The Brew Cabin

Hi Tony, My patio has been laid for one year so far. The flags used are Marshalls Heritage - Calder Brown. I prefer the look and colour of the flags when they are wet and am considering using a patio sealant to bring out the colour of the flags, akin to when they are wet. Approximately on third of the flags have white efflorescence to varying degrees, which having browsed your site, I am not unduly worried about (apart from the look). My question is - when the flags are wet the efflorescence is not visible, therefore is it recommended to use a patio sealant if there is still efflorescence present or best to wait until this has passed? (which could be a while, I guess) Any advice would be very helpful.

Many thanks

It's best to wait until the efflorescence has abated as it can, and does, show up beneath a sealant, sometimes. I'm surprised you're still being troubled with the bloom after 12 months, though: the worst is usually over and done with in 6 months or so, especially if it's been 'over-wintered'.

I'd leave it for this summer, then look at it again next spring, when, hopefully, all the eff. will be long gone. :)