How to do pointing or fill the gaps between paving slabs or patio DIY

[@panphoto]

Excellent video! I like the way you just get straight into it without fanfare, bullshit graphics or a beat-noise background! Best of all your advise is clear and simple. Thanks

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks David, I appreciate your comments.

[@roryocallaghan8395]

agreed. top video

[@attilabori4734]

Hell yeah, learning here more in 30seconds rather than watching useless intros nearly everytime.. Thank you Sir, you are one of the very few who DO the job rather than speaking nonsense...

[@germinahnkadimeng2430]

How do I measure

[@stevesmith9458]

You’ve given me the confidence to attack my patio thanks for lesson..👍

[@davidupton3186]

That's great. Thank you for the feedback 😊

[@missreddog]

This will be my spring project this year! Short and clearly explained. I was going to hire someone, but after your tutorial I think I can do it myself! No more ant bites and mud splashes💪

[@davidupton3186]

Excellent - glad to have inspired you 😊!

[@mattwainwright7179]

final ...a video of someone doing ot right !!! quick easy and no mess!! top job buddy

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks Matt, I found there were plenty of 'quick fix' videos, using expensive compounds, but very few using basic materials available to the average DIYer.

[@donalain69]

clear, informative, easy to understand and without wasting time talking about other things. This video is perfect.

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks Alain.

[@hondahornets47]

Thanks for posting this video David, it really helped me to make the right decision when pointing up my Indian sandstone patio. I'd bought some Sika fast fix resin but it was absolute rubbish so after watching your video I used a dry cement mix and the finish is excellent. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@johncallery814]

David: Great video. After struggling to do a neat and professional looking job I tried your method. I used a pre-mix mortar and instead of using 1 part water to 4 parts pre-mix mortar I went 1 part water to 5 parts pre-mix mortar and ended up with the consistency shown on your video. I cut a paint mixing stick in half to tamp the mortar tightly and then ran a 3/8 in. and 1/2 in. Brick Jointer along the joint to finish the seam. Thanks.

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks for the feedback John. Hope it went OK.

[@teksp0rt]

this is helpful. thx.

[@aa_aa_1]

Thank you, I normally spend ages cleaning edges of the slabs, good tip with dry mortar

[@JustTwoGuysIreland]

Thank you, did this today after watching this video. Super helpful 😊❤

[@hughgrant4778]

Great video, you got straight to the point (no pun intended). Thank you

[@r1273m]

Thanks for posting this even if it was a long time ago now. I have just spent the last few days pressure washing my patio and most of the pointing has come out along with the weeds. In fairness it's years since I cleaned the pavers. I have been putting off doing the job as I don't want mortar stains on the pavers so I will give this method a go. Cheers!

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks for your feedback 😊

[@savio1980]

Simple and wasy way to do it. I like the idea of the fairly dry mix to avoid staining the the brick,Nice one mate.

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@go1tigers]

@@davidupton3186 can you tell me again what you are using? Thank you

[@cartyharley]

Clear simple video - Thanks David

[@speakertreatz]

thanks very much for uploading

[@davidupton3186]

@@speakertreatz - my pleasure 😊

[@S.M-w1e]

Just what i was looking for.amazing. to the point

[@macinead7]

Great video David. I always make the mix wet and do get staining. Will try the dry mix.

[@Reitz86]

Very nice, thank you for the copper pipe idea 👍

[@davidupton3186]

My pleasure 🙂

[@redprince1000]

Thanks David - I am going to be effecting a few repairs to some pavers shortly - thanks for the "dry cement" tip.Much appreciated and nice job there:-)

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@rikvermar7583]

exactly what i'm looking for, a simple, cheap diy method - if i wanted to use expensive products/methods then i might as well pay someone to do the job too - thats not me..... many thanks

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks Rich, glad it helped ☺️

[@jaredoconnor3603]

Looks great! I would spray the joints first so it starts taking in water, it will help it bond with the mortar

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks 🙂. Each to their own. I found it worked perfectly-well as shown.

