Cleaning dark limestone patio - How to clean a dark limestone patio?

[Jackie P]

Hi

My dark limestone patio is one year old, and has gone fron dark blue/black to pale grey. I can scrub individual slabs with a very stiff brush and JIF cleaner and it helps a bit, but its back-braking work. Why has it become paler and whats the best and easist way to get it back to dark blue/black? I have been told not to use any sort of acid as this may etch into and damage it.

Thanks
Jackie

[rab1]

SUNLIGHT, UV rays will lighten your paving. ???

[Jackie P]

Hi

If it was fading by sunlight then I wouldnt be able to scrub it off!
Plus I couldnt see it fading in one year to that extent.

Its almost like a thin coat of mortar, but its really difficult to scrub off.

J

[London Stone Paving]

Is the stone black limestone?

[Jackie P]

Hi

Its very dark grey but not black, heres a link to the actual patio kit I ordered.

http://simplypaving.com/view....186

Ta
Jackie

[msh paving]

The dark black/blue limestone will fade to grey in sunshine in no time due to the UV rays, there are quite a few posting in the forums about that,once faded there is very little if anything you can do,contact your supplier to confirm this,Jif is a abrasive household cleaner using this will remove a mirco surface area enough to show a darker colour not worth doing at all MSH

[Jackie P]

Hi

Its deffo not fading, I got a wire brush and tested a patch, the dusty layer came off and I could wash it away to reveal the darker, original colour. So it seems it is a layer of mortar? or could it be concrete coming thru from underneath?

I really need a product like 'brick cleaner' BUT without acid in it and one that does all the hard work of dissolving the dusty layer.

Thanks

[London Stone Paving]

Jackie

Please send photos so we can take a look

Steve

[Jackie P]

Hi Steve

Can't see how to add pictures/jpegs! Can I email you 4 jpegs to a business email address?

Thanks

Jackie

[Suggers]

How to post photos.

[Jackie P]

Thanks Suggers.

Hi Steve

Please click on the link below to see 2 pix.

The darker stone is the one I have scrubbed very hard with a scourer and soapy water, back brakingly hard work and didnt get into the small crevices, which still have that thick, hard dusty cement layer. Thinking of using a (gentle) wire brush then maybe sealing it!

Any advice welcome.

Jackie

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfis....pfishuk

[Jackie P]

Hi Steve

If that link didnt work, try this

Jackie

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfis....pfishuk

[dilbert]

Icelandic volcanic ash residue??

[Jackie P]

Volcanic ash would have just settled on the surface.

Hi Steve

The Snapfish photo links are being a pain. Hope this link works. Sorry!

Ta
Jackie

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfis....si=SPHN

[London Stone Paving]

Jackie

I have had a look at the photo and it looks pretty normal to me. As has already been mentioned in the thread, black limestone does have a tendency to fade to a milky grey colour. However you have said that you have been scrubbing away and actually removing the surface layer to reveal the original black colour?

The picture you have sent does not really shed any light on this.

1. Stop using jif on it straightaway. Kota limestone is sensitive to chemicals.

2. Please send some more photos to steven@londonstone.com

3. You can sometime use colour enahncing sealants to maintain the original colour but its not something to rush into.

4. The kota limestones sometimes develop a white chalky layerm on the surface when they are acclimatizing. However in my experience it is usually only short term


I will wait for photos

steve