What Are The Top Three Paving Mortars Available
- Posted by Direct Sealants in Sealants
- February 8, 2018
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Whether you’re building a garden seating area, adding some fresh texture to your yard, or, investing in curb appeal, laying down some paving mortars could be a fantastic choice. The secret to great paving is to make sure that it is durable, and continues to be a stunning part of your garden. You can do this by power cleaning the stone regularly, but durability also comes from laying the paving the correct way, which is what makes paving mortars such an important part of the process.
We are, of course, talking about using paving mortar to ensure that the joints between the slabs or stones are filled in. There are a number of benefits to making sure that you are filling in the cracks between your paving with mortar. First, it will stop weeds from growing in between them. Weeds do tend to sprout up between paving and can make this area of your garden look poorly maintained, ruining a beautiful aesthetic. As well as this, the right mortar can stop damage to the paving stones themselves by keeping them fixed and secure.
That said, you do have to choose the right paving mortars. Some paving mortars will not be suitable in wet conditions and attempts to use it in the rain will result in the mortar not setting.
You also need to consider the material you are using. Some mortar will crack over time and will need continuous maintenance. You can avoid this by making sure that you are using the perfect paving mortars for your needs. Here are the top three paving mortars that we would recommend with information on when they should be used.
Everbuild Geo Fix All Weather
Geo-Fix has been the leader on the market for years when it comes to paving portars. The products are trusted due to a high-quality level and a fantastic record of durability. However, now, thanks to a new formula, the product is a further cut above the rest. This product is the answer to the age-old issue of trying to apply a compound for joining paving in wet weather. This product provides offers all the benefits of the regular Geo-Fix, so if you are familiar with the brand name, then you won’t be disappointed.
Using this product, you can save yourself both time and effort since it is so easy to put the compound into the joints yourself. Since the mortar arrives already mixed, you can avoid the time it takes to typically prepare paving mortars. As well as this, you can be at ease knowing the product will last for a while due to the type of packaging used. It comes in vacuum-packed foil bags that are sealed and this guarantees that it remains completely fresh.
It’s a product that is completely flexible too and can be used in both dry and wet conditions. Unlike typical mortar options, the all weather mortar is totally easy to use. You can literally brush it into the joints between paving. The only requirement is that the paving that you are joining has gaps that are 6mm or over with a minimum depth of 25mm. To use the product, you simply brush it into the gaps of your paving stone and add water.
At this point, you can leave it to cure. It’s that easy and far simpler to use than typical mortar. One of the best advantages of this item is that when formed, the join is completely solid. That means that it will stop weed and plant growth completely and keep your paving looking picture perfect. However, the compound is also permeable, and this means water won’t build up on the service so it will prevent flooding on your paving.
The product is available in two colours, Natural Stone and Slate Grey. This means that it will match a number of different garden aesthetics depending on your preference. The substance comes in 14kg sized tubs and has become very popular with landscapers, DIY knuts and anyone who wants to add paving to their property. The product makes things easy for you in more ways than one and finally gives a solid option for people laying mortar in the wet and windy weather of Great Britain.
Sika Setting Sand
Another great mortar product from Everbuild is Sika Setting sand. This is ideal for use as a moisture curing jointing compound that can be used in natural joints. To use the sika setting sand, it simply needs to be poured or even swept into the joints. After you have done this, you can saturate the product with water. This will provide perfect pointing for every block paving option that you can think of. One of the biggest benefits of this product is that will allow you to set your paving faster than more typical options.
It is this quick action that makes it one of our top choices. As well as this, the product can be used regardless of your depth or width of joints between the paving stone. Appearance wise, you only have one option when using this substance. It can be purchased in a buff colour that provides a nice border around the paving that you are laying down. This product is sold in 20kg bags rather than tubs, and once it has been cured, you will be pleased to hear that it will not wash out.
It has an excellent level of durability and will not shrink or crack either. It is perfectly suited for 2-5mm wide joints however due to the flexibility of the product, it can also be used in a range of other joint widths. The Sika Setting Sand can be used for a wide range of different purposes including drivers, patios, paths and really wherever else you might want to fill in the gaps between your paving. It’s a great product to try if you’re looking for a way to make your property exterior look more stylish.
If you are looking for a way to add a great look to your exterior, you can also think about using it with a compatible, Sika Block Paving Seal surface. Used together this sealant will further improve the look of the joint between the paving. When using this product we recommend that the joints are completely cleared of debris or dirt as well as weeds.
The joints also need to be dry, and once it is filled, you can soak them thoroughly with a water can or hose. While you can walk on the surface of the Sika Setting Sand immediately, it’s worth leaving it to dry for a couple of days. Full curing may take a full month. If you are pressure washing your paving, wait 28 days after using this product to avoid it being damaged.
Everbuild Geo Fix Paving Jointing Compound
This is the original and arguably one of the best compounds for paving jointing on the market today. It can be used on any and all types of paving from slabs and stone setts to cobbles and flags. Similar to the all weather paving, this can simply be brushed into the joints of your paving and once it is set will become very hard. When purchased, the product comes ready to be used and is completely air cured. That means that you don’t have to mix the product yourself and can start using these paving mortars straight after purchase. This paving mortar is totally waterproof and will even be resistant to frost. As such, you won’t have to worry about it shrinking or indeed cracking in cold weather.
However, as well as this it’s also permeable which again means that you won’t have to fear flooding. It is most typically used on outdoor areas of patio however it can also be used indoors in a room like a conservatory. Since the product is so versatile, it can be used for the paving of virtually any property that you can think of. This product can be used in areas where vehicles will be such as the driveway however constantly driving on it could ultimately lead to damage over time.
It is suited for joints that are 5mm wide or over. If it is used in smaller gaps, it won’t be as effective, but another big benefit is that the product won’t stain. That means if you aren’t the most meticulous person you can still use it and you won’t need to worry about ruining the look of your paving. This product is available in 20kg tubs so you might need a couple for a larger surface area of paving stones.
The product is available in two colours: grey and buff so you’ll be able to match it to these shades of paving. The big benefit of this product is that it will stop weeds in their tracks from growing between your paving. As well as that, once it is used the product will not crack or wash out. Instead, you can trust it to last for a long period.
Conclusion on paving mortars
Anyone of these mortars could be the perfect option regardless of whether you’re completing landscaping work or touching up your garden.