Sandstone questions - Sealing and brown spots

[PavingHelp]

Hi,

Ive had some Kandla Grey Indian Sandstone layed and I am told that you can apply a sealer which darkens the grey or makes it look damp. What would you reccomend and where can it be purchased from (B&Q, Wickes?)

Also the flags have been down a week and Ive noticed that after it rains and drys, the edges of the flags stay damp for longer. Is this normal? I wondered if it was to do with the fact Ive had problems with the grouting, which has not set (going to have to get it redone). also on the flags there are a few brown spots appearing, I wondered if this was from rain getting through the grout and bringing back up mud / sand etc. It isn't hugely notoicable, but what is it it, can i get rid of it?

Any help appreciated! Thanks.

[lutonlagerlout]

yes it is normal as the pointing is taking longer to dry out
you could try lithofin colour enhancer from extensive.co.uk
dont buy any sealers from the big sheds its likely not to be up to the job
LLL

[PavingHelp]

Cheers Tony I will check out the stuff you mention. I presume its a job I can do as a complete novice?! I did read somewhere that I should not put this type of stuff on for at least 4 months after laying the paving, in order for it to dry out. Is that correct?

[lutonlagerlout]

too late probably to seal this year
you need at least a week of dry warm-ish weather
cheers LLL
TBH i never seal
if you do it once you have to keep repeating
that stone is 300 million years old or there abouts
why bother?
LLL

[Tony McC]

Brown spots are probably iron oxides (rust) leaching out. While there is always some variation in the amount of rust spots in Kandala Grey, as a rough gyuide to quality, the better stuff has fewer spots. There is no cure - it's a natural part of the stone.

Sealing is over for this season for all but the eejits. The paving needs to be BONE dry for best results. Any residual moisture can adversely affect the finish.

[London Stone Paving]

Beware about the brown spots, they can develop and get worse. Certain quarries near Kota produce this problem.

There is a product to reduce them but you need to wait for the problem to peak

Steve