[bricknblock]

I have recently been installing several flagstone walkways/patios using mortared joints, but haven't developed a technique for filling the joints in with mortar yet...up to this point I have been mixing the mortar, then putting it in the joints by hand...it seems to create a mess, and more work than what I should be doing, not to mention the grey film that is left behind once everything dries...I've been thinking about sweeping in the mortar dry, then applying a light mist to wet the mortar down instead...anybody use this method? what seems to work best for everyone else? thanks in advance

[Stonehenge]

When you say "by hand", what exactly do you mean? The frosting bag method?

We use a pointing gun (run a search here and you'll find a link to buy one).

You could use a trowel and some pointing tools, too.

[bricknblock]

thanks for the reply Stonehenge, by hand I mean with a trowel, and tucking...if this is the way to go, then maybe I just need to work on technique, but I was hoping to hear some feedback about sweeping it in dry and then applying the mist to moisten....is this a bad idea?

[NCSULandscaper]

i like the frosting bags personally

[Lanelle]

We also use the grout bags.
After the grout is dry, we do an acid wash to remove the haze and any excess grout.

[jon korevec]

Grout bags are what we use.......then use a pointing tool or trowel to remove the excess, after that rub the area with a piece of burlap. You may find you don't want/need to acid wash.
Jon