[Slacky]

I'm sure....

I just feel the need to 'flag' something when someone suggests a problem is caused by something that doesn't actually take place. Seems an odd thing to say, when no-one ever uses DPMs on patios.


It's a bit like saying 'your pitched roof is leaking because it has a flat roof installed on it'.


Anyway, this conversation has probably run its course.

[Splash & dash]

No dry joints in a patio ever last they need a wet mix to get it  to settle a dry mix will not settle properly and in a short time will break up and come out because of gaps ware some of the mort has sunk and some hasn’t , I know loads of professional builder and firms that lay patios and all laugh at dry joints , Ime not questioning your experience but know from first hand experience of what happens when joints are done this way , many will say it’s a personal thing which way it’s done there are many who would agree with what you have said and just as many who would say the total opposite,  I know how I have had my patio joints done and it wasn’t dry , 20 years later after pressure washing  many times they are still in tact , they wouldn’t be like that with a dry mix .

[Kev Martin]

I am interested to know what qualifications you need to become a professional builder?

[Splash & dash]

I am interested to know what qualifications you need to become a professional builder?

There are many city and guild qualification for  building , take a look on there site .

[Smudger]

I agree with the others on the joints - wet mix is best thats what the FIL (time served builder of 40+ Years) uses and on an experience I have always found patio's with geo-fix dry mix to break up after the first site of frost and bad winter

when asked I usually recommend getting in someone to wet mix the joints and use the grouting gun ( if thats what its called ) to fill the joints correctly

Just my opinion ( from an unqualified Chappy )
Darran

[Kev Martin]

I think you are all misunderstanding my interpretation of a dry mix to grout a patio.  I am not talking about Geofix or any other proprietary name or makes.  None of these even existed when I was taught how to do it by a builder with over 40 years experience.   I learned to dry mix a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of cement and  dry sand.  Then add just enough cement bonding agent ( dozens available) to make it into an apple crumble mixture.  Sweep it into the joints then draw a stiff piece of hose appropriate to the width of joint down the grout.  This draws the liquid in the mixture to the surface and compresses it forcing it deep into the joint as well.  It gives fantastic smooth grout joint and sets like rock.  There is no mess and no grout haze.  Then I seal it again including  getting plenty into the grout which densifiies the grout even more.  Like I said before never had a problem or call back.

[Kev Martin]

I am interested to know what qualifications you need to become a professional builder?

There are many city and guild qualification for  building , take a look on there site .

You are missing my point.  There are no qualifications to become a professional builder as there are too many aspects to the job. You're either a qualified bricklayer, plumber, electrician, carpenter etc etc but you cannot be fully qualified in all aspects.  You can be competent or  like in many cases think you are

[Splash & dash]

I am interested to know what qualifications you need to become a professional builder?

There are many city and guild qualification for  building , take a look on there site .

You are missing my point.  There are no qualifications to become a professional builder as there are too many aspects to the job. You're either a qualified bricklayer, plumber, electrician, carpenter etc etc but you cannot be fully qualified in all aspects.  You can be competent.

You can if you do enough courses 😂😂😂😂

[Kev Martin]

I am interested to know what qualifications you need to become a professional builder?

There are many city and guild qualification for  building , take a look on there site .

You are missing my point.  There are no qualifications to become a professional builder as there are too many aspects to the job. You're either a qualified bricklayer, plumber, electrician, carpenter etc etc but you cannot be fully qualified in all aspects.  You can be competent.

You can if you do enough courses 😂😂😂😂

Lots of people think they can!  Unfortunately learning a trade / skill properly takes dedication and experience and there ain’t enough time to learn them all