[@barnybug]

Thanks for making this video - really easy to follow and the results look great!

[@davidupton3186]

barnybug thanks for your kind comments. Glad to help :)

[@Clarkkentuk6]

Thank you, you make it look so easy

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks for your feedback Clark.

[@justinegibson7526]

Worked a treat. Thank you

[@davidupton3186]

Great! Thanks for letting me know 😊

[@Jimmytwogunz]

This is one of my last DIY jobs that I need to do for the misses and I just need to point it! I'll use a 3 to one with a bit of plasticiser added to the mix ! Great video! Not posting one up of my patio hahahahaha

[@davidupton3186]

Ha ha - good luck Jimmy and thanks for the feedback :)

[@lynnescott3072]

Thank you, easy peasy....when you know how. Hope mine turns out so well x

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks Lynne. Good luck with it. Don't let it dry too quickly in the sunshine. It's moisture that makes the cement cure.

[@Cr3sc3nt1]

@@davidupton3186 so to 'cure' the cement, can you finely spray over the cement lines as a finishing touch and to add moisture?

[@malcomgreen4912]

Thanks quick easy instructions as required.

[@MAUKLON]

Thank you so much for this video , it really works.

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks Mohammed

[@Ahmad-rc6vu]

Great idea! But how does it deal with rainwater? Does it flow through the mortar or gather on top?

[@davidupton3186]

@@Ahmad-rc6vu - same as any mortar, I guess.

[@amardeepgrewal6841]

Great video - neatest way I’ve seen

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@muhammadarfan3692]

Wow so simple so good; well done;

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks :)

[@Tazul21]

Great video... Nice and simple

[@arthurconrod9825]

Glad i found this video.thankyou.

[@davidupton3186]

No problem, thanks for your feedback.

[@Triggerman2505]

I am not sure this method can be used up in Canada. We have freeze and thaw cycles that would most likely either crack the mortar between the joints or separate them from the paving slabs. Great Video!

[@martinkevill8853]

A tip we have in England is put a bit of washing up liquid in the mix to prevent cracking in cold weather

[@mrsthatcher9815]

@@martinkevill8853 how much

[@martinkevill8853]

Not quite sure to be honest but when I've seen people do it, it's normally just a couple of quick squirts. I've never seen anyone measure it out. Hope this helps.

[@passingan1555]

Hiya, I've also just pressure washed some garden slabs and the pointing has come out but was already broken and in need of repairing. Since the weather is very temperamental can you help me understand the best type of weather to do this? A dry day but is it okay that it might rain after its done or in between? Is there any type of weather I shouldn't do this in both when in pointing and after im waiting for it to set?

[@nisarmahmood9113]

Thank you mate straight to the point

[@essexmagpie3074]

Hi, looking to do this. When I purchase what I need, is it builders sand and ready mix cement? And does this method still work if it's a larger gap between the slabs? Thanks for such a no nonsense video.

[@whatyousaidbud]

Soft sand ( often called building sand) and just a bag of OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) nothing that says anything like 'no need to add air retainer/mortar plasticiser' because that's likely to go quite wet with very little water.

[@moal-ani6697]

great video David .. thank you .. cleaned the patio joints and is ready for pointing hopefully tomorrow weather permitting. Just one question please, once repointed the flags, do you spray it with any water at all?? otherwise wont the new mortar crack?? thanks in advance .. once again great video

[@davidupton3186]

+Ali Kathum Thanks for your comments Ali. I found that the small amount of moisture in the damp mortar was enough to make it harden. If you water it, you might wash the cement out of it and end up with just sand in between the slabs.

[@Soozfleet]

Hi, Can I do this over existing slabs? I've just moved into rented home & patio slabs are solid but in between is cracked, broken, missing or very uneven. I can't afford a new patio as I don't own the house but would like it to look tidy & stops the weeds growing through the slabs! Thanks so much for any advice.

