Removing poorly applied sealant

All forms of block paving, brick paving, flexible or rigid, concrete or clays, new construction or renovation
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Brian_Henderson
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Aug 19, 2006 1:48 pm
Location: Scotland

Post: # 13532Post Brian_Henderson

We had our drive done in block paving by a firm recommended to us, but who proved, in reality to be a liability. One of the problems we are left with is that the drive was sealed (with an unknown sealant) on the day the last block was laid, and just as a heavy rain shower appeared. This has sealed in efflorescence in about 70-80 bricks, scattered across the area.

Is there any way of removing the sealant? I assume, given everything else about the work done, that the sealant will have been fairly cheap and, again, on this basis, is probably only a single coat.

Any help gratefully received.

Best wishes

Brian

geoffdance
Posts: 16
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:16 pm
Location: haverhill

Post: # 14830Post geoffdance

Hi Brian,

yes, but its a bitch of a job. you need to use plenty of rags and the solvent for the sealant (probably xylene). Then just soften the sealant and wipe off. Again and again and again.

But......is it really efflorescence or did the sealant react with the rain? Is it white spots? If it appeared straight after the rain then it is a reaction wi the water. This can be fixed more easily.

Geoff

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