The Brew Cabin

Not Really a block paving question, but I have laid a large driveway without any problems previously using your site. My problem is this, how do I make hard strong weather resistant mortar, I want to fill some joints between riven flags and my previous attempts havn't really been very successful, I have tried altering the mix but it still doesn't seem hard enough I have also included waterproofer. I once had to knock down a wall at the back of my house and the mortar was harder than the bricks yet it wasn't grey like mine is when i try to make it harder, what am I doing wrong?

If you use fresh cement, in a 4:1 mix, with a plasticiser, and use it up within 90 minutes of mixing, then you really shouldn't have any problems.

Which of the above are you missing?

none of those, tried 4:1 5:1 and plasticiser, havn't tried lime, is this the problem ?

Nope - lime won't improve it. Try using a proven strengthening additive such as Simeon's Ronafix, but, to be honest, if you follow the guidelines I gave earlier, then you shouldn't have a problem.

Are you sure you're using fresh cement and not stuff from a bag you've had in the back of the shed since last summer?

Yes, Ronafix is what you can use.

Buy some from Adawall, Support Site, Travis Perkins or call our sales office on 01279 638 700.

Mix Ronafix 1:1 wath water and it to your 1:4 cement:sand (sharp is stronger but not as easy to trowel smooth) and lay it as normal.

But take care not to stain the bricks as it will stick - that's what it is designed to do.

And when cured it will also be waterproof and frostproof.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply, will try some of that ronafix stuff, there is a Travis Perkins nearby.

any problems call our Technical Department 01279 638 700.

Regards
Sim