[@davidupton3186]

Hi, yes, although I'd try to remove as much of the old pointing as possible before re-filling the gaps. Good luck! 🙂

[@Wayne-pb5zx]

What type of sand is best to use please?

[@davidupton3186]

@@Wayne-pb5zx - Building or builder's sand.

[@Wayne-pb5zx]

@@davidupton3186 👍

[@timb8157]

well explained and now I see what I have been doing wrong!

[@Walesfpl]

My stones are very wobbly. Would lifting and putting some underneath be better also? Thanks

[@23950522]

I find wide paper masking tape is very useful use a normal mix then a finger trowel on a straight forward square slab ,bit tedious on random design..

[@davidupton3186]

Sounds a bit tedious and tape-hungry to me, but if it works for you...

[@23950522]

@@davidupton3186 tape is cheap never found brushed in joints to look nice more like a crumble mix lol what ever floats your boat .

[@SirBenJamin_]

I noticed that your mix has a very sandy brown colour to it? the pointing on my patio is grey? does it dry grey? or keep that brown colour?

[@davidupton3186]

wforl The colour of the sand will affect what colour it dries. Mine dried to a light beige colour. For a perfect match, you might have to shop around for the right colour sand. Good luck :)

[@SirBenJamin_]

David Upton thanks

[@bellabriggs1393]

Do you mix just mortar , building sand and cement , no water ?

[@davidupton3186]

I add just enough water to create a damp mix, but not wet enough to stain the slabs.

[@tuanvo1538]

4 parts of cement and 1 part of sand ?

[@waqasmahroof600]

Thanks much appreciated.

[@xTaffyTaffyx]

Thanks for upload pal.

[@simonbuenosaires]

Ive seen alot of methods of filling.tje cracks.apmw faster and some slower. I prefer your method as it seems the filler sand/cement is being pushed further in between the slabs and it looks good.

[@davidupton3186]

Simon Gunns Thanks for your comments Simon.

[@jlgdrg]

Does the cement need to be watered down after to set it? seems too dry to harden without a follow up wetting. I will be doing a LOT of this on a patio project on about 600 blocks and need to know. Great video and I will be using the dry mix tip. It is the staining I was worried about with wet mortar. Exactly what type of cement and sand would be best for a climate like Maine to fill between 2.25 inch thick concrete pavers?

[@davidupton3186]

Hi, sorry for the slow reply. If the mortar mix is damp enough to stick together, then there should be enough water to make it harden. Keep it moist for as long as possible, by keeping the sun off it and covering with polythene sheeting. The longer it stays moist for, the better it will harden. I used builders sand, the type used for bricklaying and ordinary cement at a ration of 4 parts sand to one part cement. Mix it dry first, then add water very slowly until it just sticks together when squeezed in your hand. Good luck!

[@jlgdrg]

Thanks!

[@phild5242]

Thanks - very helpful.

[@jamesmorgan85]

I messed up and mines all crumbly, should’ve watched this first. Is this sand different than the coarse sand used to cement under the flags? Cheers

[@davidupton3186]

Hi James, yes I use 'sharp sand' for the bed under the slabs, and finer 'builder's sand' ( or brick-laying sand) for pointing.

[@jamesmorgan85]

@@davidupton3186 thanks mate. I’ll have to scrape it all out and redo it but at least it’ll be done properly. With it being riven paving that I have where the gaps are quite large, do all the same methods and mixtures apply? Cheers

[@bellabriggs1393]

So do I just buy a bag of mortar and put some water ? I am not getting the same consistency 😫

[@davidupton3186]

I use builders' sand, mixed with cement and a small amount of water, added very slowly. I haven't tried ready-mixed mortar, but it should work in a similar way.

[@memeagain4106]

thanks for the video.. but how do i repoint my crazy paving? the joints are not straight?.. thanks

[@davidupton3186]

Hi Viney, I've never done crazy paving. I suppose you could use a similar method, but maybe a shorter packing tool (like my piece of UPVC) ?

