Sika pave fix fail

Sika pave fix is supposed to be an outstanding product but it is a massive fail and doesn't do what is stated on the box

[@christoon5483]

Sadly I have used this product myself on a cobbled drive and large patio, only to have it fail! Reps are useless and Have accepted no liability stating the sub base wasn't permeable enough...(whilst ignoring the large overhang of the slabs on the steps which are in mid air still with their product failing!!) has cost me Thousands to put right! Totally Crap product cannot warn enough people to steer clear of it and Sika's generally unhelpful Customer Service!! Extremely disappointing considering the stature of this company to have such a useless product!!…….If I wanted moist sand...… id go to the beach!!

[@petermartinaitis8166]

We had a large area of paving done and we had issues because the resin had not been fully compacted correctly and it rained before fully setting . This resulted in voids below the resin and I could push the resin down between the slabs. I removed the resin where required and did it myself. 1)Tools required, hand and sweeping brush both with very soft bristles and jointing trowel . 2) I made sure all the joints were clear and debris free. 3) I only wet and worked on small areas at time and did not soak the area, water prevents it from setting , that's how you store it. 4)You really have to compact the resin into the joints fully by hand, just brushing in is insufficient. There is a video on KZbin by a couple showing this. 5) Make sure you plan it when the weather is above 15 degrees and no rain for at least of couple of days otherwise it can take up to 5 days to set. It is a bit of a pain to start but once you get a method and rhythm going you obviously get faster, but it has set perfectly with no voids. You can't blame the tradesmen if they follow the instructions but the key is the compaction of the resin fully into all joints which will add a lot more time and cost.

[@petermartinaitis8166]

Just to update, I tried another area installing it completely dry and it set rock hard . It does leave some form of waterproof residue around the joints but it disappears after a few days which is on black limestone. One previous reviewer stated it needs to be fully soaked, water stops it from setting so it's dry installation every time for me and the key is full compaction.

[@hondahornets47]

Can't agree more mate, I bought the Sika Fastfix and it was absolute rubbish. I just went back to a dry mix of builders sand and cement with a bit of SBR.

[@Ratsotone]

I've just used this product for the first time on a 28 m2 Indian stone patio, I usually point the joints using a mortar mix of around 4:1 but thought I'd try this method as it is a lot quicker and cleaner, I only chose Sika because it stated on the tub that it will cover an area of 21 m2, where as other brands were stating between 7 and 10 m2, which I now realise to be more accurate, but I do know that this is just an average so I bought two tubs, but once I started the process, I ended up going back to the merchants to buy another one to finish the job. That was on the Friday, I called back the following Monday to see how it was, and the first thing I did was to press my thumbnail into one of the joints, it wasn't as hard as I would have liked, but it was setting, and taking into consideration that we'd had rain and the temperatures we'd had over the weekend were very low for July, between 10 - 13 degrees Celsius. So taking this into consideration I realise the hardening process will take longer. I'm hoping after a few more days this stuff will have hardened completely, fingers crossed. But if I had seen this video sooner I think I would have kicked the Sika product into touch and gone with another brand, but having said that I think I'll probably just end up going back to using a good old fashioned mortar mix where we're guaranteed 100% that it will set hard and look good.

[@JackSmith-kp2vs]

Use easy joint

[@PIFDUDE]

Did it eventually set?

[@Ratsotone]

@@PIFDUDE yeah it did, despite the heavy rain and low temperatures we had, but with the Sica product, you only need to lightly wet the area first, and not drench it, unlike the other products available where they say the wetter the better. But overall I'd say Sica is pretty decent stuff

[@crit71]

It's not hard to read the instructions. Thoroughly wet the patio. Brush off pooling and wait 10 minutes. Pour product into joints and brush in. Using a pointing tool, compress the product into the joints. Refill joints and compact again to a smooth finish. Brush off excess product from patio and leave to set. I've just done this and it's set rock hard. Anyone thinking you can just simply brush a resin based product into joints and expect it to set hard hasn't got much of an idea to be honest.

