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Hello @susieg
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your question about what product to use when re-grouting paving around a pool.
When re-grouting around your swimming pool, my number one tip is to make sure that all the grout has been taken off before you spread the new one on. Would it be possible for you to post a photo of the paving around the swimming pool? This will let us have a better idea of its current condition. I recommend using Dunlop Flexible Grout in conjunction with Dunlop Primer and Adative. The Dunlop Flexible Grout contains mould and bacteria protection. It is flexible, versatile, and comes in a wide range of colours. It can be applied to tile gaps between 1mm up to 8mm.
To add an extra layer of defense, I suggest using a grout sealer. This will prevent water from entering the grout and leeching out its minerals when exposed to the pool water. Please make sure that the grout is dry and free of moisture before applying the sealer. It sounds like an interesting repair project. Any updates you can provide would be much appreciated.
Please note that if the majority of the gaps are larger than 8mm you will have to use Dunlop Wide Joint Grout.
Here is a link to our best advice: How do you regrout tiles?
Here are some handy step-by-step- guides.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Thanks for your reply Eric.
Most of the grout has come away but not all. Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated as it is a massive job!
Gaps range from 3mm to >8mm
We also have a few loose pavers that need to be re-cemented in.
While I've successfully re-grouted showers and bathrooms this is a whole new level for me.
Susie
Hi @susieg,
Many thanks for those images. When you say it's a "massive job", just how large do you mean? How many square meters of paving do you need to re-grout? Due to these being an open-pore paver and unlike a shower base that has glazed tiles, you'd likely need to re-point them. This would involve using a Hyde 13mm Tuck Pointing Trowel and individually filling the grout lines, cleaning the surface of the pavers as you go. I'm a bit concerned that if you treated them like a glazed tile and spread the grout over their surface as well, you won't be able to remove it later.
For any loose grout that is still there, you'd want to remove it with a Hart 4mm Pointed Masonry Chisel. I'd also recommend giving the surface an excellent clean up with a high-pressure sprayer before commencing any re-pointing. The sprayer might also assist with blasting some of that loose grout out.
Mitchell
Hi @susieg
Thank you for the update. Now that we have a better idea of the condition of the pavers, my colleague @MitchellMc's assessment is spot on. Anything we put on there will contaminate your pavers because of their porous nature. To re-attach the loose pavers, I suggest using Selleys 415g Liquid Nails Landscape Stone Concrete Adhesive. It's rated for external use and is ideal for bonding pavers to concrete.
I agree with Mitchell this will need to be a re-point method. Extreme care will need to be applied to this repair, as you want as little of the grout to be on the pavers. As you work in an area, you will have to clean as you go. You'll need to use large sponges to remove any grout that floats around on top of the pavers. If accidentally left behind, it will stain the paver and be next to impossible to remove.
If you wish to give this a go, I propose that you do a test corner and see if you can manage the re-pointing process. Allow the grout to dry off and see if any staining occurs. If you're successful, you shouldn't see any stains, but if there are hints of staining, I suggest stopping there and consulting a paving specialist. I suggest visiting your local store and speaking to the flooring specialist. Make sure to bring your photos so that they will see your paver's condition.
Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your pavers re-grouted.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hi @susieg,
I thought I'd pop back in with another suggestion that @Jimi mentioned in their Front landscaping - starting with a blank canvas project. They applied the grouting dry, swept it into the joints, and then wet it down with several misting sprays. Now, this is a technique I've seen before, but perhaps relegated it to the back of mind as the person doing it used far too little water, and the method failed. They used only a fine mist that barely penetrated the grout and didn't set it. If you search dry grouting on Google, you'll find some information. I think this might be the best solution for your project.
Mitchell