[@memeagain4106]

David Upton​... thanks.. i been trying to re-point it, but the lines dont come out straight and neat as paving slabs... thanks once again

[@Gosia-MG]

But then do you pour water over it?

[@davidupton3186]

No, the moisture in the mortar makes it harden.

[@andyliv78]

Great video. Curious how the joints are holding up? Hopefully attempting something similar but with varied joint widths. Thanks.

[@davidupton3186]

All good, fingers crossed. Good luck!

[@KingAlpaca]

And on top of that you put grout?

[@davidupton3186]

No, that's it.

[@adamjaques4243]

Very well explained thanks

[@davidupton3186]

Thanks for your feedback Adam.

[@waheedmalik4096]

Not clear but did you mix water or just sand/cement mix?

[@davidupton3186]

Mix sand and cement first, then add just enough water to make it damp.

[@waheedmalik4096]

@@davidupton3186 thank you. I hosed the slabs and then put a dry mix in. I tried that on a small area and will see how that holds up.

[@glenncornell]

Will it dry hard enough to be able to jet wash after without the mortar coming out?

[@davidupton3186]

Hi, Glenn, it should be okay, just like any standard mortar. I'd make a strong mix with a decent ratio of cement to sand, say 1:4, but maybe Google it, as I'm no expert regarding jet washing.

[@paochuwong9229]

May I ask: after applying dry mix to gap, do I need to seal ? Is it porous ?

[@davidupton3186]

I think mortar is porous. Not sure why you'd want to seal it, but it won't wash away once set.

[@bjornsenmats]

Question: what is the best way to remove the old crumbled motor? A few videos suggested using a angle grinder, others a pressure washer. What would you suggest? Thanks

[@davidupton3186]

+bjornsenmats - I've never had to remove old mortar, so I'm not really qualified to answer that, but If I had to do it, I would probably try an angle grinder.

[@scottishjimmy9813]

Is this a pre mix mortar or did you actually mix one part cement into it? How much water did you use to dampen the mortar?

[@davidupton3186]

Hi Jimmy, if you listen again to the video, it answers all your questions.

[@manjuaggarwal5037]

David Upton morning

[@odgeUK]

How can I achieve a grey finish rather than buff / sand colour.

[@davidupton3186]

That's not my area of expertise, but I would guess you'd use a different colour of sand.

[@odgeUK]

@@davidupton3186 Thanks. Yes, with a bit more research it appears that a Grey Builders sand is widely available, as well as an expensive 'Silver Sand'. White cement can also increase the lightness, but again is expensive. Thanks.

[@paulie2140]

Great easy to follow video David, thank you for this. Quick question, I'm wanting to lay slabs for garden furniture and a shed. I don't want to lay a concrete base if I don't have to, would rather lay slabs onto gravel / aggregate and then just fill in the gaps as per your video. Would this be a suitable and reliable method? Thanks again. Paul

[@davidupton3186]

Hi, I wouldn't lay slabs on gravel because it moves about. I would recommend compacted type 1 and a rough bed of mortar made with sharp sand.

[@paulie2140]

@@davidupton3186 okay thanks that's great, thanks for your speedy response

[@soundsforsleeping1]

Now I have to go find copper pipe and 5mm plastic strip 😂😂 help!

[@davidupton3186]

Plumbers throw away bendy offcuts all the time. Keep an eye on skips, like I do! 😄

[@Viralclown]

Dry mix sweeped in no good? Pushed down with tool then mist sprayed?

[@davidupton3186]

I used to do it like that, but I find this method gets it packed in better and is properly damp whilst it cures.

[@Viralclown]

David Upton just worried staining the blue concrete porous pavers

[@davidupton3186]

BLUE concrete!? I'm not really qualified in that area I'm afraid. I find that my dryish mix works well in not staining 'normal' slabs. Maybe test a small area first?