[@lifeshort]

I've just used the product on my own patio. No problems, it's gone rock hard in 48hrs.The instructions just say 'dampen the slabs'. This is bollocks and you actually have to soak, and keep soaking, everything. The product has to be absolutely sodden to be workable, and it won't iron off if it's dry. Push all joints in hard, iron it in, wait for the moisture to sink a little, then brush it off. It's a bit of a ball ache timing-wise, but not difficult

[@JackSmith-kp2vs]

It’s dog shite

[@lifeshort]

@@JackSmith-kp2vs You're not wrong. it all crumbled out a few months later.

[@JackSmith-kp2vs]

Use easyjoint

[@tdbricklayingandbuilding]

Always use and recommend this product. If used correctly it is very quick and easy to use. Instructions say it can be used in the wet but it is best if the slabs are dry and you compact it thoroughly into joints. Under no circumstances wash it into joints or hose the slabs as this will wash the resin away! Starts to go rubbery after 24 hours and will be rock hard in 3 days. Anyone experiencing problems will be using the product incorrectly.

[@Ratsotone]

If you say only use it on dry slabs, then why does Sika state that it can be used even in the rain??

[@Tommyfatto]

The instructions on the product now say to make sure it's used on wet slabs and that all the joints are wet before filling with the mix.

[@PeterStrachanMusic]

I know a few people who have had their patios done with sika.. Brilliant jobs..

[@cliveperrett730]

If you can’t even lay the patio correctly in the first place, it’s no wonder you couldn’t grout it properly either

[@narrativequestion]

point not grout.... amateur

[@baracmola9507]

Never seen so many cross joints on one single patio. No wonder you can't point it right.

[@markwicks7675]

Thanks for the info guys I was going to use sika on a small job. But will try some other product

[@dhillmano]

We have had exactly the same problem, hubby in process of removing it as we speak! We followed the instructions completely...what a waste of time and money! I don't know what to use as an alternative, really annoyed. I noticed that someone commented that you needed to soak the slabs repeatedly, but that's not what it says on the product's instructions...do not buy!

[@JackSmith-kp2vs]

Easy joint or joint in

[@JosephByrne]

I had mine done with Easyjoint. Every time it rained it deposited black powder all over the tiles. After six months it still hadn't set. Had to have it ripped out and replaced with cement.

[@rab940]

I use silica paving almost every week quick clean and I have never had a problem .did you wash it in ?

[@papaeph6134]

A builder used this a few months ago on my patio and the same thing's happened! Maybe it wasn't applied correctly? I don't know, but one thing's for sure, I'd be very sceptical using this product again.

[@christophermason7735]

I wish I had seen this video before o paid out nearly £40 for a large tub of this rubbish. I used it because cement was out of stock. 24 hours later it’s not started to do anything. It’s still just sand. I’ve been out and found a supply of cement this morning and builders sand and will be completing what’s left of the job with dry mix. I’m expecting a disaster next time I jet wash my patio.

[@shaunallen6676]

I have experienced different results over years used I have had good results with geo fix but have to compact product then top up, compact again, and keep repeating till satisfied with finish using hand brush to sweep away excess, basically on hand and knees whole time, I have have big firms complain using too much product so fill in with sand cement then top up with geo, some fail some don't, I did my bosses garden which had old slabs 2 wide to a step down to patio the patio was sound but then after 6 months decided to remove path and slab area outside house leading to patio previously done a year later had a barbecue patio sound and newer work where path was pointing totally shot even though I did both and used same method only difference between them was different product used older paving with geo fix 😀 newer paving without geo failed bought from B and q 25pound a tub came in same style and colour container as sika not sure if it was couldn't get geo anywhere then only buff no grey then next store every pot tub was out of date and gone off in tub, ended up miles away to get expensive product which failed, what happened to old ways sand cement with granular dust , there is a reason why things where done that way, if i hit a new paving slab too hard with rubber maul when installing new path it breaks, but when i hit the old 3x2 slabs with a sledge hammer when ripping them up takes a good few smacks and probably have a the old sand cement it laid on stuck to underneath to, didn't need any bonding agent paint on back of slab in them days , kerbs are the same demo not as strong as before so easy to chip a kerb when laying them, no wonder there so much remedial work these days I did a job recently where I went to a site where all the houses where occupied and was there to fix any damages before paths and road where topped, I had to relay every single kerb on job, someone should have a word with Marshall and etons, anyway sika has some of the great products additives for mortar mix, great for manholes with water egress. It's like sainsbury have some good products but would you eat the cornflakes? Can't beat kellogs in my book, same with geo fix but if using all weather geo you have to use it slightly different paving needs to be damp

