Repairing mortar on driveway - advice required

[Bav]

Hi guys. I'm looking for some advice from a builder or anyone with experience of mortaring stone setts.

My driveway and parking area at home are laid in Yorkshire stone setts (locally called cobbles) and were built about 10 years ago. After pressure-washing the cobbles yesterday (before the local hose-pipe ban kicks-in!), I noticed a few small patches where the mortar needs repairing as it appears to have been "eaten away" by overlying moss.

The builder that laid the cobbles was a specialist (apparently his previous job had been re-laying the cobbles down the main street of Haworth - the tourist village of Brontë sister fame) and he used a powder mortar that he swept into the joints and which set rock-hard after a couple of days. At the time he told me that this was "the best commercial-grade stuff" which was usually used on public highways and, having done a bit of googling, I believe it was a polymeric resin mortar(?).

So, the questions I have are:

• Is mortar being "eaten" by moss a known problem?
• Has anyone any idea what type/ make of resin he would have used? (If possible I'd like to use the same as it has been excellent, with no weeds coming through at all)
• If I can't identify the type/make of resin used, can I just use a similar resin?
• Can I just sweep some more resin mortar into the affected area, or do I need to do additional prep work first?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lukavell]

I've just used similar stuff for my new patio, can't remember the brand but I got it from B&Q for about £35, in a yellow bucket. It seems to have worked very well.

 

[MasterMates]

I used this stuff

Sika Fastfix Self-Setting Paving Jointing Compound Deep Grey 14kg - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Self-setting paving jointing compound that provides the ideal solution to perfect pointing on paving, paths and patios. All-weather formula, can even be applied in the rain. Provides a natural barrier to weed growth. FREE next day delivery available, free collection...

www.screwfix.com

great results and comes in several colours

 

[Sackmycook]

My neighbour has just done his patio with 'synthetic mortar'.....? Looks great. Don't know what product, sorry

 

[Lukavell]

I used this stuff

Sika Fastfix Self-Setting Paving Jointing Compound Deep Grey 14kg - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Self-setting paving jointing compound that provides the ideal solution to perfect pointing on paving, paths and patios. All-weather formula, can even be applied in the rain. Provides a natural barrier to weed growth. FREE next day delivery available, free collection...

www.screwfix.com

great results and comes in several colours

That's the stuff!

 

[JOG]

Sika products are very good

 

[jimc91]

For that to work well you need to ensure the gap’s being filled are a decent depth, too shallow and it will fail,

 

[Bav]

For that to work well you need to ensure the gap’s being filled are a decent depth, too shallow and it will fail,

How deep do reckon the gaps need to be Jim?

The depth of the cobbles themselves vary from 6 to, say, 10 inches, but the gaps in the mortar are probably only 2 inches deep.

 

[jimc91]

How deep do reckon the gaps need to be Jim?

The depth of the cobbles themselves vary from 6 to, say, 10 inches, but the gaps in the mortar are probably only 2 inches deep.

I was having a chat about this stuff the other day with the foreman on a building site and he had used it on his patio, they were using something similar on site and it looked good. He said his had failed in places where it wasn’t deep enough or where he hadn’t cleaned out the joints properly , you need a minimum of 20mm so 2 inches/ 50mm will be fine

 

[Bav]

I was having a chat about this stuff the other day with the foreman on a building site and he had used it on his patio, they were using something similar on site and it looked good. He said his had failed in places where it wasn’t deep enough or where he hadn’t cleaned out the joints properly , you need a minimum of 20mm so 2 inches/ 50mm will be fine

Thanks for the info Jim.