Limestone paving sealing/cleaning advice please! - TilersForums.com

[FoxyBrighton]

Hi, I had a limestone front path laid 3 weeks ago by a guy who had done some general landscaping for us. The slabs are a darkish grey colour, similar to slate. They are untreated as I didn't know about treating it and only found out about this when I started looking for advice online regarding cleaning them. The slabs are already looking quite dirty and there are some paleish powdery looking marks in places. So how should I wash them with and what do I seal them with please, there are so many products online, my head is spinning! I like the dark look of the slabs when it has rained but prefer a matt finish. I know now they should probably have been sealed or treated in some way straight away, but better late than never! My landscaper is on holiday or I would have asked him to sort this out. He has done a lot of paving before but more sandstone than limestone I think. Any advice gratefully received, many thanks, Vanessa

 

[DHTiling]

Any pics of this please, just to see the extent of the marks etc...? there might be more to do than simply clean and seal.

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks Dave, I will take a photo tomorrow if I get a chance. How do I upload it?

 

[DHTiling]

You will need to register, then use the attachment feature.

 

[FoxyBrighton]

Great thanks, will take a pic tomorrow if it's dry- we live in hope!

 

[DHTiling]

Look forward to them, just need to clarify the stone and the marks.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[FoxyBrighton]

Dave,I have taken some photos on my iPad but I can't seem to upload them to the website from the iPad grrrrr bloomin' technology! I haven't got access to a pc at the moment so will have to wait. Marks look like chalky water has been thrown over the slabs. I don't think it will go away with cleaning,I tried with some water and a broom and it's still the same.

 

[FoxyBrighton]

OK, I have put the photos in a photo album Facebook,this link will either work or not! If not my names Vanessa Leachman, there's only one of me on FB!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150384313902244.410569.666377243

 

[DHTiling]

Say's currently unavailable..

Send them to me HERE

 

[FoxyBrighton]

Thanks I have sent them, let me know if you have any problems receiving them. One shows the slabs wet as I thought it might help determine the type of limestone.I think it's just natural limestone but don't know if you would call it blue or black in the trade. Cheers,
Vanessa

 

[DHTiling]

Hi Vanessa, yes i got hem and replied.. it is Indian black limestone and those are cement stains.. bit not the worst i have seen.. try the method i suggested and then see if that works, you have to be careful what cleaner you use with it being a limestone.. but they are not that heavy marked so with luck they just might come clean..
for every one else here are the pics..

 

[FoxyBrighton]

Hi Dave, thanks for the advice I really appreciate it. I just googled LTP Grimex in order to purchase some and one of the top results was a post from this forum about restoring some old tiles and you have said Grimex is not suitable for black limestone and someone else on the thread said it's no good for cement stains. Just want to double check this will be the best product,thanks.
http://www.tilersforums.com/tile-cleaning-restoration/37878-ltp-grimex.html

 

[DHTiling]

It is suitable for limestone... not many cleaners are suitable for this type of stone.. i suggested Grimex as IMO the residue is very light and worth trying this first.. hence suggesting to use it on one small area first...

You really have to be careful what you use to clean them..

Then to get them darker colour that you like then a suitable colour enhancer will do that..