[@adamward6510]

Who laid that patio

[@MrBriangardiner]

you should never have four corners together

[@cunnie84]

Does that effect the sika pavefix from going off and not working . . . . no it doesnt and ur opinion about how u think stone or slabs should be laid has no relevance to the fact that the product was garbage. And as stated before we worked off a guide the customer and suppliers had worked out between them of how it was to be laid so if laying them as the customer wanted is wrong then i am sorry to you the paving god of the world.

[@Northern_Rockhopper]

Bullshit. What about path edges!? Corner on each edge.

[@AccurateProperty]

Thanks, that's just saved me some time and money.

[@ilovemyvfr]

Just realised we have the same problem with ours, followed the instructions to the letter but it has not set at all. Will have to scrape it all out and replace with something else.

[@richarddavies6375]

I’ve used this stuff many times and you can’t just brush it in and strike the top, it needs to be compacted fully into the joint until it won’t compact any more, I don’t even use a brush I compact it in with my gloved fingers but this method takes time on hands and knees but it sets rock hard like a resin. I now use easy joint as the method of using a this product is to use a water hose to hose and brush it into the joints , the water compacts the stuff into the joint for you so is quicker and easier and done standing up which is a blessing when you do a patio a week so easy joint is what I always use now. Sika is a top brand with top products but it’s the same with any product of any brand it must installed correctly for it to achieve its performance.

[@Ratsotone]

The water alone will not compact the product into the joints effectively enough, no matter what brand you use, you'll always need to make a second or even a third pass over the joints with a jointing iron to achieve good solid joints that won't fail after a few of years

[@cunnie84]

yeah it was brush in but it was either a really bad batch ( we used 5 different boxes over 2weeks) or the stuff is just terrible we had to pull it out and have resipave in at out expense because sika didn't want nothing to do with it

[@lifeshort]

Hi Adam,Cheers for making this video. I'm about to use the same product on my own small patio... You said the rep came out and reckoned the product was ok? Did he take a sample away and test it? Also if he said the gear was ok, he must've claimed some kind of fault on your part...? Thanks again fella

[@richwallwin]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this problem?

[@cunnie84]

Richard Wallwin just a bad batch according to the rep. Cost us a few days getting it back out and the cost of the resipave none of which sika wanted anything to do with

[@richwallwin]

adam cunliffe bad form by them, the amount of products they sell they should of replaced the tubs knowing they were defective.

[@fengo1]

hi mate were thinking of using this I'm glad I reviewed it first how was the pave fix and is it brush in thanks

[@foxhole777]

Have had mine in a year now, slumps badly, washes out and brushes out very easily.Terrible product.

[@captsquirrel7844]

Either it was a bad batch or you didn't use it properly.... I've never had any problems and it always results in a nice clean job. Looks to me that it's far too wet, even when first applied it doesn't look as sloshy as the stuff you were pulling out.

[@shaunallen6676]

How would. You know you had bad batch ihave had tubs with lumps in but instructions say to break small lumps up as this can be normal, I also have had whole sealed bag rock solid, couldn't use it, but who picks up cost the manufacturer will just say u not used it properly. So they don't have to pick up bill it's not fair on customer either cuz they paid you already but not fair on you. Either but would have to redo and pick up bill for it just to keep customer happy, customer would think u cowboy certainly in took money, didn't do job properly and then didn't rectify it. Once I nearly bought 5 tubs from home base but thought to check one tub first I tend to use geo fix this was another brand, the material had gone off in tub I checked another one, it turned out every tub I picked up was gone off and was pass expired date , I complained in store and about this a few day later was in there getting other materials product was still on shelf in

[@maxwellhall3329]

Didn’t use it correctly obviously! Used it twice on my patio over 10 years never had a problem! Your typical cowboy cutting corners! 🙄

[@stephenhuskins920]

This product us utter rubbish only been in 2years started to crumble never again back to cement

[@adrianuk8102]

Im a bricklayer n i always recommend using old fashion 4:1 sand n cement wet pointing, to my clients way forward 👍👍

[@tdbricklayingandbuilding]

Sand and cement looks good until the winter comes and the cold and wet crumbles it away!!!

