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Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 8:25 am
by Nik19
I have a very large patio with slabs. It wasnt laid properly originally. The gaps in between the slabs is very narrow, in some places they touch. But we still have problems with so many weeds constantly. The joints seem to narrow to use a sand/cement wet mix. Any dry mix just doesnt settle enough to do much either. I dont want to spend too much money or redo the whole patio. the gaps vary in size, but the largest would be about 3-4 mm. I've just power washed the patio and weeds are gone but always have loads of mud coming up. Any suggestions.
Thanks
Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 9:41 am
by Carberry
There are pointing products for gaps that narrow but they are very expensive and I'm not sure how reliable they will be if the patio is poorly laid in the first place.
vdw 805
If you aren't wanting to spend much money you're only option is to sweep the patio regularly and occasionally pull out weeds / spray them.
Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 11:28 am
by Nik19
Thanks for that. I might try a mix of kiln dried sand and cement and sweep it in as much as I can.
Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 11:53 am
by Mikey_C
you could try putting a long term weed killer down (use to be sodium chlorate now something like ground clear), then KDS. As stated before you may well be fighting a losing battle. I don't think KDS and Cement will work but fancy it give it a punt.
Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 5:06 pm
by lemoncurd1702
Nik, what type of paving is it?
I'm guessing it's a sawn edged product. Trouble with these is if it's random sizes when you butt two 300mm slabs next to a 600mm there is no joint. Butt jointed paving should maintain a gap of at least 3mm.
To get around this problem I run a disc cutter through the tight joints once the paving is set.
Regarding the jointing I have had success using Marshalls Weatherpoint, use lots of water to make sure the compound flows into the joint.
Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 8:27 am
by Nik19
HI, they're normal square slabs all the same size. The builder who laid it was inexperienced obviously. I was too at that time so I thought he knew what he was doing. I don't have a disc cutter I'm afraid. It would probably take for ever; my patio is 20ft x 12ft.
I would probably need a few tubs of those expensive compounds. The joints are so small that I don't think you could pour anything into it, you would need something dry. I may have to try the cheapest option of sand/cement mixture first. Thanks for all the advise. Better get off to B&Q!
Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 10:07 am
by lemoncurd1702
To be honest if the joints are that tight I would leave them fill naturally or just use kiln dried alone.
Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 10:22 am
by KLS
Post a pic or 2 it'll make identifying a solution easier.
If they are super tight then I second kds if not to tight, as it's not a huge patio look at one of the slurrys that would flow it.
Posted: Tue May 27, 2014 7:25 am
by Nik19
hi,
I didn't know how to upload a pic. It may be possible to use a slurry but only if it didnt stain. It would have to be something you can brush in. Do you know of such a thing? The gaps are about 1.5mm. I was going to use just KDS at first, but then read somewhere to mix in cement to make it stronger. Does KDS set hard? and will it stop weeds? Thanks in advance.
Posted: Tue May 27, 2014 6:01 pm
by Carberry
Nik19 wrote:hi,
I didn't know how to upload a pic. It may be possible to use a slurry but only if it didnt stain. It would have to be something you can brush in. Do you know of such a thing? The gaps are about 1.5mm. I was going to use just KDS at first, but then read somewhere to mix in cement to make it stronger. Does KDS set hard? and will it stop weeds? Thanks in advance.
Photo really would help, upload it to a photo hosting site like photobucket, flickr, even facebook then you link to the image from this site using the [img] tags.
KDS Doesn't 'set' like cement does, but it does compact and settle. It won't stop the weeds, it will provide a base for weeds to settle in though.
I wouldn't use KDS and cement. Joint stabiliser, ready mixed stuff though like
Resiblock
Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 6:06 am
by Nik19
I think I will have to use a ready mixed compound; I will try Resiblock
Thanks for that. Just waiting for a dry day!!:)