Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Mortar in sidewalks

I built a sidewalk last year with pavers and am very happy with it for the most part. The only problem I have run across is with the concrete mix I placed in between the pavers and along the sides. I used a mix of portland cement and sand. It seems to be chipping off all over the sidewalk. Is there a better product to use for this? Perhaps something that I dont have to mix with sand.

Are the cracks between the mortar and the pavers or through the mortar joints?

Since you have mortar, I am assuming you have clay or concrete paver units set on a concrete base (technically, a rigid pavement). The othe type of paver installation would be a more heavy duty system such as interlocking concrete pavers vibrated with sand joints over a compacted base (technically a flexible pavement system).

Normally you do not want to use too much cement.- What proportions did you use? Did you use any kind of bond enhancer (latex)?

If the mortar was too wet, it may have shunk.

Additional info will help to pinpoint the problem.

Dick

Im not real suer of the proportions, whatever it said on the bag. There are cracks between the concrete and the pavers, which expected. But there are also cracks through the concrete. It just seems real brittle.

I used a layer of gravel, then sand, then layed the pavers. Mixed the concrete and brushed into seems followed by water. I didnt use any enhancer.

It appears you have a "flexible" base (compacted gravel)) instead of a "rigid" base (poured concrete). Both types of bases are capable of carry very heavy loads.

When you tried to tie all the pavers together, you were trying to make a rigid surface, which is not compatible with a flexible base. It only takes a minute movement in the soil to crack a thin mortar joint since concrete has a low compressive strength. This movement could be from frost, soil expansion due to moisture or just minor settlement.

You did not mention what type (clay or concrete) and size (width and thickness) of pavers you have. Also how wide the joints are.

Depending on the surface, you could live with it to see how far it goes or you could tear it out and re-set with pavers compatible with the base you have.

Repairing what is in place is not a feasible long term fix since you will still have a paver surface that is not compatible with the base.

Dick