Patio repointing in Exeter
Professional patio repointing services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote required
Typical Duration
1-2 days
Location
Exeter, Devon
Complete patio repointing - I rake out all the old crumbling mortar and fill joints with fresh pointing that'll last for years. Stops weeds, prevents water damage, and makes your patio look clean and cared-for again.
Tired, Crumbling Patio Joints?
You know your patio needs repointing when you've got weeds growing through the cracks, mortar that crumbles when you poke it, and gaps you could stick your finger in.
This isn't just cosmetic. Failed pointing lets water underneath, which washes away the bedding sand, which leads to wobbly slabs. Fix the pointing now and you avoid expensive repairs later.
Plus, a freshly repointed patio just looks so much better - clean joints, no weeds, the whole thing looks cared for.
💡 Pro tip: Repointing is one of those jobs that looks simple but makes a massive difference. Fresh joints transform a tatty patio into one that looks professionally maintained.
Why Proper Repointing Matters
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| All old mortar raked out properly | Just scrape the surface |
| Fresh mortar mixed to right consistency | Too wet or too dry - cracks or crumbles |
| Joints filled completely, finished neatly | Half-filled, messy edges |
| Weeds can't grow through | Weeds back within weeks |
| Lasts 10-15 years | Needs redoing in 2-3 years |
The Repointing Process
🔧 How It's Done Properly
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Prep | Cover any plants, protect surrounding areas |
| Rake out | Remove ALL old mortar to proper depth (20mm+) |
| Clean | Brush out debris, dampen joints |
| Mix | Prepare mortar to right consistency (crucial) |
| Point | Fill joints properly, finish neatly |
| Clean | Remove excess, sponge slabs, final tidy |
| Cure | Leave to set properly (weather dependent) |
What Affects the Quote
| Factor | Impact on Price/Time |
|---|---|
| Patio size | More square metres = more joints to rake and fill |
| Joint width | Wider joints take more mortar, more time |
| Old mortar condition | Rock-hard old mortar takes ages to rake out |
| Slab type | Textured stone needs careful cleaning vs smooth concrete |
| Weed growth | Heavily overgrown joints need extra prep |
| Access | Everything through house adds barrowing time |
Every patio is different. I'll measure up and give you an exact quote.
Pointing Mix Options
What goes in the joints:
🏠 Standard cement mortar (4:1) - Grey when fresh, weathers lighter. Tough and durable. Most common choice.
🌾 Buff/sand colour - Warmer tone, suits Indian sandstone and natural stone. Uses different sand.
🌿 Resin-based - Premium option, very strong, resists weeds better. More expensive but lasts longer.
⚠️ NOT kiln-dried sand - That's for block paving only. Wrong for regular slab patios - it washes out.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Weeds everywhere - joints full of growth, looks neglected
✅ Crumbling mortar - falls out when you poke it
✅ Water pooling - mortar's washed away, water getting under slabs
✅ Selling house - tatty pointing puts buyers off
✅ Garden pride - want patio looking sharp again
Why Choose Us for Patio repointing in Exeter?
Old mortar raked out completely
Fresh pointing properly mixed and applied
Stops water getting underneath slabs
Prevents weeds growing through joints
What to Expect
Step 1: Assessment & Quote
I measure your patio, check joint condition, discuss colour options. Give you an exact quote for the full job.
Step 2: Rake Out
This is the hard graft - removing all the old mortar to proper depth using angle grinder or hand tools. Dusty, noisy, but essential for good results.
Step 3: Point & Finish
Mix fresh mortar, fill all joints completely, finish them neatly. Clean the slabs as I go. When I'm done, your patio looks transformed.
🔧 DIY Tips
Repointing a patio yourself is definitely doable - just time-consuming. Here's how:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Angle grinder with diamond blade (hire from tool shop)
- Plugging chisel and club hammer (for hand raking)
- Pointing trowel and bucket trowel
- Wheelbarrow for mixing
- Stiff brush and sponge
- Safety gear: goggles, dust mask, ear defenders
- Cement, sharp sand (or pre-mixed mortar)
📐 Raking out old mortar
- Put on ALL safety gear - this creates dust and noise
- Use angle grinder to cut out mortar between slabs
- Go at least 20mm deep (deeper is better)
- Finish corners with plugging chisel
- Brush out all debris thoroughly
- Rinse joints with hose, let drain
🪨 Applying fresh pointing
- Mix 4 parts sharp sand to 1 part cement
- Add water gradually - want firm, not sloppy
- Dampen joints with spray bottle or brush
- Pack mortar in with pointing trowel
- Fill completely flush with slabs
- Smooth finish with damp sponge
- Clean slabs immediately - cement stains once dry
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not raking out deep enough - new mortar just falls out
- Mortar too wet - shrinks and cracks as it dries
- Working in hot sun - mortar dries too fast
- Not cleaning slabs quickly - cement haze permanent
- Pointing when rain forecast - washes straight out
- Rushing the job - wonky joints obvious on large areas
💡 Pro trick: Do a small test area first to get your mortar consistency right and practice the technique. Much better to learn on 1m² than discover problems after you've done half the patio. Also, work backwards so you're not kneeling on fresh pointing.
⚠️ Weather timing: Only repoint when dry weather's forecast for 2-3 days. Check the weather obsessively before starting - rain washes out fresh mortar and ruins your work.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌧️ Weather critical: Repointing MUST have dry weather - ideally spring or autumn. Too hot (summer) and mortar dries too fast. Too cold (winter) and it won't cure properly. Rain before it's set washes everything out.
Pressure washer warning: If you've been pressure washing your patio, you've probably blasted out loads of pointing already. That's actually what causes most of the damage. Once joints are repointed, wash carefully or stick to brush and bucket.
Block paving different: This is for slab patios with mortared joints. Block paving uses kiln-dried sand instead - completely different job. If you've got blocks, you need "block paving sand replacement" not repointing.
Old Exeter patios: Period properties often have York stone or reclaimed slabs with lime mortar joints. These sometimes need lime-based repointing rather than cement to match original and let stone breathe. I'll advise what's appropriate for your specific patio.
Combine with cleaning? If your patio needs both repointing AND a good clean, we should pressure wash first, then repoint. Doing it the other way round risks damaging fresh joints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do patio joints need repointing?
Mortar joints break down over time - frost damage, weathering, pressure washing all take their toll. Once joints crumble away, water gets underneath and washes away the bedding sand. Then slabs start wobbling. Repointing early saves you from bigger repairs later.
How much does patio repointing cost?
It's quoted per job because patio size and joint condition vary massively. As a very rough guide, figure £20-30 per square metre for a straightforward repoint. Small patios (10-15m²) might be £200-400. I'll give you an exact quote once I've seen the job and measured up.
Can you just do the worst bits or does the whole patio need doing?
You can patch the worst areas, but honestly if some joints are failing, the rest probably aren't far behind. Doing the whole patio at once looks better (consistent colour), costs less per square metre, and means you're not calling me back in a year for the bits we skipped.
What colour pointing do you use?
Standard is cement grey which weathers to a nice neutral tone. I can also do buff (sandy colour) or add dyes for specific shades if you want to match existing or create contrast. We'll discuss what suits your slabs best.
How long before I can walk on repointed patio?
Light walking after 24 hours. Full use after 2-3 days. The mortar needs time to cure properly before heavy traffic or furniture. I'll let you know exact timings based on weather conditions when I'm done.
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