A WOMAN has revealed how she transformed her patio without breaking the bank.
So if your outside haven could do with some TLC this summer, but you’re on a budget and are looking for a cheap and cheerful option, then you’ve come to the right place.
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Sera, a DIY fan from the UK took to social media to share how she gave her grubby patio a mega makeover, leaving many open-mouthed.
Rather than forking out the cash on new patio tiles, Sera simply used some paint to give them a fresh new feel.
She advised: “Paint with two coats of masonry paint.”
Sera confirmed that she used the Sandtex Ultra Smooth Masonry Paint, in the shade Cornish Cream, to give her patio slabs a freshen up.
If you want to give this a try, you can nab masonry paint for as little as £10 from B&Q.
After she gave her tiles a lick of fresh paint, Sera then used setting sand as grout.
Sera used the Sika Paving joint filler setting sand, which is suitable for all types of block paving and resists wind, weeds and ants.
You can nab the setting sand from Wickes, but can also find cheaper alternatives from B&Q.
Sera brushed the sand, which once cured, will not wash out, into the gaps of the patio.
Following this, she confirmed: “Wet the sand and leave to set.”
Sera then showed off her finished patio – which has been transformed from dark and grubby, to light and bright.
We think Sera’s patio looks fabulous and thanks to her cheap tips, was done on a budget.
BIG DIVIDE
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @wisteria.house_, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up a whopping 688,300 views.
But social media users were left totally divided by Sera’s patio overhaul – whilst some thought it looked ‘great’, not everyone was as impressed.
So much better
TikTok user
One person said: “Looks great.”
Another beamed: “Love it.”
A third commented: “Looks so cute.”
You will regret painting that. You will have to do it every year to keep it looking good
TikTok user
Whilst someone else praised: “So much better.”
However, at the same time, not everyone was as complimentary on Sera’s decision to use paint on her patio slabs.
One user wrote: “As a decorator, please don’t use masonry paint on a floor that’s high traffic, it just won’t last and that’s a fact.”
How to repair broken patio slabs
THE paving specialists at Simply Paving told Fabulous how you can repair broken patio slabs, without the faff.
The experts advised: “If you have a loose paving slab, then it’s unlikely it can be lifted straight by hand. Instead, you will probably need a hammer and chisel to prise the paver free of your patio.
“To remove loose paving slabs without damaging your flagstones, carefully chip away at the mortar around the paving slab with the plugging chisel and rubber mallet until the slab comes completely loose.
“Then, slide the spade into the gap left by the mortar and prise the paver free of the patio.
“As you lift it up, place a short piece of timber underneath the spade to act as a lever, making it easier for you while protecting the slab underneath.
“When the paver starts to give, place the cylindrical wood underneath it and roll the slab out of the patio.”
A second added: “You will regret painting that. You will have to do it every year to keep it looking good. But the more paint you add the thicker it will get.”
One DIY enthusiast begged: “No no no no don’t paint stone.”
Meanwhile, another TikTok user slammed: “Paint will wear and get thinner patches, then look grubby.”
To this, Sera replied and wrote: “I did this a year ago and it still looks great but I imagine with time it will need touching up. But that’s just the same as painting anything.”
Sera also confirmed: “I jet washed it this year and it still looks great.
“It’s lasted over a year, so I’m happy with it.”