How to seal the seams of paving slabs - materials, useful tips, work progress

The technology for installing paving slabs involves filling the joints. Failure to follow the installation instructions will result in a reduction in the service life of the coating.Grouting the seams of paving slabs is a process that can be performed by a person who has no experience in carrying out repair and construction work.

Why do you need to seal seams?

It is unacceptable to mount the slabs close together. A gap of 5-7 mm is left between the individual elements. It prevents deformation of the coating when the ambient temperature changes. When heated, the paving slabs expand and the seam becomes smaller.

If you do not grout the seams of paving slabs between the panels, liquid will accumulate in them during precipitation. When water freezes, it expands and destroys the sides of the slabs.

During long-term use, dirt gets into the gaps between the elements. This leads to rotting of surfaces. It is possible for plant seeds to germinate in the seams, which will subsequently cause the destruction of the fabric.

Grouting allows you to seal the joints of paving slabs. The composition used in the process prevents the penetration of moisture and the accumulation of contaminants. By following the installation technology, it will be possible to increase the service life of the finished coating.

Required materials and tools

The technology does not involve the use of specialized tools. The list is selected separately for each case. In this case, the type of mixture used during work is taken into account.

For grouting you will need:

1. Construction mixer. For small amounts of work, you can use a drill attachment to mix the solution.
2. Sieve. Used to clean bulk materials from inclusions of large fractions.
3. A container for carrying and mixing the mixture for grouting paving slabs.
4. Cement M400.
5. Sand.
6. Water. To facilitate work, liquid is supplied under pressure from a hose.
7. Elastic spatula (when used as a grout for liquid mortar).
8. Broom.

Materials and tools are placed at the workplace in a convenient order. Sand and cement are placed close to the concrete mixer. Proper organization of the workplace will speed up the process.

Execution of work

The voids are filled with liquid mortar, sand-cement mixture or clean sand. Grouting the seams of paving slabs with tile adhesive is unprofitable due to its high cost.

The technology for performing the work is different for each method. At the initial stage, surface preparation is carried out. This is necessary to clean the gaps from dirt. If paving slabs have just been laid, then no cleaning is required.

Accumulated contaminants are moistened with water supplied under pressure. The coating is left for some time. The gaps are cleaned with a thin object. Suitable for this purpose:

• flat screwdriver;
• chisel;
• thin metal rod.

When cleaning, accumulated dirt is removed as much as possible and plant roots are removed. The remaining debris is washed out with water supplied from a pressurized hose.

Work is carried out in dry weather. The technology does not allow for a certain amount of liquid to get into the tile joints. To avoid damage to the finished web, do not work at sub-zero ambient temperatures. In the cold, water will turn into ice and move the slabs from their seats.

Sealing with dry mixture

The technology involves filling the gaps with cement mixed with sand. When mixing, the proportions are 1:5.This makes it possible to obtain a durable coating that is resistant to the negative effects of moisture.

Grouting the joints of paving slabs with a dry mixture is carried out in the following sequence:

1. The sand is sifted. The ingress of coarse stones will make it difficult to fill voids.
2. Bulk materials are loaded into a concrete mixer or mixing container.
3. Mix sand with cement until a homogeneous mass is obtained.
4. Pour the mixture in small quantities onto the surface of the canvas.
5. Use a broom to sweep away cement and sand. In this case, the tile joints are filled.
6. Fill the path with water. In this case, the mixture settles in the seams and voids are formed.
7. A second layer of cement and sand is poured.
8. Fill the gaps with it and moisten it with water again.

When refilling, a stream of water is directed onto the slabs. This prevents the mixture from being washed out of the gaps. In areas where the grout has sagged, you will need to add a third layer of grout.

After hardening, it is possible to obtain a durable layer that is resistant to mechanical stress and temperature changes.

Sealing with cement mortar

The method is used when installing slabs on a concrete base. By using cement mortar, it is possible to obtain a sealed canvas that prevents precipitation from penetrating inside.

Grouting the seams of paving slabs with cement and water is unacceptable. After hardening, the composition will crack. To avoid the formation of cracks, a fine filler – sand – is added to the solution. Before mixing, it is sifted through a sieve.

Filling the voids with solution is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Cement and sand are loaded into a concrete mixer or container. In this case, the proportion is 1:5. If you plan to grout the seams of colored paving slabs, pigment is added to the composition.
2. The composition is applied into the seams in small portions.For dense filling, use an elastic spatula.
3. Wash off the composition from the surface of the slabs with water.

Work is carried out at above-zero temperatures. In cold weather, moisture will quickly leave the solution, which reduces its strength characteristics. If filling gaps is carried out in hot weather, you will need to additionally moisten the curing composition with water. This is necessary to maintain a normal level of moisture in the solution.

Sealing with clean sand

The method is applied if slabs laid on sand. This way, moisture does not accumulate on the path, but goes through the seams into the drainage layer. Before embedding, the material is cleared of coarse stones through a sieve.

The technology is no different from filling tile joints with a dry mixture. The material is brought into the voids with a broom.

The sand is compacted with water. As it settles, the procedure is repeated.

Useful tips

To facilitate sealing and increase the service life of paving slabs, several rules are taken into account:

1. A plasticizer must be added to the solution. The dosage of products from different manufacturers differs. Before using a particular plasticizing agent, study the instructions.
2. Prepare the liquid composition in small portions. The solution loses its properties during long-term storage.
3. Do not use metal objects (trowel, spatula, etc.) for grouting. Violating this rule will result in damage to the decorative surface of the slab.
4. Use sand without foreign impurities. A large amount of clay worsens the characteristics of the composition.
5. To improve the strength properties, you can add a small amount of slaked lime to the solution.
6. It is important to keep your gutters clean.

Grouting joints on paving slabs is necessary to protect the coating from damage due to temperature changes. The method of filling voids is different. It is selected separately for each case, taking into account the installation technology. You can do the work yourself.

Have you grouted the seams on paving slabs? What materials and tools were used? Write in the comments. Bookmark the article and share it on social networks with your friends.

Video on the topic of the article.

What and how to fill the seams of paving slabs.

Grouting the joints of paving slabs with cement and washing the joints.