Mix of sand and cement for cobblelock joints

v638sg7k1a92bx

Has anyone ever done this. I'm power wash the driveway to remove all the weeds. I was thinking of then mixing sand & cement and sweeping between the joints. I'll then wet the driveway and let the cement will harden.

Has anyone ever done this before?

Luckysasha

All that will happen is the cement will crack with the movement of the cobblelock. I do mine once a year as follows, blow all loose debris from paving with leafblower, then powerhose the cobbles, I then spread a layer of silica sand over the entire area covering all the cobbles and run a whacked plate over it to set the sand in to the joints, sweep off any remaining sand, then I apply a sealer to the whole area and leave it a day or two to dry.
The sealer will set the sand hard which means when you go to wash the cobbles next year the sand won't blow out.
I have 150 m2 of cobblelock and I do it in stages every year. It's five years since I did the first area and all it takes mow is a good washing and maybe a half a bag of sand to top up the joints and a reseal

v638sg7k1a92bx

Luckysasha wrote: »

All that will happen is the cement will crack with the movement of the cobblelock. I do mine once a year as follows, blow all loose debris from paving with leafblower, then powerhose the cobbles, I then spread a layer of silica sand over the entire area covering all the cobbles and run a whacked plate over it to set the sand in to the joints, sweep off any remaining sand, then I apply a sealer to the whole area and leave it a day or two to dry.
The sealer will set the sand hard which means when you go to wash the cobbles next year the sand won't blow out.
I have 150 m2 of cobblelock and I do it in stages every year. It's five years since I did the first area and all it takes mow is a good washing and maybe a half a bag of sand to top up the joints and a reseal

Thanks for sharing. How much sand did you use first time, my driveway is approx 100m2? Does the sealer really harden the sand to prevent weeds from growing through?

Luckysasha

I honestly forget how much sand it took first go but it keeps well even if the bag is open. The sealer is a great job but you have to buy good professional trade stuff stay away from woodies and B&q. I buy mine online it's called picseal. They have an Irish agent who will take your order over the phone and send it via courier. It's expensive but really good stuff for 100 m2 your probably talking €300. But again it will keep if you over order.
I see a hire shop near me advertising a rotary cleaner for cobblelock. It looks a good job I'm toying with the idea of trying it next time

v638sg7k1a92bx

Luckysasha wrote: »

I honestly forget how much sand it took first go but it keeps well even if the bag is open. The sealer is a great job but you have to buy good professional trade stuff stay away from woodies and B&q. I buy mine online it's called picseal. They have an Irish agent who will take your order over the phone and send it via courier. It's expensive but really good stuff for 100 m2 your probably talking €300. But again it will keep if you over order.
I see a hire shop near me advertising a rotary cleaner for cobblelock. It looks a good job I'm toying with the idea of trying it next time

I used one of those rotary cleaners before and it made an absolute mess. The whole driveway turned into a sloppy mess. I wouldn't use it again.

Out of interest, how much is the maintenance on your driveway per year i.e. whacked plate, power hose, silica sand and picseal?

Luckysasha

I have my own power washer so that's a help cost wise. I'd say on average it costs roughly €100 a year. Biggest thing is time needed. I usually do it on a bank holiday weekend that way I can get three full days at it. The slowest part is the power hosing that's why I way hoping that rotary washer might be a good job. Oh I forgot to mention before I resend the joints I normally give the whole area a good spray of roundup to kill any weeds hiding underneath.