As title, patio layer started last week and has been hampered by the rain ever since. He's laid approx 2m2 of Indian sandstone but I'm not too sure on the mortar pointing that he's done. Does this look like it should or shall I ask him to smooth it with a jointer. Will it hold water if it's recessed into the slabs? I've seen people sponge down the joints after pointing which improves the appearance.
Also he's laying them on a full bed of mortar but is using building sand. Is this correct? Have seen differing views on this as some say that sharp sand creates a stronger bed but building sand points up better, I know both are used but are there any I'll effects that one causes that the other doesn't.
Thanks for the replies, I had just hoped that the pointing would have been a little neater but didn't know now if this was the norm. He's definitely using yellow building sand as there's 7 tonne of it sat on our driveway! Will this be a problem then?
It didn't take him long to lay the first few metres but then we had a downpour so he covered it in polythene and hasnt been able to lay any since. The base is 100mm mot type 1 well wacked down but it has had alot of rain on it over the last few days. Thanks
Is it my iffy eyes or is that Bird's Beak pointing?
Any pointing which rises above the surface level of the paving is a bad idea. It traps water onto the flag surface, impeding drainage, and it abrades, resulting in tatty looking joints.
Bird's Beak or Ribbon pointing are fine (some say) for vertical masonry, but should never be used with horiziontal paving.
Thanks for the reply again Tony, I think some of the joints are slightly raised but the majority are flush with the riven on top of the slabs. Should it be visibly dipped similarly to a small through? And should he be wiping the joints with a sponge after? Thanks