[@jamesdykstra6302]

Your flagging is awful as well though. You’ve not followed any type of pattern. It’s just all over the place

[@cunnie84]

Oh sorry about that. I didnt realize that us sticking to the pattern a very fussy customer and the supplier worked out to save on cuts and waste was a problem to anyone else. Im sure every job we do is how the customer wants it not how we want it !!

[@MatthewMackenzie]

Dude, the last thing most people want with this type of stone is to see a repeating pattern, completely random look is so much better.

[@xavierayayaell546]

This guy's ego is the only problem here. Standard know it all didn't read the instructions because he's "been in this trade 30 years" and fucked it up completely but is incapable of accepting the responsibility personally so will blame anyone else he can. I bet he also said it was the clients request to use this particular product and so they are the idiots not him.

[@johngibson2356]

I had the same stuff used on my patio absolute rubbish can not jet wash and when I brush it just like wet sand coming out now its got grass growing out of it and gone dark green with mould steer clear of this sika pave fix rubbish

[@michaelgoodwin593]

Failed after a year for me. What do you recommend instead?

[@JackSmith-kp2vs]

Easy joint or joint in

[@michaelgoodwin593]

@@JackSmith-kp2vs cheers I'll check it out. Planning to do it soon

[@jamesburton9350]

Well, 3 years on from your post, I can confirm this stuff is still unfit for purpose just as you describe. Waste of time and money as no chance of a refund on the product that is still sitting in the gaps between my cobble stones, as powdery as when I ''brushed it in' as instructed. What's more, when I tried tamping it down, it collapsed to about half my original 'brushed in and job done' fill height. And so I would need another £18 tub to top up this useless 'set's hard' product. As the original tub only covered an area of 2.2 M2 that's going to work out at £36 and I have another 6.6 M2 to go that would be £144 all up. I'm going back to a 3:1 dry sand/cement mix - at all up price of a tenner

[@StealthElectronVIP]

Maybe learn to apply it.

[@cunnie84]

Maybe it was put in to manufacturers guidelines and even the rep says what we did was right and ended up blaming it on a bad batch but we still had to pay

[@vanhilden8330]

try normal mortar

[@stuartpywell8960]

I used Sika Pave Fix Plus last November 2017 following recommendation from JEWSON. We applied as stated and advised on video and instructions. It did not set in several areas but appeared to set in some. We had gaps/joints of over 5mm and slabs are 30mm deep but still three months later I am in dispute with Sika. They claim the gaps are too small and drainage not good although we laid a compacted base of type 1 and set slabs on mortar dot and dab that is at least 20/30mm. A lot of conflict as to whether slabs should be wet or not also whether excess rain can affect application. I would certainly not recommend this product and would advise anyone to look at the comments below. A rubbish product costing us at least a £1k to buy use remove and replace.. should carry a health warning! Try a different product company reluctant to act or take on board our comments. Feb 2018

[@brianlodge7644]

Had the same problem, just cracks and washes out, dare not touch it with a broom or will lose the lot.

[@richwallwin]

A grand!? How big was this patio? We use this product all the time but you have to compact it in like you do with normal sand/cements jointing, don’t just brush it in like it says on the box. The only problems we’ve ever had are people jet washing to close and blasting the stuff out the joints

[@richwallwin]

Leon Widdicombe they’re other brands and types, I’m sure there is a non permeable one about most likely a two parter where you have add the harder into the grit and mix it up and brush it in. Nexus do a massive selection so I’d check them out maybe call their technical department before you make any choices, I know they do one where it can take a 40 ton waggon so they must make non permeable ones

[@stigkrakpants3052]

''drainage not good enough'' what does that mean? There isn't sufficient slope to drain pooled water? Or that the mortar bed the slabs sit on isn't permeable? A patio is laid onto concrete or a previous patio and then on top of a mortar base so how can it drain????

[@barkershill]

@@stigkrakpants3052 in agreement with you,Stig

[@vanhilden8330]

try normal mortar