Indian sandstone efflorescence - Clean indian sandstone

[236dave]

Hi, can anyone help?

I had a new patio fitted last September, and applied a sealer after about 3 weeks. I seem to have sealed in the Efflorescence. Brushing with soapy water does not fix it.

Can you suggest a way to fix this?

See link for pics, (sealer was sourced from Germany, hence the foreign language on the label).

https://plus.google.com/photos/106925409774433795880

Help / advice is much appreciated.
Thanks
Dave

[DempseyLiverpool]

Thats no efflorescence Dave its appalling cement staining from pointing !!!

[236dave]

Thats no efflorescence Dave its appalling cement staining from pointing !!!

Hi Dempsey,
Thanks for putting me straight, its cement stains.
(Don't know how to alter the thread title)

Any ideas on how to get rid of these stains?
btw - I live in Huyton, not far from you I see.

Cheers
Dave

[lutonlagerlout]

rgr that,as Ashley says its a very bad pointing job
LLL

[DempseyLiverpool]

One of the cleaning specialists will advise you better on any remedial work.

In my opinion the whole lot would have to go and start from scratch, obviously not what you want to hear but it really is as poor as it gets.

Sealing wise you either buy your stone pre-sealed or leave it until the summer months.

[RAPressureWashing]

Just looked the photos and have to agree with the previous replies, is that the sealer you have used in one of the photos? as it just looks like Lithofin, if it is, why source it from Germany!!! as you can buy it on line or most BM's over here.
Anyway, the sealer will have to be stripped off, pointing mess sorted, cleaned up then re-sealed, it's going to be expensive I'm afraid.

[236dave]

Just looked the photos and have to agree with the previous replies, is that the sealer you have used in one of the photos? as it just looks like Lithofin, if it is, why source it from Germany!!! as you can buy it on line or most BM's over here.
Anyway, the sealer will have to be stripped off, pointing mess sorted, cleaned up then re-sealed, it's going to be expensive I'm afraid.

ok, there is about 15-20 sq meters to sort out, what kind of cost are we looking at?

[RAPressureWashing]

you'd be looking at £25-£30 per square meter for removing the sealer, cleaning & re-seal, then plus the cost to sort out the pointing mess. Why did you or let someone else seal over a poor pointing job?