Asked on May 18, 2016

How to fill in concrete in a walkway made from slate pavers

Karen Griffin
by Karen Griffin
How do I fill in between slate pavers for a walkway with concrete?
(Slate pavers for garden pathway installation question)
  11 answers
  • Valerie Valerie on May 19, 2016
    I have a circle made out of pavers in my garden, with very narrow openings between the pavers. What I did was to pour dry cement in the openings, and then add the water. I used a jug to pour the cement so that I could control where it went. Do not overdo the water, a sprinkle with a watering can with a rose should do the trick. Also, make sure you do not leave any concrete lying on the pavers, as it will stain them. A paintbrush should help. Just work slowly and this should be an easy solution.
  • John Grimley John Grimley on May 19, 2016
    Have you thought about a mortar gun? (sometimes called a pointing gun). Not very expensive int the grand scheme of things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fBqU2yw9Lw Alternatively, make up your own 'piping bag' (as per cake decorating). simply add your cement/mortar into a heavy duty plastic bag, snip off a corner & allow the contents to come out. Some DiY barns even sell a ready-to-mix mortar in a handy sized bag, with the cement being supplied in a sealed bag within the main bag. Small hole in the top of the main bag to allow access to the cement, cut the cement bag. mix thoroughly then snip the corner. The sand will be damp so no need to add more water & the mix will be dry enough to brush off your slate pavers (so it shouldn't stain). The mortar will set hard in a day or so.
    • Karen Griffin Karen Griffin on May 20, 2016
      Thanks! I think my joints may be too large for this application but what a great tool! This is what I have so far.
  • CrowEyes CrowEyes on May 19, 2016
    Any possibility of a photograph? :)
  • 512181 512181 on May 19, 2016
    I have brushed fine sand in the joints and then sprinkled dry concrete on top and light misted the concrete. It seems to work. Plus, flowers sometimes grow in cracks and I like the look. If weeds grow, spray with weed killer.
  • Val Val on May 19, 2016
    Polymeric sand is the best filler, it's easy to use and creates a solid barrier
    • See 1 previous
    • Val Val on May 21, 2016
      My directions say to clean out all other sand in the joint so the deeper the compound can set up.
  • Black Hills Rosie Black Hills Rosie on May 19, 2016
    I use woolly thyme in some areas, and common thyme along edges. It's tough and smells great, though it does need to be trimmed back occasionally.
  • Anna Anna on May 21, 2016
    I would think that concrete would stain any slate that it touched.
  • Martha Martha on May 23, 2016
    Use concrete or mortar mix w/o gravel - not ready-mix. Mix it in small amounts. Use a small scoop such as a big, cheap plastic spoon or a toy shovel to work it into the cracks/ spaces. Smooth it level with the tops of the slate pavers with a squeegee or trowel. Wipe any concrete off the slate with a wet rag before it dries. Best to use some kind of sealer over all. Slate tends to pop off in layers if it freezes while wet. I'm not a pro, so you probably should check this out with someone at a masonry business.
  • Karen Griffin Karen Griffin on May 27, 2016
    Will post pictures when complete. Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! Will be using a polymeric sand application. Just waiting for everything to dry out.
  • mix concrete powder and kiln dried fine sand together in two parts concrete powder to one part sand,..then use a watering can to dampen the cracks between the slates,and most importantly,allow the water spilt onto the slates to dry out,,then put concrete and sand mix dry as a powder form into the cracks,and press down firmly,then with a very soft sweeping brush,,brush away the overspill powder off the slates..and leave to cure,,the damp from in the cracks were you poured the water will soak into the dried powder and set,,hey presto,one nice clean stain free slate surface,,if the powder mix is slow to absorb the moisture from beneath the cracks,then sprinkle water from the watering can with a very fine rose nozzle,,just enough to dampen the powder mix in the cracks,but gently does it to avoid too much water..,good luck...