The Brew Cabin

I`m qbout to lay around 15 SqM of Marshalls paving and have taken your advice re a full mortar bed etc. Just wondering how to deal with the pointing of them - you (Tony) suggested using a 4:1 mix for the buttering mortar and the same for the dry brushing to point. Is it advisable to water the paving with a watering can after brushing in the dry mortar? and should it be done immediately after the flags have been laid so as the moisture from the buttering mortar sets off the pointing mortar? or wait a few days until the mortar has set and then brush in and sprinkle?

I keep seeing conflicting advice in brochures etc so am asking you for clarity. thanks in advance.

Forget all about watering the paving - that's a guaranteed way to spread the mortar, whether it's dry, semi-dry or wet, all over the pavement!

If you're using the buttered joints with dry mix top-up, then simply rely on the dry mix drawing-up moisture from the buttering mortar. You'd be surprised at just how little water is required to initiate hydration of the cement content and so achieve a reasonably hard mortar pointed joint.

The real key to success is to use a pointing bar to ensure the joint is fully packed with the dry mix, and then leave it for 10 mins or so to draw up the moisture before striking the joint (polishing it, in effect, with the pointing bar).

Keep water well away from the paving, and the joints, for at least 24 hours. Use a soft brush to remove any surplus or spillages, and you should be fine. :)

Thanks Tony thats great.