[@revDLK]

how long does it take to harden? i done this a few hours ago and it hasnt hardened yet. thanks

[@davidupton3186]

It should start to harden in a few hours. You need the right sand/cement/moisture ratio and keep it moist until set.

[@andymeaden940]

+David Upton Hi Dave, how much water did you use to the 4:1 mix you made?

[@davidupton3186]

+Andy Meaden Hi Andy, I never measure the exact amount of water. I just add a little water at a time, until the consistency is right. Just damp enough to stick together, but not so wet that it marks the slabs.

[@andymeaden940]

+David Upton Thanks Dave....and I assume it's just normal cement you used such as Blue Circle?

[@davidupton3186]

+Andy Meaden Yes, nothing special. I think I used Blue Circle in the waterproof yellow plastic bags.

[@ljsdelights8037]

How long does this take to cure please?

[@davidupton3186]

Hi Banshee, I think mortar usually takes about a day to cure. Treat it gently for a couple of days.

[@ljsdelights8037]

@@davidupton3186 thank you

[@jameshall2195]

Or you can use a tuck pointer/finger trowel.

[@PompeyMatt17]

I used fingers, they got shredded from the chemicals in the cement, fingers were stinging for days afterwards..

[@Daz86]

Hi there? Just had my Newley laid patio pointed, is it normal for the pointing to be crumbly between the fingers once dry? I would have thought the mix should go solid? There was a bit of excess to one side and I was surprised how crumbled it was?

[@davidupton3186]

+Darren Faulkner Hi Darren, to avoid crumbly mortar, I would recommend the following: Make sure you use a strong mix, ie. 4 parts sand to at least one part cement. Add enough water to moisten the mortar, without making it messy. Don't let the mortar dry too quickly - it's the presence of water that makes it harden.

[@stevenbell2968]

how much water should you mix with it?

[@davidupton3186]

I'm not exactly sure. Add a little at a time until it just starts to stick together.

[@SimonPi]

Hi David, what's the average drying time for this?

[@davidupton3186]

Hi, The important thing to remember is that mortar shouldn't DRY, it cures, so you should keep it damp for as long as possible. If it dries too quickly, it will not cure properly. A day or two is usual.

[@lewisjay7495]

Or just get trowel and pointing trowel fill in a section then go over worh pointer

[@davidupton3186]

My point is that a trowel only has a thin edge, which is not ideal for packing the mortar down into the gap.

[@lynwatsn4108]

Is there a particular sand you use to point them.

[@davidupton3186]

Building sand, as used for laying bricks.

[@iraqi6207]

Deserve the Like

[@richardturner6981]

What would happen if you filled in the gaps between bricks or concrete blocks with asphalt or ( bitumin ) like people did back in biblical times?

[@davidupton3186]

No idea.

[@yap2yapaway]

Once its down and well packed in do you need to spray water on it to get it to set?

[@davidupton3186]

Bernadine Felle , no, the moisture in the mortar should be enough. Just cover it with polythene sheet to keep it moist for as long as possible.

[@donnawipper8335]

Love the video I will try this as professionals want too much money. Can I hose down the pavers afterwrds or do I need to wait for a certain time period?

[@davidupton3186]

I'd leave it a week before hosing down. Thanks for your feedback.

[@datswhatidrew]

Hi I am just curious how big your gaps between the pavers are and what did you use to create the gaps?

[@davidupton3186]

Hi, my gaps are about 1cm (0.4 inches). I think I did them by eye, but you could use a scrap of wood cut to the right width, I guess.

[@kim_yong_un]

You can prevent weeds between the tiles with this right?

[@davidupton3186]

Hi, I laid a weed-proof membrane under the hardcore base.

[@comedygold6933]

crap and are you still there doing it ,if you buy the right tools you could make a video how to point in properly

[@davidupton3186]

Sorry you feel that way. I'm not claiming it's the only method, but it works for me.

[@vc2616]

@@davidupton3186 great reply !

[@keithbateman5302]

Moron