Black limestone - what order to clean/seal/grout

[damiantscully]

Hi

I have just laid a black limestone patio in my garden, and am now about to point them. I was intending on using Romex after reading about it here, but I am not sure whether I should seal the slabs before or after, as the romex says it leaves a film as well?

I have kept the slabs clean whilst laying them, but at the moment they are light grey with dust/sponge marks where I have been wiping them. What is the best thing to clean them with, and I should I seal before or after pointing with Romex? Also I understand Stainstop is the best sealant to give the black wet look?

Thanks for the help, sorry if this info has been mentioned before.

[Pablo]

Give the flags a good scrub with water and a deck brush then apply one coat of sealer. Point it then apply the other coat. Stainstop is good stuff and works well. Do not under any circumstances use acid on limestone. If you want the wet look then slate seal by lithofin may be a better option.

[Tony McC]

The so-called "black" limestone is rapidly developing a reputation for not remaining black for very long. One summer and it's suddenly mid-grey, much to the consternation of the poor sod that paid for it.

I've found that if the limestone is treated with Colour Impregnator and then the StainStop as soon as the work is complete this keeps it black ... or has done for the past two years on an experimental piece lying on the roof of the hi-tech research lab at the bottom of me garden.

[lutonlagerlout]

roof of the hi-tech research lab

ianmelb? anyone
LLL