Patio slab replacement in Exeter
Professional patio slab replacement services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Single slab replacement or multiple slabs - I lift damaged paving carefully, match replacements as closely as possible, and re-lay everything perfectly level with proper bedding and pointing.
That Cracked Slab Needs Sorting
You know the one - cracked right across, piece broken off the corner, or shattered by frost. It's not getting better on its own.
Cracked slabs are trip hazards, they let water underneath (which makes adjacent slabs wobble), and they look awful - especially annoying if the rest of your patio is in good nick.
Good news: replacing individual slabs is straightforward. Lift the broken one, bed in a replacement, point the joints. Job done in an hour or two and you'd barely know there was a problem.
💡 Pro tip: Deal with broken slabs quickly. Water gets in through cracks, freezes in winter, and damages the slabs around it. One broken slab can become three if you leave it.
Why Proper Replacement Matters
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Pointing carefully raked out first | Try to lever slab without removing pointing |
| Slab lifted without damaging adjacent ones | Surrounding slabs cracked in removal |
| New slab bedded on proper sand/mortar | Just plonked on whatever was there |
| Levelled perfectly with rest of patio | Obviously different height |
| Pointed to match existing joints | Messy, different colour mortar |
The Replacement Process
🔧 How It's Done Carefully
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Inspect | Check if base underneath is also damaged |
| Rake out | Remove all pointing around broken slab |
| Lift | Carefully lever out slab without disturbing others |
| Prep base | Check bedding layer, add new if needed |
| Match slab | Find closest match possible |
| Bed in | Set new slab level with surrounding ones |
| Point | Fill joints to match existing |
| Clean | Remove excess, job done |
Pricing Guide
| Job Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 broken slab | 1 hr (minimum) | £60 |
| 2-3 slabs | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| 4-5 slabs | 2 hrs | £110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Replacement slabs charged separately (typically £5-25 each depending on type).
Replacement slab costs:
- Standard concrete slab: £5-10
- Indian sandstone: £15-25
- Reclaimed/specialist: varies
Finding Matching Slabs
The matching game:
✅ Current patterns - If your patio is recent and standard stock, easy to match from merchants
✅ Indian sandstone - Natural variation means near-matches blend in well once weathered
✅ Reclaimed/old - I check reclaim yards and salvage places for period paving
⚠️ Discontinued lines - Trickier but not impossible, sometimes involves detective work
Sneaky solution: If I can't find a perfect match, we can swap the broken visible slab with one from behind a shed or corner, then put the mismatch where it doesn't show. Works brilliantly.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Cracked slab - frost damage or impact broken it
✅ Trip hazard - broken edge sticking up
✅ Stained slab - oil/paint soaked in permanently
✅ Wrong slab - one different pattern you want to replace
Why Choose Us for Patio slab replacement in Exeter?
Old slab lifted carefully without damaging adjacent ones
Replacement slab matched as closely as possible
Re-laid perfectly level with surrounding patio
Pointed to match existing joints
What to Expect
Step 1: Quick Look
I check the broken slab, see what's involved, confirm I can find a match. Give you a price on the spot.
Step 2: Careful Removal
Rake out all the pointing around the damaged slab. Then carefully lever it out without disturbing the ones around it - this is where technique matters.
Step 3: Replace & Finish
Check the bedding layer underneath, add fresh sand/mortar if needed. Bed in the new slab perfectly level with the rest. Point the joints to match existing. Clean up. You'd never know.
🔧 DIY Tips
Replacing a slab yourself is actually very doable. Here's how to do it without disaster:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Pointing trowel or old knife
- Bolster chisel and club hammer
- Pry bar or strong old spade
- Rubber mallet
- Spirit level
- Sharp sand or mortar mix
- Cement for pointing
- Bucket and mixing board
📐 Removing the broken slab
- Rake out ALL pointing around the slab completely
- Use bolster to make sure joints are fully cleared
- Slide pry bar under corner, lever GENTLY
- Work around all edges, don't force from one corner
- Once loose, slide it out sideways (don't try to lift straight up)
- If it's shattered, remove pieces individually
🪨 Bedding the new slab
- Check what was underneath - usually sharp sand or mortar
- If sand has washed away, add fresh and compact lightly
- For mortar bed, use 6:1 sand/cement mix
- Create 5 blobs - one each corner, one middle
- Lower new slab carefully into position
- Tap level with rubber mallet
- Check levels against surrounding slabs - all directions
- Should be flush, no rocking
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Trying to lever slab without removing pointing - you'll crack it
- Forcing from one corner - cracks adjacent slabs
- Not checking level properly - leaves obvious step
- Wet pointing too soon - disturbs freshly laid slab
- Tapping too hard - sinks slab too low, can't raise it again
- Not enough bedding material - slab wobbles later
💡 Pro trick: When lifting a slab, work slowly and patiently. If it's not budging, you haven't cleared enough pointing. Never force it - that's how you crack the slabs around it. Also, put the new slab slightly high initially - easier to tap down than to lift and re-bed if it's too low.
Finding replacement slabs:
- Take a piece of broken slab to builders' merchant for matching
- Or photo of the whole patio showing slab pattern/colour
- Ask when they last had stock - might still be available
- Reclamation yards for older patterns
- Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree sometimes have patio takeaways
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎯 Perfect match not always possible: Older patios or discontinued lines can be impossible to match exactly. A near-match often blends better than you'd think, especially once it weathers. New slab will be cleaner and brighter but fades to match within a year.
Multiple broken slabs? If you've got several, worth doing them all at once. I'm already there, tools are out, cement's mixed. Works out cheaper per slab.
Why did it crack? If the slab cracked due to poor support underneath, I'll sort that when replacing. But if your whole patio has foundation issues (multiple slabs cracking), replacing individuals is just temporary - we'd need to talk about broader repairs.
Selling your house? Definitely worth replacing obviously broken slabs before viewings. Buyers notice patio damage and either knock money off or walk away. Quick fix makes property look cared-for.
Period properties: Older Exeter houses often have York stone, reclaimed slabs, or Victorian pavers. These are worth hunting for proper replacements rather than bodging with concrete. I know where to look locally for reclaimed materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do patio slabs crack?
Usually frost damage or poor support underneath. Water gets in, freezes, expands, and cracks the slab. Sometimes it's impact damage - heavy plant pot dropped, or the slab was already cracked when laid. Once cracked, they only get worse as more water gets in.
Can you find slabs that match my existing patio?
I'll do my best. If it's current stock from a builders' merchant, usually straightforward. Older or discontinued patterns are trickier - I check reclaim yards and specialist suppliers. Worst case, we can swap a broken visible slab with one from a less obvious area, then put the mismatch where it doesn't show.
How much does it cost to replace one slab?
Single slab including labour is £60 (that's my minimum callout). Two slabs would be £85, three slabs £110. Price includes lifting, re-bedding, and pointing. Replacement slab itself charged separately as prices vary - budget £5-25 per slab depending on type.
Can you just replace one slab or do I need a whole section done?
I can absolutely replace individual slabs. Lift the broken one, prep the base underneath if needed, bed in the new slab level with the rest, point the joints. You genuinely won't be able to tell which one was replaced unless colours don't quite match.
Will replacing a slab disturb the ones around it?
Not if done carefully - which is how I work. I rake out the pointing first, then lever the slab out without touching adjacent ones. They stay put and undisturbed. It's only the broken one that comes out.
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