them so it's a shame it has come to this. I will get a photo on here later today. Thanks again for your help, much appreciated.

[seanandruby]

Does'nt matter how busy they are ( probably making a f*** up somewhere else ) you should be priority now for the sake of their 'good name' if nothing else

[Warmhearted]

They don't seem too worried about that! We even recommended them to my friend whose Dad is a semi-retired builder who came round to see our brickwork, thought it was good and then used them for the brickwork on their extension - they have to go back there to finish the gable ends at some point so we may be able to get round to see them then. We paid them cash in hand so I don't know where we stand legally if we took them to small claims - just hoping it doesn't come to that. I would never have believed I would get caught like this, I was far too trusting and should have got the contractor who built the extension to do it - just didn't have the money at that time and then these two rang to say they were available if we wanted it doing - we would have had some comeback with the original contractor who has a very reputable company and wouldn't have charged much more - you live and learn! We've seen a product called Granfix exterior cement adhesive which looks as if it might work - we could maybe lift up a couple of metres at a time and do it ourselves gradually - I don't know if anyone has any experience using this? Many thanks!

[haggistini]

If the slabs and levels are ok then I would rake out and repoint with flowpoint this is a job for someone who knows what they are doing or it can go very wrong very quickly!
Most brickys although good at plum and level can't always turn their had to paving or are just copying what they have seen on sites which unfortunately is crap. Post a pic and you will have some ammo for them to read.