Black limestone questions! - Tile Advice

[Elmocat]

We have just laid an outdoor patio and path using black limestone (now wishing I’d perhaps looked in this forum first)!

It hasn’t yet been sealed or grouted, but is already extremely dirty with cement residue etc etc.

1. Recommendations for a suitable cleaner (I know we can’t use anything acid based).
2. When to seal, and what to use? Person who supplied tiles suggest waiting for 3 months to seal, but tbh they’re looking so filthy that I’m reluctant to do that. I’ve seen discussions around salt//effervescence but wondered if this could be avoided by using an impregnating sealer? Could we then use a back to black product as well?
3. Our paver was going to grout tomorrow, but I’m now wondering whether grouting needs to wait until they’ve been sealed??

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[TileDoctor]

Hi Elmocat, your absolutley right about not using an acid cleaner, we see this happen so many times where a builder uses brick acid on Limstone and it drains the life out of the stone. You need to use an alkaline cleaner like Pro-Clean and then seal with an Oil Based sealer like X-Tra Seal which will deepen the black colours.

 

[Elmocat]

Thank you - very helpful