How to Repoint a Patio

If you’re starting to notice signs of wear and tear in your garden patio, or you’re concerned that your cracked patio joints could quickly turn into a safety hazard or lead to further unnecessary damage, it could be time to repoint your patio using a dry mix or resin-based compounds, such as Joint-It.

This simple process helps protect the longevity of your outdoor functional spaces, preventing unwanted weeds from growing between your beautiful paving slabs whilst keeping each slab in place. So, without further ado, pick a sunny day and follow our step-by-step guide to get your repointing project well underway!

What Is Repointing, and When Should You Repoint Your Patio?

Repointing, sometimes known as “regrouting”, simply means removing damaged or worn-out grout between each paving slab and re-applying fresh grout to secure the slab in place. This process protects your paving from shifting, weathering, or damage, which could eventually lead to hazards if left unprotected over time, especially during periods of poor weather.

There are several warning signs that it could be time to repoint your patio or garden path paving, including:

• If the mortar or jointing material is cracking, flaking, or falling out.
• If weeds persistently grow between slabs, indicating gaps in the joints.
• If water pools on the surface, as improper drainage is common in damaged pointing.
• If slabs are shifting or feel uneven underfoot, indicating the pointing has failed.
• If your patio is older than 10 years and hasn’t been repointed since installation.

The time of year and weather conditions are big contributing factors to the success of your repointing, as high and low temperatures can prevent the pointing compounds from settling. Therefore, a dry day in the spring or autumn is a great time to regrout a patio, giving your pointing the best chance of standing the test of time.

What Tools Will You Need?

• Pointing bar or trowel
• Grout rake
• Stirrer
• Mixing bucket
• Soft brush
• Plugging chisel or bolster
• Mortar gun
• Hose or pressure washer
• Sand and cement or resin compound (depending on chosen method)

How to Repoint a Patio: Step-By-Step

Now you’ve gathered your tools, let’s get started with the process. Remember to prioritise your safety at all times – wear appropriate gloves throughout, especially when handling mortar mix! Let’s take a look at the easy-to-follow process for repointing a patio or garden path, using the following methods:

• The dry mix method, using a mixture of sand and cement.
• The resin-based compound method, using a pre-mixed resin-based jointing compound.

Preparation Steps (Applicable to Both Methods)

1. Clean dirt, debris, and weeds from the joints and paving surface, using either a garden hose or a pressure washer. If you opt for a pressure washer, be careful as this can damage the surface of natural stone paving, as well as any paving sealing applied.
2. Carefully remove the existing grout from the paving joints using a plugging chisel or bolster, ensuring all the gaps are clean and free of loose material.
3. Lightly moisten the joints with water to prevent the new material from drying too quickly. Avoid over-saturating, as excessive water can weaken the new jointing material.

Dry Mix Method

1. Combine 4 parts sand with 1 part cement in a bucket (as a rough guideline), mixing thoroughly until you reach a uniform consistency. Test the mix to see if it holds together well when squeezed.
2. Pour the mix into the paving joints using a mortar gun (if you have one), and use a pointing trowel to press the mixture firmly, compacting it down to ensure there are no air gaps. Make sure no dry mix is left on top of the paving slabs, as this could cause staining; simply sweep away any excess into the joints.
3. Lightly mist the filled joints with water to begin the curing process. However, be cautious not to over-wet the joints, as this could wash out your cement! Allow the mix to cure for at least 24 to 48 hours before using the patio, and cover it if wet weather occurs within the first few days.

Resin-Based Compound Method

1. Using a hose, thoroughly wet the paving surface with water, as this creates a “suction effect” that helps the compound fill the joints and can help you avoid temporary staining on the paving surface.
2. Spread the jointing compound over the wet patio, using a soft brush to sweep it into the joints. Use a pointing trowel to press the compound firmly, eliminating the risk of air pockets forming. Rinse the patio surface with water to remove any residue, preventing staining.
3. Let the compound set as per the manufacturer’s instructions, typically 24 to 48 hours, before using the patio again. Similarly to the dry mix, cover the patio with tarpaulin in the event of rain, as this could disrupt the curing process.

How Much Does It Cost to Repoint Your Patio?

Repointing your patio or garden path can often be seen as an expensive task, but fortunately, it’s not something that you’ll need to do often – as long as you follow each step properly! On average, it’ll cost you between £10 to £20 per square metre, depending on your chosen method; traditional sand and cement mixes are generally less expensive than resin-based compounds, which offer ease of application but at a higher material cost.

Here’s an example of how much your repointing could cost:

• Small Patio (15 m²): At £15 per m², the total cost would be approximately £225.
• Medium Patio (30 m²): At £15 per m², the total cost would be around £450.
• Large Patio (50 m²): At £15 per m², the total cost would be about £750.

How Long Should Your Patio Pointing Last?

The longevity of your patio pointing largely depends on the materials you use. As a general rule of thumb, patio pointing should last around 5 years, assuming it has been applied properly. To extend the lifespan of your patio pointing, regular gentle cleaning is recommended; avoid pressure washing where possible.

Using quality products will help keep your paving slabs in place, especially those that offer greater resistance to freezing conditions. At Minster Paving, we stock several grout solutions to help your repointing needs, such as:

• Joint-It Simple
• Projoint Polysweep
• ProJoint Max
• ProJoint Titan
• ProJoint Rapidflow
• ProJoint Porcelain Grout
• Kiln Dried Sand
• Joint Grit (1-4 mm)

Need More Advice for Your Patio Projects?

Starting a DIY project – such as repointing your patio – can often feel daunting to begin with, especially if it’s your first time doing so. Our experts at Minster Paving are always on hand to provide guidance before, during, or after any outdoor projects; simply give us a call today at 01865 300252, contact us online, or visit our Standlake-based site.