DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

just about to point up appx 36sqm of crazy paving and wondered if someone could advise the best choice of sand to use in a dry mix?

previously i've used soft sand and cement in a 5:1 ratio and had problems, mainly weather related. the sand was a little damp as was the ground from days of rain. as i was laying the wind was blowing and dried the mix too quickly turning it back into powder so i had to damp again! swiftly followed by rain again which pock-marked the surface and as if things weren't bad enough a frost killed it. i had to dig out and do again.

so i'm wondering if a bone dry mix using kiln dried sand and brushed into the joints would be better then dampen gently with a spray of water afterwards would be a better way to go? i tried brushing in previously but with a damp mix it was no good as i had to go round compacting afterwards - then it never set satisfactorily!

what's the best method? i don't really want to do a wet mix and trowel it in owing to time constraints.

cheers fellas.

I use sharp sand 4 to 1 lightly damp mix and brush into the joints then use a finger trowel to iron the joints.Really pack it in and make sure the sand/cement is well mixed.

thanks welsh brickie i shall try that.

my thinking is that a bone dry mix with kiln dried sand would brush in very nicely and not need compacting - is this a little naive? ground work is not really my forte to be honest.

I have used kiln dry sand in the past,the problem is when you wet it it blows out staining the slabs and leaves holes in the pointing as it disappears in some areas