Resiblock efflorescence. - Resiblock efflorescence.

[ajw]

hi tony i have a bit of a problem, i sealed a back blockpaving patio with superior and it looked great. the blocks were dry and the joints were dry before i brushed the sand in. it was jet washed around 5 or 6 weeks before i sealed incase any efflorescence occured. i took photos of the job as it was so good. now i have found out that a few of the blocks have gone white. is this efflorescence under the sealant? this should not happen. what else could it be.? i also did another job and the superior looks really patchy. i must have put too much on in certain areas. im only learning really! im lucky the customers have not complained yet> the problem is the second coat of superior. its hard to see where you have done as you go along. i think resiblock 22 would be an ideal option for ease of application on domestic drives / patios. help please?????????????

[Tony McC]

It sounds as though it could only be efflorescence - it's a pity you didn't post any photies.

The key to success with these sealants is to get the first coat applied as evenly as possible, with no pools and no excess in the chamfers of the blocks, and then the second coat will look much better.

I saw a selant a week or so ago that contains a magic 'tint' which gradually fades as the jollop cures. This helps you see which bits have been re-coated, and that they've been re-coated evenly. A couple or three hours after application, the tint has completely disappeared, leaving the required transparent look. Sounds like a winner to me, but no info on the cost, as yet.

[Essex-Surface-Cleaners]

Whats the name of the "Magic Tint" Tony?
Sounds like i`d like to give that ago, using Superior at the moment on all jobs. I have to say that personally 1 coat of Superior always looks good to me, but when the 2nd`s applied and dried the sheen always looks OTT to me, with people saying "has it rained" !!

[mouldmaker]

It's also an unfortunate fact that pressure washing can promote efflorescence.

[Tony McC]

I'm not sure if I can reveal the name of the tint just yet - I'll have to check.

[Essex-Surface-Cleaners]

ajw - How did you get on with your efflorescence? I know you were worried about the customer?

Also i coated my own paving with Superior last week, single coat looks great, but one section i done the recommended two coats, the paving is around 10ft from a swimming pool, and access to the house is via the 2 coated path.

It may look nice, but its like a bloody ice skating ring when wet! - Something maybe to remember

[mouldmaker]

Did I read somewhere about sprinkling a little fine sand into the sealant in wet areas to give some grip? (Don't quote me!) Slippery pool surrounds sounds like a recipe for disaster.

[Tony McC]

Certain suppliers are selling what they refer to as 'Traction Enhancer' or "Mega-Grip" (not actually that name, but something similar that I don't want to publish) which is sprinkled over a freshly selaed srface to reduce the risk of slipping. Yes: you've guessed: it's sand! Expensive sand - expensive sand with a silly name, but it's simply a clean, angular quartz sand.