Patio Paving Slabs - light coloured mortar

[brianroberts]

The mortar between my patio slabs has cracked due to age. I would like to replace it with some light coloured mortar/cement. The mix I have tried uses builder's sand with the cement - but the colour is too orange for my liking (due to the orange sand). I wonder if I could use playpit sand which looks much lighter in colour to mix with the cement or would this somehow compromise the durability of the resultant mortar?
I would be grateful for any advice please - thanks.

 

[kingandy2nd]

Hello,

You might find it easier and cheaper to use cement dye like this

http://www.wickes.co.uk/cementone-no1-cement-colour-buff-1kg/invt/226504/

Various colours are available

 

[r896neo]

dont use playpit sand its too fine.

Cement dyes don't last on paving.

Try using white cement rather than Portland.

If all else fails you could use resin jointing like rompox D1 buts its very dear.

 

[brianroberts]

Thanks for the tip on white cement. Following the tip I also found snowcrete which looks like the same thing. Sorry to be ignorant on this but - do I need to add sand like I would with ordinary cement? If so could I still have a problem with the orange coloured builder's sand affecting the colour?

 

[r896neo]

Snowcrete is just a brand of white cement and will suit fine.

Yes its just cement so still need to add sand.

3 or 4:1 is good for pointing

As you have found the sand and cement both affect the final colour. You could try plastering sand or building sand from a different merchant/shop. They will all be different to one another.

Personally i use plastering sand when pointing slabs.

 

[brianroberts]

Many thanks r896neo - great advice. I'll check out the plaster sand.