re-pointing paving slabs

[Booldawg]

Would a mixture of sand and cement be OK to re-point patio paving slabs? Also what ratio mix should I use? TIA.

[gazzawazza]

Top website here http://www.pavingexpert.com/pointing.htm#point for all your paving queries. Sand and cement will be ok but is VERY time consuming and difficult to do PROPERLY and cleanly unless you're really handy with a trowel (I mean packing the joint fully).
I would use GeoTex or Wickes' own make of the stuff.

[Wak]

I used to mix the cement, sand, etc on the paving flags, sweep it down the cracks with a brush and then apply the water with a watering can.
It did the job and saved getting cement all over the top of the flags.
If it settles down too far just repeat the operation.

[AlBags]

That's a cheap and crap way of doing it .. mastered by 1980's builders for time saving.
Point in by hand into well raked out old joints or new slabs.
Easy with the correct trowel!

[bluetoon]

as albags says do a 3sand 1cement mix but dont make it to wet. mix so when you pick up a hanfull it just binds together/as you point up have a soft brush to sweep of any excess as you go along. once swept go over wih trowel again just to finish off. that way you wont stain your slabs and make it look like a proper job

[Booldawg]

I got round to doing this on Saturday and used the 3-1 mix with a little bit of fairy liquid (a tip I picked up off the net).

It went quite well but wouldve been better if I had a straight bit wood to use as a runner along the edge of the slabs as it was too easy to trowel the mix onto the adjacent edge rather than in the gap.

Oh well, job done and thanks to all who answered.