Limestone disaster - help!!!

[steevo]

This is my first post on this site and, probably like many, a major issue has led me to seek help.
We've just layed, what was, a beautiful kotah black limestone patio. It looked good, but we wanted it to look great! We tested a small area with a colour intensifier, left it a couple of days and decided the gloss effect looked fantastic and decided to go the whole hog and have all of the 50 sq m done the same way. Initially, once the first coat had been applied with a roller, it looked fantastic - even after drying. Then, the following morning we had some rain and the oddest thing happened - some of the patio dried out fine and some started to dry with small white spots remaining!! The only difference I can think of is that the worst affected areas are in the shade. i have to power wash it off and it has little effect - any thoughts or recommendations for getting me out of this mess will be most appreciated.

[Pablo]

Could they be cement stains

[steevo]

Unfortunately not - there are hundreds of them covering approximately one third of the overall area. They are generally about 1cm in diameter and look similar to a salt spot, if that helps.

[GB_Groundworks]

this pop ups alot on here, sealing has to be done when slabs are fully dry and then left to dry out, like a week without rain.

use the search facility to search for sealing and limestone you'll find loads on it.

e.g.

http://ext.pavingexpert.com/cgi-bin....l=kotah



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1276631578

[steevo]

That's a great help, thanks.

So now I realise how the problem occurred - now I need to understand the best way of removing the white spots - are you saying that a spell of dry weather will clear them?

[GB_Groundworks]

no

[steevo]

So, I'm stuck with this disaster?

I've searched the site and can only find partial discussions with no conclusive description on the best way to resolve the condition.

Any direction on the next steps I should take will be appreciated.

[rab1]

from my limited knowledge of sealants used on paving you may have to remove the original sealant and redo the process.

please dont take this as gospel as other more wiser members may have a better way

[steevo]

If so, this raises my next question which is how do you remove the sealant?

[lutonlagerlout]

which sealer did you use steevo?
this makes a massive difference
LLL

[steevo]

It is called Protect & Enhance Colour Intensifier - made by Fila home care products. It was purchased from Topps Tiles.

Hope this helps

Really appreciate the support from all so far on this forum.

[steevo]

Just as an update - I have contacted Fila and they have recommended that a product called DeWax will remove the sealant and the process can then be restarted.

Apparently, the key factor for the best finish is to leave the limestone for at least 3 days following the preparation jet wash - then apply sealant - then hope there is no rain for 2 days following the application.

[London Stone Paving]

Its amazing how many times this, or similar situations crop up. There really needs to be some definitive information on sealing which is easily accessible to everyone.

It would save a lot of time and money for a lot of people.

We should all get together and provide a "paving expert definitive guide to sealing paving"

Anyone interested?

[lutonlagerlout]

IMHO sealing is expensive and on the whole unnecessary
more agg than its worth
LLL

[steevo]

For many stones that may be the case. However, it made a significant difference to the look of limestone.

BTW - I used colour intensifier. I also did a test area using a gloss sealant from B&Q and that hardly made a difference.

So, from my very limited experience, the type of sealant used can make a huge difference too.