Loose slabs and crumbly joints let weeds in and water under. Here's how to put your patio right.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
A tired, wobbly patio is more than unsightly — loose joints harbour weeds and let rainwater undermine the bedding below. Repairing and repointing is very doable for most gardeners and will firm up and smarten the whole area.
Walk the patio and check each slab for movement, cracking and sunken or proud edges. Mark the problem areas — small repairs and repointing are within most people's reach, while heavily sunken or rotated slabs may need lifting and re-bedding.
Use a sharp angled trowel or a joint rake to remove old mortar and rubble from the gaps, going deep enough that new pointing has something to grip. Clear out any weeds and roots as you go, and brush the joints clean ready for the new mortar.
Mix a fine, fairly dry mortar and push it firmly into the joints with a small trowel or pointing tool, then strike it flush or slightly below the slab surface. Work in small sections and keep the mix from smearing across the paving as you go.
Keep foot traffic off the fresh joints for at least 24–48 hours and, in hot weather, lightly mist the work so the mortar cures rather than dries out too fast. Once set, seal the patio if you want, and re-apply on a warm, dry day for best results.
From landscaping to a full landscaping-style overhaul, the JFL Gardens team works across Surrey and London.
