Slate patio, ugly as Hell. Can anything be done?

Question

I have an ugly old slate patio in the back. The cement between the slate flags is gross, old, weathered and cracked in places. The slate flags look gross. Is there anything I can do (paint, etc.) to make it look better. Don't tell me to rip it up or replace it. Like I didn't already think of that one, you nimrod!!!!

What kind of stain!!?!! Details man! What can make it look nicey-nice!! How can I scrape the grout out!!

Answer 1

Don't paint over it. If you do, when the paint starts to chip it will look 10 times worse than it does. If you can, have the cement repaired.

Answer 2

If the slate isn't loose you can (and I know this is a lot of work) scrape or chip out the mortar between the flags. Clean the stones with bleach and a pressure washer, let dry. Then replace the mortar using a mason's bag (looks like those things a cake decorator uses, just much bigger).

Answer 3

get a gallon or 2 of clorox bleach and pour over entire surface and brush or sweep it around a bit ,let set for about 20 minutes and spray off with high pressure water hose, let dry completely then get a bag of mortar cement mix and sprinkle all over area and sweep into cracks and joints then lightly sprinkle water over entire surface, just enough to get the morter mix to set in cracks and joints, when dry sweep off left over morter mix.

Answer 4

JO-MAX / LYE & CLOROX TO GET OFF ALL THE BLACK & ALGE (STIFF BRUSS & ELBOW GREASE). YOU MAY WANT TO COMPLETELY CUT/GRIND OUT THE GROUT IN JOINTS & REPLACE/RE-GROUT. IF YOU HAVE WHITE STAINS (EFLORESENCE) A MILD ACID WASH IS IN ORDER. RE- GROUT & SEAL WITH A GOOD EXTERIOR STAIN. SHOULD LOOK LIKE NEW.

Answer 5

This is a stain that should work. http://acidstainsolutions.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/index.html

You can order videos that show you how to do this process. Explore this website for pictures and ideas.