Limestone detiorating ?

[Ttt1601]

this supplier was having none of it that there could be any chance it was his stone at faul.t i think this one is going to end up being put back on the customer, i have offered to replace the 8 stone free labour if necessary just as a courtesy but would like have it be as a favour rather than me fixing work, ive got a good rep in that village and i want to keep it. ive also suggested a full strip back and reseal of the whole floor then only use what i tell them this time to clean it!!

 

[Lithofin BOB]

You can strip one stone to determine if this is a failing/ whitening sealer due to incorect maintenance,
What sealer did you use , impregnator or topical ?
Did you mix out the stones when you laid them or take them as they come from the pallet
Is this damage near a possible leak area, sink ,washing machine, check pipes in cupboards if so.

 

[Ttt1601]

Hello Bob the dlsealer was one the stone supplier supplied, when I spoke to he brought the dealer to which I said it was their stuff normally I use lithofin, he just oh right well its basically the same stuff just rebranded so I have no real idea of the quality but basically it was stain stop that has been used by the sound of his comment, I'm going to have a look on my lunch break I think if I can see it with my own eyes it may give a clearer picture as to what is going on. What would be best to use to strip one back? And yes they were mixed I had a Labourer on site pre sealing and shuffling them , well was supposed to shuffle them can't promise as I wasn't watching him tho

 

[Ttt1601]

Hello @Lithofin BOB just been to have a look, no real signs of a leak the area that this is showing up in is the area between island and other worktop so highest traffic area, grout has also discoloured here too it all looks grubby if you know what I mean, had a feel in where the little cracks are and no resin is present, but resin is present in other stones in different areas, would stripping back buffing then some kind of waxy type sealer fill these in and hold up if properly maintained?

 

[Lithofin BOB]

we have wax off or use a specific stone stripper; if this is a high traffic area is there just grease and grimes into the open pores of this stone ,which is highlighting these shapes. poss test one stone with the stripping agent and then further wash with an alkaline cleaning product . you will need for these to fully dry and re apply the sealer. possible that a wax could be used, but it will not bind that well and your client will be left with a shine on the floor
when your guy had impregnated the stone ,did it appear more shiny than without the impregnator.

 

[Ttt1601]

not shiny no, slightly darker it is a tumbled stone, but has had some sort of polish or hone on it as 98% of the surface each is smooth like honed and filled it just the edge and a couple of pit/ veins that have any kind of texture to them, think i will try and strip, buff them reseal, but will test first on a stone and talk to the customer, cheers bob will report back when ive had a play round with spare stone

 

[Blunt Tool]

Do you have a set of diamond pads? You could buff them down to clean again, then wheat colour stone fill pock marks and cracks, buff down again when dry then diamond polish back again then reseal! That's what I would do

 

[Ttt1601]

yea was thinking something similar, but want to try other options first as the supplier isnt going to pay towards anything, and the customer really doesnt want to cover cost i can tell, and i dont mind doing a bit of work free ( as its a small village full of money and it only makes me look good lol) to see if things work before it comes to that level of work and i want to be paid for it, but will have to speak to the customer again. what diamond pads to you use @callatiler ?

 

[Blunt Tool]

yea was thinking something similar, but want to try other options first as the supplier isnt going to pay towards anything, and the customer really doesnt want to cover cost i can tell, and i dont mind doing a bit of work free ( as its a small village full of money and it only makes me look good lol) to see if things work before it comes to that level of work and i want to be paid for it, but will have to speak to the customer again. what diamond pads to you use @callatiler ?

Speak to @ATSDiamondTools, if you are doing a lot of stone installations you would be best to get full wet set either hand or machine, 50 grit upwards to 10000 polish

 

[Ttt1601]

ive got hand pads just not machine pads, i dont usually use ats, but will give them a go if it comes to buffing these back fully, sod that by hand lol cheeers mate