Advice needed on pointing new patio needed Post your questions and get answers regarding all areas of drives, pathways and patios

[Chickenbrain2009]

Help! I am a 70 Yr old woman who lives alone. I have been having my patio refurbished. To cut a long story short it's been a difficult year. I got a guy in to relay my patio, but he had no idea what he was doing. Eventually he got a friend of his who is a professional builder in and the majority of slabs have now been laid. The upshot of this is that this has taken much much longer than expected and has proved very expensive in terms of time and money. I am living on a pension and this keeps dragging on. Anyway his builder friend left him to do the pointing but it was being done so slowly and badly I finally lost patience and sacked him.. Never to darken my doorstep again. This has left me with the problem, for now, of mortering the patio. The laying isn't complete but the main part is done. I have decided to get the rest done next Spring. Please can anyone advise me as to whether mortering is essential before winter and if so the easiest way to go about it. I have heard you can put sand down but I am not at all sure it would work for slabs. The advantage og that would be I could do it myself. Alternatively I could buy premixed morter. In both cases I have to do it myself as I really can't afford to get anyone in right now. Before anyone asks its a nigh on impossibility to get any builder in at the moment and they don't like small jobs. Advice in terms of easiest way forward gratefully received. Thanks

[stoneyboy]

Hi chickenbrain2009
Really sorry to hear that you've been had, sadly there's a lot of it going on especially with older people.
It's not really going to make any difference whether you point the slabs now or in the spring. If you decide to have a go yourself you will need a bag of sharp sand, a small bag of cement, a trowel (small enough for you to use), a bucket to mix in and a pointing tool (a round stick about 3/4" diameter will do). Mix your mortar dry 4 of sand to 1 of cement, add water until you get a mix that only just sticks together, then force this down into the gaps with the edge of the trowel until you cannot get any more in. Finish off with the round stick brush away excess into next gap over. Only attempt this in dry weather - good luck.
Regards S

[Chickenbrain2009]

Hi. Thank you so much for that. My next problem is getting the rest if my patio done next Spring. I have spent the last few days chiselling out the old mortar, very patiently. I have no idea what Er as to how to find someone decent. It's a nightmare. All the big firms only want big jobs. Your advice has been a great relief Thank you

[stoneyboy]

Hi chickenbrain2009
If you belong to any social groups ask around - personal recommendation is the best way forward..
Regards S