Limestone sealing

[SlateHarry]

Hi All,

Have been doing some research recently after my limestone patio was laid. It was put down mid June this year, now its been down a month or so some of the slabs have gone noticeably greyer/blotchy in areas. Not quite what we were expecting, ideally wanting the 'black look'.

I stumbled over the site and found the page about colour restoration/sealers and the Romex.

Having sourced a few places that sell it, found a reasonable price and was going ahead to purchase. However after speaking to one very helpful lady on the phone - she has informed me that I need to leave the slabs alone for 3 months before sealing due to a process that the name escapes me and something to do with the salt in the bed/slabs?

I've also had a cleaning chap round, although helpful was honest and said he would need to do some research first before recommending products to bring it back to life but and no point did he mention leaving it for this 'process' to occur, quite the opposite, that it should have been sealed before it was laid.

Any info would be greatly appreciated, some info off the experts as to when I should be doing it and any prep required before hand / tips on the application.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

[Tony McC]

The info provided on the Curse of Black Limestone page is the best advice and concurs with what the manufacturer says.

Allow the paving to thoroughly dry, and give it a reasonable period of time (often given as 10-12 weeks) to allow any salts or efflorescence from the bedding and jointing to dissipate.

[London Stone Paving]

The standard advice is to wait 12 weeks but if you use Dry Treat, you can seal it straight away as long as the surface of the stone is dry. Dry Treat does not fill the pores of the stone, it merely coats the edges of them and this is enough to repel any moisture. This allows salts and effloresence to escape in the form of vapour. We've been using this product for years so I'm very confident in it's performance

Steve

[r4vvm]

What sealant did you go for, i have the same its gone all grey and lost colour but want that glossy look

[RAPressureWashing]

I'd leave the paving to weather etc for around the 12 weeks, but this then put's you into September, which might be an okay month for sealing, but usually a damp month, so if I was you, leave it until next year, let the paving go though a couple of seasons, Autumn & Winter, then come next spring, just do a deep clean, allow the paving to dry thoroughly and then seal.
It isn't going to hurt or damage the paving leaving it.

[SlateHarry]

The info provided on the Curse of Black Limestone page is the best advice and concurs with what the manufacturer says.

Allow the paving to thoroughly dry, and give it a reasonable period of time (often given as 10-12 weeks) to allow any salts or efflorescence from the bedding and jointing to dissipate.

Embarrassed to say I missed that after reading that page so many times. Thanks.

The cleaning chap that came round has also said Dry Treat has been highly recommended to him, although is more expensive than the Romex.

Is there much between them? The Romex is cheaper...

[RAPressureWashing]

The info provided on the Curse of Black Limestone page is the best advice and concurs with what the manufacturer says.

Allow the paving to thoroughly dry, and give it a reasonable period of time (often given as 10-12 weeks) to allow any salts or efflorescence from the bedding and jointing to dissipate.

Embarrassed to say I missed that after reading that page so many times. Thanks.

The cleaning chap that came round has also said Dry Treat has been highly recommended to him, although is more expensive than the Romex.

Is there much between them? The Romex is cheaper...

Sorry but someone saying the that X product has been recommend to them so it must be ok? who recommended it? have they used the product? do they know what that are looking for when using X product?
This isn't a dig at any products, more a dig at people believing what they hear from so called experts.

[Tony McC]

The number of times I hear, "my mate down the pub said......" - it's almost always the prelude to a tale of woe and wastefullness.

[Tony McC]

Sorry - never answered the question: Romex Seal and Dry Treat will give you two very different results. you have to decide which you prefer.



Edited By Tony McC on 1471169722

[SlateHarry]

The info provided on the Curse of Black Limestone page is the best advice and concurs with what the manufacturer says.

Allow the paving to thoroughly dry, and give it a reasonable period of time (often given as 10-12 weeks) to allow any salts or efflorescence from the bedding and jointing to dissipate.

Embarrassed to say I missed that after reading that page so many times. Thanks.

The cleaning chap that came round has also said Dry Treat has been highly recommended to him, although is more expensive than the Romex.

Is there much between them? The Romex is cheaper...

Sorry but someone saying the that X product has been recommend to them so it must be ok? who recommended it? have they used the product? do they know what that are looking for when using X product?
This isn't a dig at any products, more a dig at people believing what they hear from so called experts.

The chap used his contacts within the industry to recommend a product to me. He has stated personally he has limited experience in this particular area, in an aid to help me came back with a recommendation from people who have. Obviously I'm here so do my own research from input from people like yourselves with experience.

What result can I expect from the Dry Treat?

Thanks for the input so far.

[RAPressureWashing]

Embarrassed to say I missed that after reading that page so many times. Thanks.

The cleaning chap that came round has also said Dry Treat has been highly recommended to him, although is more expensive than the Romex.

Is there much between them? The Romex is cheaper...

Sorry but someone saying the that X product has been recommend to them so it must be ok? who recommended it? have they used the product? do they know what that are looking for when using X product?
This isn't a dig at any products, more a dig at people believing what they hear from so called experts.

The chap used his contacts within the industry to recommend a product to me. He has stated personally he has limited experience in this particular area, in an aid to help me came back with a recommendation from people who have. Obviously I'm here so do my own research from input from people like yourselves with experience.

What result can I expect from the Dry Treat?

Thanks for the input so far.

On all the Black Limestone we clean and restore we use Miracle 511 enhance and seal as it's the one I prefer.
Dry Treat is also a very good product, haven't used the Romex, but have had to strip a few where it had failed, maybe not so much the product more how it was applied.
Couple of other that are decent for Limestone, Lithofin MN Stain Stop plus, and I have also tested Resiblock's Indian Sandstone sealer (colour enhancing) and got good results.