The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Sun Jun 03, 2007 1:13 pm**

Hi! I have just finished laying a reclaimed yorkstone patio (20sqm) at the back of our terraced house. The bedding from the old concrete block one was sound and after cleaning it up/removing debris etc I added a load more sharp sand. It looks great and is now ready to point but I calculate the gradient (sloping towards the lawn and flower beds) to be c. 1:100 which is the same as the old one, but that had sand betwen the slabs and so water run off was not a problem.

I started researching for permeable mortars as I thought this might be the answer and came across Rompox - Easy. On the whole you guys seem to swear by it with one or two reservations expressed - crap in the joints etc - so I'm inclined to go with it if I can find a supplier near London. A bit of crap in the joints wouldn't bother me too much as this would make it look more established - I'm not after a permanent pristine appearance. The alternative would be a traditional sand/cement mortar and I'd have to take my chances with the run off, but this seems a bit risky whereas Rompox has the advantage of being quick and easy. Do you think this is the answer to my run off (walk off might be a better term) problem or am I fussing about nothing?

Thanks.

Posted: **Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:18 pm**

did you read any of the main site before posting here?
patios need to be laid on a sharp sand cement mixture,laid on sand alone they will fail sure as eggs is eggs
IMHO 1:100 is not enough fall for a riven flag
and yes romex will be better because it is permeable
bannister hall garden centre in preston supply it by mail order and it is a quick and courteous service,
LLL

Posted: **Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:57 pm**

Thanks a lot. Yes, sorry, there is a cement/sharp sand mixture. The website is very useful and I have learnt a lot from it. Good luck with your job tomorrow!

Cheers

RC

Posted: **Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:00 pm**

Good luck with your job tomorrow!

eh?
LLL ???

Posted: **Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:48 pm**

I laid my 40mÂ² of Bradstone "Old Town" at 1:60 as recommended here on a 1:10 mix and pointed with Rompox Easy.

The flags do have some fairly deep depressions which hold small amounts of water (all part of the character as far as I'm concerned). The joints with this sort of paving are a good size but I can't believe the way that water disappears into the Romex.

We've had some fair old rain since and I haven't been aware of any substantial quantity of run-off at the bottom of the fall, most of it seems to permeate through the joints. My experience suggests that if your drainage underneath is good, the Romex will cope.

Just one point as an amateur who faffs around a bit, I did mine on a warm day with a drying wind and struggled to get it all in before it started to go off.

Posted: **Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:16 pm**

Thanks Rich. That sounds encouraging as your set up seems similar to mine apart from the gradient.

I tracked down Mike Fitch of Romex UK today who was very helpful. In view of my gradient, he has suggested RompoxPatio as this is less likely to allow any retained water in the sub-base to erode the mortar. I'm probably going to go with that suggestion.

LLL- I got my wires crossed on the dates re your posting on the design! Just shows I shouldn't trust my memory. Hope it went well anyway.

Posted: **Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:28 pm**

aha
cheers anyway
all done
LLL :laugh:

The Brew Cabin

Romex again - Pointing/run off