How can I point these flags...and what with?

[Tom]

Following a slight clean up (well overdue!), it's come to light that we need to fill in the gaps between the flags on the floor. However, the gaps are very small so I'm unsure how to do this and I'm not sure what to use. The floor is breathable (LECA / Limecrete with wet UFH) but, as yet, the flags are untreated. I had planned to treat them with Holkham's Linseed Oil, as recommended on here.

My builder suggested brushing a dry mix of sand and Lime 3:1 over the floor until the gaps were filled, then water the lot and leave to go off. This makes sense but I'm worried that dry Lime will stain the flags. Likewise, I'm worried that a wet mix will stain them, although I can't see how we'd even get a wet mix in the gaps.

is there a way I can fill these gaps before I oil the floor or would it be better to oil the floor first...but then what?

Here's what we're dealing with....

 

[Flyfisher]

Could you try a wet mix in a hidden area somewhere to see if it does stain the flags?

If it doesn't then you might be able to apply such a mix as a wet grout, using a sponge and plenty of water to remove the mix from the flags before it sets.

 

[LadyArowana]

Likewise, I'm worried that a wet mix will stain them, although I can't see how we'd even get a wet mix in the gaps.

Could you get one of those cake decorating contraptions and fill the bag with your mix ?

 

[Tom]

Likewise, I'm worried that a wet mix will stain them, although I can't see how we'd even get a wet mix in the gaps.

Could you get one of those cake decorating contraptions and fill the bag with your mix ?

Now there's a good idea! As ever, it's going to be one that takes a long, long time but since this house is a true labour of love it seems very appropriate :roll: Thanks, LadyArowana

Any ideas for a quicker way before my knees start complaining at the thought?? :shock:

 

[MdB]

This is very much just an idea and isn't something I've done so probably isn't a good idea.

Make a wet mix of the finest silver sand you can get hold of 1:1 with lime. Fill gaps using a tile squeegee and then sponge off the excess. This has to be done lots of times without removing to much grout. Next day, wash off again. Any remaining stains wear off with your shoes over the following year....

 

[fjpdesigns]

If you want a really fine sand then try Jewson's kiln dried sand.

 

[Flyfisher]

Any ideas for a quicker way before my knees start complaining at the thought?? :shock:

You could try something like these. They won't make things any faster but might make things more comfortable.

 

[Tom]

Any ideas for a quicker way before my knees start complaining at the thought?? :shock:

You could try something like these. They won't make things any faster but might make things more comfortable.

I already have some similar to those but it's having my knees bent for a long time that's the problem...age related and self-induced (running) :roll:

 

[robgil]

have a look here

http://www.tradetiler.com/acatalog/Grout_Application_.html

and here

http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/tile-adhesive-grout-substrate-preparation/29015-grout-applicator.html

i would use the gun my self , takes longer but less to clean up afterwards which i think would be much less hassle.you could use a cushion or pillow for your knees.

 

[Moo]

If you let nature take its course, the gaps will fill themselves.

You could then apply the linseed treatment and it would all look pleasantly authentic (and your knees would thank you for it).

 

[Tom]

@ Robgil....I like the look of the gun. Thanks for the link

@ Moo....Nature had already taken its course, what with us all in and out all the time, and the gaps had filled up nicely (with all sorts of cr@p). So much so that I'd forgotten they existed. I realised they were still there when we started sweeping and hoovering the floor :shock: OH insisted the gaps were cleaned out and 'done properly' :roll: I'd have left them, if it was up to me :lol: If I had left them, would the oil have kept all the accumulated muck in there or would it have still come out when the floor was swept/hoovered?

 

[CatherineB]

Oooh no, don't leave the gaps! We have a pine floor with gaps in our dining room (not period, or even attractive, sadly) and the accumulation of food and other detritus from small children is disgusting...

Those gel knee pads, though - boy, you really can buy anything nowadays, can't you?!

 

[Tom]

Oooh no, don't leave the gaps! We have a pine floor with gaps in our dining room (not period, or even attractive, sadly) and the accumulation of food and other detritus from small children is disgusting

Fortunately, I don't have small children now...just me, hubby, dogs and cats in and out with dirt and mud One of the ponies used to come in, too, before we altered the doorway :lol: It did look rather nice and, like Moo said, authentic before we cleaned out the gaps. I suppose I could leave them to fill up again......it won't take long :roll:

 

[JoceAndChris]

We had just the same problem here. Chris wanted me to fill them but as that Georgian diamond flagged floor is my most favourite thing in the house I decided not to let my untutored gap filling and colour matching skills loose on them! In places the gaps are 3 cm, in places just 2 mm. I didn't use the Holkam linseed oil treatment, I used the Liberon system of three coats of oil (sealer) followed by twice yearly waxings with their stone floor wax. The result's lovely, and the gaps are slowly getting filled with dirt held in place by wax. I dont allow outside shoes on it though- unless visitors.

 

[Tom]

Joce, I like the sound of what you've done but I wonder whether, when our UFH is on, if the wax and muck filler would become a bit gooey and make sweeping the floor impossible because the bristles would just flick out melted wax. I suspect that I'm going to be better off pointing it with lime and sand, which is a shame because I love the sound of your solution :?

 

[MdB]

Joce, I like the sound of what you've done but I wonder whether, when our UFH is on, if the wax and muck filler would become a bit gooey and make sweeping the floor impossible because the bristles would just flick out melted wax. I suspect that I'm going to be better off pointing it with lime and sand, which is a shame because I love the sound of your solution :?

It might go a little bit soft but the wax won't melt unless you have the heating turned way up. Our floor surface temperature is 25°C I think.

 

[Tom]

MdB, at that temperature, does the wax stay relatively hard then? Enough to sweep over or hoover?

 

[JoceAndChris]

Your underfloor heating sounds so snuggly!

I wonder what would happen to a wax finish at that temperature? Hmm, if I think about my waxed chairs in the hot sun - nothing at all.

Pointing it properly does sound like the way to go but unless you are very delicate and neat with it it could end up a mess - I know mine would. I'd get the professionals in! ( but as you've done SO much yourself, I don't see why this would defeat you!) Practise that icing!

 

[Tom]

I'd get the professionals in!

Nah, I'd much rather have the pleasure of doing it myself. I don't mind doing it. Now, I'm just worried about (a) staining the flags and (b) ending up with a gloopy mess. Although what you say about waxed chairs in the sun makes sense. I suppose I'm thinking too much about the wax I'm using now on the beams; carried in Turps and warmed up on the Rayburn to make it easier to brush on. Of course, it's not at all the same when it's dry and cool. Maybe waxing the gaps would be ok after all...and a damned sight easier. In fact, I could melt the wax, pour it in and leave to set. What do you think?

 

[JoceAndChris]

You'll see how it looks when you come here. The advantage is that it's not permanent - you could brush it all out with a scrubbing brush if you didn't like it. It doesn't look as smart as a properly pointed flagstone floor - but like you I was just too worried (and even more worried about the potential damage to the flagstones of raking out the old, broken pointing)