[H20cleaning]

I never offer pointing patios as I have no experience doing it, however I was wondering how hard is it to do?
I assume there is probly ready mix bags out there were you simply point it into the gaps and sweep away excess, would I be right in thinking that?
How do you guys do it and does it cost much more?

[Rob@Blast off]

I won't do it anymore as it always takes twice as long as you think and is a pain in rear.

[jobjetting]

every patio ive cleaned had absolute crap pointing! never done it but i reckon its harder then it looks, especially if the paving isnt 100% even.

did look into the ready mixed stuff (geofix) and that stuff it absolute crap, it only last a few months then starts to crack etc

so in the end i just tell the customer i cant do it. i have tried to partner up with some local companys IE we refer each other but none were interested!

[Kev Martin]

It is relatively easy to do if you get it right.

[Mike Halliday]

I served my time as a bricklayer so have done my  fair share of pointing .... I would never offer to repoint a patio, you either need to chop out all the existing pointing (some of which will be rock solid) or patch up the bits that come out with cleaning..... which will never match the original so will look crap.

And you need to wet point it to make a lasting job, this will smear everywhere unless you are experienced in pointing

[H20cleaning]

Glad to see none of you offer it aswell because I couldn't really be p'eed I was just making sure there wasn't any big hidden money in it 

[Smurf]

I'm just cleaner I tell em not a builder so I pre warn them with dodgy looking pointing using high pressure will remove blown pointing as well as the moss and weeds from any joints. Then afterwards that is down to them to sort it out not me. Oh and the weeds, moss etc will eventualy grow back too 

[chrissyman]

On that note smurf.  Done a job 6 weeks ago.  Looked brilliant when finished.  That was until i  drove past today to see weeds growing on it.  Any way to stop it coming this soon.  Kind of defeats the purpose of doing it if it comes back so soon after.

[Smurf]

Are you on about block paving?

[chrissyman]

Yeah.  It was block paving.   Apologies for changing the topic guys. 

On the topic of repointing sure i ve used the stuff that sets in the joints before.  Good stuff imo but can get quite expensive.  As the man said above though you really need to get all the jointing out.  Starts becoming time consuming.  Probably not worth doing unless its gonna cost you a great job or that.

[Smurf]

You could try this instead of normal kiln dried sand http://www.wickes.co.uk/Dansand-No-Weed-Block-Paving-Sand/p/119555

[H20cleaning]

£10.99 a bag  haha how can sand stop weeds growing haha?

[Smurf]

This just might answer your question http://www.dansand.co.uk/products/block-paving-sand/
--------------------------------------------
Need to get rid of those stubborn weeds in the joints on your patio, driveway or paving? Keep them away for a good long time with our light-coloured Dansand® block paving sand for repointing and repairing granite and concrete paving and flagstones.
 
This naturally alkaline mixture of oven-dried, nutrient-poor minerals creates desert-like conditions to keep weeds under control in a very natural way – without chemicals. Dansand® block paving sand will keep weeds at bay for years, even with continuous heavy rain – as extensive testing has demonstrated.

Our light-coloured Dansand® block paving sand is easy to use and ideal for narrow joints on patios, sidewalks and driveways with light traffic.
 
Benefits of Dansand® block paving sand:
>For repointing and repair
>Environmentally friendly
>Highly weed-retardant
>Flexible joint material
>Stable paving
>Water-permeable
>Easy to apply 

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Obviously it goes without saying you pressure wash the surface and joints to remove all the moss and weeds first and treat/remove any remaining stubborn weeds by hand like you would normally do. Then you apply the sand afterwards on another day when the blocks, joints and sub base are bone dry.

[chrissyman]

Good find smurf.  Will maybe look into using it.  Its getting customers to pay for is the hard part.

[drive surgeon]

Bad for business as you want to go back every year to clean 😳  It won't stop moss soon as it gets damp in the winter the moss will form in the chamfer of the blocks .  Waste of money I think

[Smurf]

You could also say it's bad for business to see weeds growing back in a very short space of time too.
I don't think it’s a great idea to blast the crap out of hard surfaces once a year either if I'm honest as can damage the substrate after time.

Ideally once the area has been cleaned, treated and re-sanded if block paving then a high quality sealer should be applied to help inhibit weeds etc but I've found many due to cost don't want it done properly.

Some arse so tight they want to re-sand the block paving joints themselves afterwards and a few apply diy sealers aswell and make a right balls of it too. 

[nathankaye]

You could also say it's bad for business to see weeds growing back in a very short space of time too.
I don't think it’s a great idea to blast the crap out of hard surfaces once a year either if I'm honest as can damage the substrate after time.

Ideally once the area has been cleaned, treated and re-sanded if block paving then a high quality sealer should be applied to help inhibit weeds etc but I've found many due to cost don't want it done properly.

Some arse so tight they want to re-sand the block paving joints themselves afterwards and a few apply diy sealers aswell and make a right balls of it too.

Ive not long started with the pressure washing side of a business and mostly aimed at existing clients. I started to give them a choice when it comes to block pathing because they are tight! I explain about using the treated sand as mentioned in an above post and on some jobs it can come to a pricey amount. So i give them the option that they can (sell it on basis that some clients prefer to..) resand themselve after leaving enough days for blocks to dry efficiently. I give this option before leaving quote n adjust accordingly

[Smudger]

For a long time now I've listed resanding separately prices start at £80 + vat otherwise it's a couple of hours out your day working for nothing. It also means the actual pressure washing looks a better price rather than a higher all rolled into one effort.

Around 30% decide to resand themselves or get the "Gardiner" to do it 

Darran

[Mike Halliday]

I always give an individual price for resanding,  so I can collect payment for the pressure washing as I finish and not have to wait until I've resanded.

With resanding I tell the customer it will be done "within the next 7 days when I finish a job early" i never give an exact day & time...... then tag it onto an early finish day.  2 of us can do a big drive in 20 minutes.

[BDCS]

My missus goes and sands up