Patio cleaning question

[Matt38]

Hi,

I have powerhosed my brick patio to get rid of the weeds/moss growing between the bricks. There are now gaps in places, I understand I need to sweep in sand which will harden and fill the gaps.

My question is the bricks lie on sharp sand so should I sweep similar sand in or would silver sand be better as more will get in the cracks?

Thanks in advance,

Matt

 

[bathjobby]

Sharp, it wedges together and into the blocks unlike other (rounded and smooth) sands.

 

[Matt38]

Bump!

 

[bathjobby]

Added to my list of 'Don't bother to help next time'.

 

[Matt38]

Apologies bathjobby, I was quite rude. Understand what you are saying about sharp sand but are the granules (?) bigger than silver sand and hence harder to get them in the cracks? swept some in but they don't fall to the bottom and then holes reappear

Thanks

Matt

 

[WabbitPoo]

Why do you think sand will "harden"? To do so it would need cement mixed with it. Use a pointing mix as described all over this forum.

 

[jono_h]

Matt,

I'd use kiln dried sand - iy's quite fine and will run into the cracks. It is described on the B&Q website "for use as jointing sand for block paving".

But don't buy it from B&Q - that's the equivalent of treason on this forum!!

 

[Matt38]

Thanks, re the hardening point I thought the sand, once swept in, hardens with the weather i.e. rain?. What's up with B&Q? I speak here as a novice to these things!!

 

[WabbitPoo]

Thanks, re the hardening point I thought the sand, once swept in, hardens with the weather i.e. rain?. What's up with B&Q? I speak here as a novice to these things!!

Nothing wrong with B&Q. Especially for sand and other building materials. Pretty cheap in general for that sort of stuff. I use them all the time.

If the gaps are small (a few mm) you'll have to sweep in sand/cement. Use a fine, dry sand or it will not flow into the gaps. Keep sweeping until you cant get any more in.

if the gaps are bigger (10mm or so, as they should be for most paving) use a damp mix as described in this forum in many places.

 

[Grado]

You can buy block paving sand in Wickes. It's basically fine, kiln dried sand in 25kg bags. They also sell a patio grout which sweeps in and is self setting - this is the longer lasting but pricier option.

 

[Matt38]

Thanks everybody, going to do this this weekend. Does the patio grout stop weeds coming through or is that just wishful thinking?

 

[WabbitPoo]

Done properly with a sand/cement mix, yes it does. Only use kiln dried brushed in for block paving.

 

[DAguy]

If it is block paving, then kiln dried sand is the way to go. its fine dried sand that falls down the joints, make sure its a very dry day.
Then best to brush over a sealer, that will help with dirt and maybe weeds a bit, its best to avoid powerwashing concrete too much.

www.*************

 

[Tigger123]

Hi to everyone,

Been doing a bit of surfing to see what is happening to my block paved patio and this thread came up on google.

I have just had someone in to clean and re-sand my patio which now looks as good as new. However I think that they may have used the wrong sand. It is very fine and pale.

It feels very sandy underfoot and I am constantly having to sweep the sand away.

When it rains the sand seems to come up and gathers round the low spots. It's been down about 6 weeks now and it's really getting on my nerves. Also there are some gaps appearing so this can't be good.

The buildres that did it are friends of my husbands and they also layed a driveway for us at the same time and to be honest that feels abit sandy as well.

I want to try and get my facts right before I ask them to come back.

Does anyone agree that this isn't right or am I being impatient and it will settle down eventually.

Thanks in advance

Tigger xxx