Mystery markings conundrum... - .. a "whatdunnit" for flags

[Pablo]

I no wot u mean

[lutonlagerlout]

the pointing/grouting looks a bit odd?
is it possible that a cat or summat has done his business in the sand?
i know i have laid flags before and you come to a batch and its like "omg its stinks" where a cat has had a 2 bob bit in the sand and the mixerman hasnt spotted it
maybe the ammonia in this reacted
when you eliminate the impossible ,whatever is left ,however improbable is the favourite
cheers LLL ???

[Tony McC]

The pointing is just a crap sand/cement mix fed into the joints and struck. It's a poor colour choice, and a rough job, but unlikely to be the cause of the problem, as the flags used as copings have no pointing anywhere near them.

[matt h]

something has to have been spilt/poured on the surface surely to cause this reaction. there doesny seem to be any other logigal solution

[TheVictorianCobbleCo]

When the product arrived on site, was it stored for a while with some sort of covering (plastic/tarpaulin) over, and possibly in an area where some of the pavers could have stood in a puddle for a period of time? (I'm assuming stacked of vertical against a shed wall, or similar). Also, could they have placed a board or 2 between some of the slabs to protect the faces?

[TheVictorianCobbleCo]

Sorry Tony I'm like a dog with a bone when it comes to puzzles like this. Have you any definitive answers yet?

[Tony McC]

Maybe. I've had a rake of suggestions by email, and even a couple of phone calls, and as soon as I get a moment, I'm going to sort them all out and see what's what.

The manufacturer may want to comment, too.

More after the weekend, hopefully.

[TheVictorianCobbleCo]

Anything new here?

[Tony McC]

Funnily enough, I had an email from the manufacturer just last week. They have never been able to definitely identify the cause of the problem, despite all the advice and suggestions that were offered here in The Brew Cabin and by email. Meanwhile, the client has been putting enormous pressure onto the manufacturer (because the contractor has skedaddled and left the manufacturer to shoulder all the responsibility) and in order to put an end to the case, an ex gratia payment of several thousand pounds has been made, much to the chagrin of the aforesaid manufacturer, who remains convinced it is not solely their product at fault, but something used by the long-vanished contractor. However, the manufacturer values their reputation and has decided to 'pay up' just to bring matters to a close.

[Suzy R Sopham]

I was surprised to see this post as I was just going to ask about similar stains.

We've just finished our patio using Truslate Blue. All was well until it got 'well used' (quite a lot of foot traffic) over the weekend and now we have similar stains.

I have tried cleaning them with soapy water etc. but with no luck.

I was going to add the photos I took but the PC seems to have eaten them! I'll take some more tomorrow and add them!











As you can see, all the marks are random in size, shape and situation.

Any suggestions or ideas greatly appreciated. All I have done is try to clean it with basic stuff so far. I'm too terrified of spoiling it with anything else after all of our hard work!

[Suzy R Sopham]

Just bringing this back up to the top in the vain hope of a solution!

[Dave_L]

Have any people been boozing nearby?

[Suzy R Sopham]

We did consider spilled drinks but because it is in all areas (even some that are not walked on as a rule) we dismissed it. Also, if it was drink, it would have cleaned off with soapy water and a scrubbing brush, but it doesn't.

[Dave_L]

Lager/beer and sick do have a nasty habit of staining paving!

All you have to do is take a walk down your local High St early on a Sunday morning to witness that!! :p

[lutonlagerlout]

milk?