Slate walkways are a beautiful alternative traditional concrete paths. However weather and accidents can both cause damage over time, creating a slate walkway with cracks or slate that has popped off the base completely. Luckily you can fix most of these problems very quickly due to the nature of most slate walkways.
Step 1: Walk along the slate walkway carefully, marking each problem area using a piece of chalk. Look for pieces of slate that are higher than the surrounding area, cracked bits of slate, and other problems.
Step 2: Remove any slate pieces that are much higher than the surrounding pieces of stone. Use a trowel to remove some of the sand from underneath the slate. Tamp down the rest of the sand, then place the slate back into place. Continue removing sand until the slate is level with the rest of the walkway.
Step 3: Remove any slate pieces that are lower than the surrounding stones. Add a small layer of sand to the footprint of the stone and tamp it down carefully. Place the slate stone over the sand. If needed, remove the stone and add more sand until the slate will be level with the walkway.
TIP: You can purchase sand suitable for this project at any home improvement center.
Step 4: Pry up any slate that has been cracked by the elements. Use the piece you removed to find a match for the approximate footprint of the old piece. Tamp down the sand underneath the slate, adding more sand as necessary before putting the new piece of slate into place.
Step 5: Tap all of the pieces of slate you had to remove with a rubber mallet to make sure that they are firmly set into place.
Step 6: Sprinkle sand over the surface of the slate and brush it from the slate and into the cracks around each piece of stone in the walkway using a push broom. Lightly moisten the sand with a garden hose once all the sand has been removed from the surface of the slate and is packed into the cracks.
