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How to repair paving

Although concrete is very hard-wearing, you might sometimes find that you need to repair your paving, paths or steps. A section of paving or even a single slab might sink because of small ground movements or heavy use, and this can make rainwater collects in puddles. Find out how best to repair damaged paving.

If a slab has sunk or been damaged, it's quite easy to lift and either re-lay or replace it.

Top tip - Slab sizes

There's a slight difference in size between older concrete slabs (which come in imperial sizes,) and new metric ones, which are a fraction smaller. If you have to replace an old slab, see if you can take one from somewhere else on the patio (such as from a position against a wall) and use that to replace the broken one. You could fit the mismatched slab against the wall, where it'll stand out less - or fill the gap with earth and plants.

Safety first - Look after your back

Don't risk hurting yourself. If you're laying slabs of 600mm x 600mm or larger, ask someone to help you lift and lay them.

Person wearing gloves using a club hammer to hit a chisel and remove the pointing around a paving slab.Person wearing gloves using a club hammer to hit a chisel and remove the pointing around a paving slab.Person wearing gloves using a club hammer to hit a chisel and remove the pointing around a paving slab.Person wearing gloves using a club hammer to hit a chisel and remove the pointing around a paving slab.

1. Remove the pointing

Making sure you're wearing safety goggles and heavy-duty gloves, chip out the pointing around the slab with a plugging chisel and club hammer.

Using a shovel to lift a paving slab from a patio. Shovel is sat on a piece of wood to protect the slab underneath.Using a shovel to lift a paving slab from a patio. Shovel is sat on a piece of wood to protect the slab underneath.Using a shovel to lift a paving slab from a patio. Shovel is sat on a piece of wood to protect the slab underneath.Using a shovel to lift a paving slab from a patio. Shovel is sat on a piece of wood to protect the slab underneath.

2. Lift and remove the slab

Lift the slab with a spade, using a timber off-cut to protect the slab next to it. Insert a broom handle under the slab and roll it out of the way.

Person wearing gloves using a chisel to break up the old mortar underneath a paving slab.Person wearing gloves using a chisel to break up the old mortar underneath a paving slab.Person wearing gloves using a chisel to break up the old mortar underneath a paving slab.Person wearing gloves using a chisel to break up the old mortar underneath a paving slab.

3. Remove the old mortar

Break up and remove the old mortar using a bolster chisel and club hammer. If the slab has been laid on sand, use a piece of timber to level it and add more sand if you need to.

Person hitting a block of wood sat on top of a paving slab with a hammer to press it into position.Person hitting a block of wood sat on top of a paving slab with a hammer to press it into position.Person hitting a block of wood sat on top of a paving slab with a hammer to press it into position.Person hitting a block of wood sat on top of a paving slab with a hammer to press it into position.

4. Relay the slab

If the slab has been laid on mortar, wet the back and lay it (or a new slab) in position on a fresh bed of mortar mixed with four parts sharp sand to one part cement. Make sure it's in line with the surrounding slabs. Then use a timber off-cut and the club hammer to press the slab into position, and fill the joints with dry mortar.