Fix up a patio and paths

Clean, repair, repoint and finish your patio and paths in stages, fixing sunken slabs, paving and edging over a few weekends.

Guides in this project

01Clean a patio 02Re-point patio slabs 03Re-lay a sunken patio slab 04Weed and re-sand block paving 05Lay a gravel path 06Lay garden edging

PFP-01Plan the whole job and buy materialsWalk the whole area first and note every problem: dirty slabs, failed pointing, a sunken slab, tired block paving, a worn path and ragged edging. Buy slabs, jointing compound, sand, gravel and edging in one go so colours and sizes match across the job, and get 10% extra to cover breakages and mistakes. Treat this as a multi-weekend project rather than a single job, and set a budget that covers the whole thing, not just one patch.

1 each · Tape measure

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4 each · Contingency slabs/paving blocks

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1 each · Notebook/plan sketch

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PFP-02Sort any new outdoor power or lighting firstIf you want a new socket, light or cable run under the patio or paths, get a registered electrician in now, before any digging or laying starts. Running cable later means digging up paving you've only just laid. In England, adding a socket or light to an existing circuit outdoors is not notifiable but still needs a qualified electrician; a brand new circuit or consumer unit work is notifiable. In Wales this kind of outdoor work can be notifiable, so check with your electrician first.

RULES

1 day · Registered electrician (first fix, outdoor cable)

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10 m · Armoured cable (if running power)

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KNOW THE RULES

Part P: new circuits or consumer unit work are notifiable in England. Adding a socket or light to an existing outdoor circuit isn't notifiable in England but still needs a registered electrician. In Wales this can be notifiable.

PFP-03Clean the whole patio firstFollow the guide "Clean a patio" across the entire slabbed area before doing anything else. Cleaning first reveals cracked pointing, sunken slabs and stains you might otherwise miss. Pick a dry spell so the slabs aren't slippery, and let everything dry fully before marking up areas that need repair.

5 litre · Patio cleaner

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1 each · Stiff outdoor broom

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PFP-04Fix sunken slabs before you repointUse the guide "Re-lay a sunken patio slab" to lift and reset any slab that rocks or holds water. Do this before repointing, not after, otherwise you'll cut out fresh pointing around a slab you've just lifted. Check for cables and pipes with a detector before digging out the old bedding, and still expect to find something unexpected underneath.

RULES

1 bag (25kg) · Sharp sand

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1 bag (25kg) · Building sand/cement mortar mix

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KNOW THE RULES

Check for cables and pipes with a detector before digging into bedding or sub-base, and still expect something to be there.

PFP-05Repoint the patio in one passOnce every slab is flat and firm, follow "Re-point patio slabs" across the whole patio so the colour and finish match everywhere. Work in sections you can finish in a session, and keep foot traffic off the patio until the pointing has gone off, usually about 24 hours.

3 bag · Patio jointing compound

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1 each · Pointing trowel

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PFP-06Sort the block pavingMove on to "Weed and re-sand block paving" for any driveway or paved side path. This can run alongside the patio work if you have a helper, or sit as its own weekend task. Choose a dry day, since kiln-dried sand needs to go in and brush down properly.

2 bag (25kg) · Kiln-dried jointing sand

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1 each · Weed treatment or membrane strip

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PFP-07Lay or renew the gravel pathUse "Lay a gravel path" for any new or replacement path sections. Check for cables and pipes before digging out the path line, and fit edging along the route first so the gravel has something to sit against. This phase is weather-dependent, so pick a dry forecast and allow a full day per 5-6 metres.

RULES

10 sqm · Weed-suppressant membrane

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1 bulk bag · Sub-base hardcore

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1 bulk bag · Decorative gravel

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KNOW THE RULES

Check for cables and pipes with a detector before digging the path line, and still expect something to be there.

PFP-08Finish with garden edgingFollow "Lay garden edging" to tidy the borders between lawn, beds, paths and patio, tying the whole project together. If getting a straight line means cutting back a hedge or tree root, check it isn't covered by a Tree Preservation Order or in a conservation area first. Between roughly March and August, check carefully for active birds' nests first and leave any you find alone.

RULES

10 m · Edging boards or rolled edging

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10 each · Edging pegs

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KNOW THE RULES

Check for a Tree Preservation Order or conservation area before cutting any tree or hedge. During the main nesting season (roughly March to August), check for active nests - damaging or destroying a nest in use is an offence.

PFP-09Final check and snaggingOnce everything has cured, walk the whole area: confirm pointing is fully set, slabs sit flat, gravel has settled and edging is firm underfoot. Touch up any gaps or loose joints while materials are still to hand. Expect the whole project to run 3-4 weekends depending on the size of the area, with a total cost typically between £300 and £900 depending on size and materials chosen.

1 bag · Spare jointing compound for touch-ups

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KNOW THE RULES

Before you start: Do I need permission for a new driveway or dropped kerb?

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