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Patio Repair

kevh1980kevh1980 Posts: 12
in Garden design
Hi

can anyone recommend something that I could use to fill the gaps between the patio and the border brickwork is it just standard cement or can you buy specific patio cement ?

I know that the ideal fix is to reset the border with a more secure foundation but that’s going to be quite costly so I’m looking to fill for a couple of years


Posts

  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
    I'd use 3 parts sand to 1 part cement 'normal' bricklaying mortar.  Get the loose stuff out with a trowel or a pointy implement first, of course, then fill in the fillet.

    Any overspill can be wiped off with an old piece of sacking or some wadded newspaper before it's dried ..... also makes the fillet nice and smooth if your trowel-work isn't up to snuff.

    That'll last you for a few years.
    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
    Looking at the old mortar it looks like quite gritty builders’ sand and quite dark too, so to get a match you might want to visit a ‘proper’ builders’ merchant for advice.


    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited May 2023
    You can buy ready prepped mortar mix now too, which saves buying whole bags of cement and sand. It's very easy to work with, and you can brush it in as  a dry mix, then either dampen it or let the rain do that, which is easier to do than trying to fill in with a wet mix. It may be a slightly different colour, but it depends how fussed you are about it when it's temporary. DIY stores sell it- about a tenner a bag.
    Obviously take the old stuff out first as said.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • seacrowsseacrows Posts: 234
    The guy laying some stones and brickwork for us has used what he called a resin. Looks black and gritty, and is very solid. He's says it's much better for preventing weeds growing through and can be pressure washed without worrying about cracking the mortar.
  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
    @seacrows. Absolutely right about resin.  It's excellent stuff and is almost bomb proof.  
    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • kevh1980kevh1980 Posts: 12
    thanks thanks for all these fabulous comments !! I will definitely look into the resin and if it’s not too costly I’ll give that a try, as long as numpty like me can use it without making a total mess
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Good luck with it @kevh1980 :)
    That sounds like a great product @seacrows and @Winston_The_Gravity_Man
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    Hi @kevh1980, I too have the same issue and have been doing lots of searching online and watching you tube videos. I have been impressed by the look of a product called called Sika fastfix, but my issue is the colours I feel I need a light grey but they do a dark grey or charcoal. It is £30 pounds plus a box, so not sure how much you need to do, I only need to do a bit of pointing in between patio slabs where it has come out over time. Check out some of the you tube videos, there are also ones featuring the sand and cement method but these new types are already to go. Good Luck.  ;)  
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