Newly laid patio - Mortar looks messy

[Johnsmith]

Hello All
I've recently re-landscaped my garden. Did much of it myself but paid for someone to lay a patio.

It's all done now, but the mortar either side of each patio stone is very messy and slap-dash and I've had enough of ringing the landscaper to come and fix it.

Basically, its spillage caused by the mortar (at least I assume it's mortar) when the stones were pointed-in.

Does anyone know of a way in which I can get this stuff off? Tried using a domestic compressor and water but that didnt do anything.

Maybe a special potion to get it off? Or a special type of brush?

Thnaks in advance,

Cheers, Joe.

 

[mikric]

If it is mortar staining ,try some brick cleaner available from builders merchants, wickes etc but make sure you dont get the weaker version of path and patio cleaner as it will be less effective, if you are not sure best to ask in a proper builders merchants, get some gloves and goggles while you are at it.

 

[noseall]

be careful with any mortar remover as it can leave a stain or even slightly etch the slabs.

try and remove as much of the surplus mortar as possible using a trowel or scraper and dilute the acid first. apply it directly to the stain with an old paintbrush.

have some clean water handy to sluice the acid away.

acid will encourage rusting to any ferrous objects. with a passion.

 

[Thermo]

what type of slabs are they. brick acid should not be used on certain types of natural paving at all. certain manufacturers also dont recomend it on there man made either. Best to check with the manufacturer first.

 

[i_am_fubar]

If a profesional landscaper did an unecceptable job (which it seems they did) and refuses to help rectify the situation, isn't there some sort of consumer group (such a which?) that you can contact to get the problem fixed at the expense of the original contractor?

I don't mean to stear away from DIY, but really, I'm fed up with people doing a poor job and letting people fix it them selves. Such attitude caused the morter in my house to require a full re-pointing.

Sam.