Hello All, Would very much appreciate your collective experience on this problem I have. My 1930's house has concrete paving at the front and rear of the house. It needs repairing where I have dug drains etc. and I would like to match it as best I can.
I think the concrete is made from bideford sand, which is supplied locally. It has small particles of shell. If this sand is left in the rain, the small particles wash away and it has a similar texture to the paving. I was going to mix up some 4:1 cement using the bideford sand and mix in a quantity of black concrete dye to match the colour (I would try various quantities of the dye until it was a close match).
I have the driveways, paths and patios book which is excellent, it helped me lay the block paving in the first picture above. It mentions an admixture to use with concrete paving that brings the larger particles to the surface. Can anyone tell me what admixture I should use to get this effect.
hi Ted you'd be better off trying for an exposed aggregate finish which doesn't require an admixture for small areas. Level and tamp the screed as usual then rub it with a hose and a brush just before it sets. You'll need to crack the form sooner than you would normally so you can dress the face of it to. Now would be a good time to get rid of the concrete and pave it if you felt inclined.
chance of pulling this off ted are infinitesimal
dye will leach out within 2 years
you would have to get the exact same aggregate and mix then weather it for 80 years to achieve the same finish
as paul says less ballache ripping it out and doing it as new
sorry
LLL
