The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:21 pm**

We had a granite patio just finished this morning. There are a few things that I thought would be 'better', can anyone lend some opinions?

1. There are faint (and not so faint) brown stains all over the slabs, nearly every slab. Scrubbing with cold water doesn't work, only scrubbing hot soapy water works so far. This seems like a long job, and not something I'd expect most customers to do to have a non-stained patio from new?!

2. This is a big deal, the slabs seem to dry at completely different rates. It hasn't rained in 6-7 hours and some slabs are bone dry (appear light), some are still very wet looking (appear dark), even ones right next to eachother, quite different looking. Do I really have to wait for 24 hours of dryness to see evenly coloured slabs?! Are some slabs upside down? (I heard it effects performance if the smooth side is up and rough side down on granite)

On top of this I said we wanted the (Brett) granite as close as possible (1-2mm?) I had pics and he said it would be fine. But some joints are up to 9mm (average 6-9mm). Also they said the pointing would be 'light grey' it's very much dark grey (I think they used geofix).

Should I be upset? I haven't paid yet. Are these things normal?

Posted: **Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:27 pm**

2 examples below, 1st is the most recent (hasn't rained in 6 hours,was pointed about 7 hours ago, look at the difference in the 2 slabs in the top left hand corner. 2nd was taken yesterday when it was a bit drier (before pointing)

Posted: **Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:34 pm**

Can't comment on the drying bit it don't look too bad.
You need a minimum joint width of 5mm for geofix so no issues there as it won't work/last any smaller
You'd need to show close up pics of the stains you talk about

Posted: **Sun Apr 24, 2016 8:44 pm**

Brown stains

Close-up of different drying rates (in the middle, right hand side is very dark/wet still, left one is bone dry :-/)

Posted: **Mon Apr 25, 2016 10:29 am**

anyone? I'm meant to be paying today and then I guess I can't really say anything

Posted: **Mon Apr 25, 2016 7:53 pm**

I can't tell from the picture weather the slabs have been laid upside down or not.
The stains could be from mortar splashes that have been wiped off. If so they will weather out.
The stain could also be moisture being sucked up from the bedding mortar.
The joint widths could be to do with the tolerances in the flag sizes.
I'very you usually have a +or-5mm tolerance so to but joint them would be near on impossible.
From what I can tell from the pictures they have done a good job.
Levels and lines are good.
I've seen a damn site worse.

Posted: **Wed Apr 27, 2016 6:37 pm**

from where I sit it looks a fair-good job,
the brown marks may be rust marks from bands hold the flags together
no natural stone should have 1-2mm joints he told you right
installers have no real control over drying times of flags ,looks a good job ,but I wouldnt have picked granite
hope this helps
LLL

Posted: **Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:20 pm**

It looks fine to me:

-Joints of 1-2mm are not only impossible to achieve from a practical point of view (the slabs will be +/- 2mm in the dimensions), but you'll never get enough compound in the gap to form a strong bond

-The mositure issues will settle down, stone is a natural material and you have to allow some leeway for this. Same for the brown marks, they will weather out

-The stone comes from Brett who are a very reputable supplier, so no worries their

-The landscaper had made a very tidy job from what I can see

-Chill out

Steve

The Brew Cabin

New granite patio laid for us - should i be upset?