The Brew Cabin

I've just had a part of my rear garden paved with good old 3'x2' concrete flags. You know, the type which was always used for footpaths. These were bought "new", not used, but the colour of each flag varies quite radically. Many are white in the middle and then a dirty variation of grey for the remaining area. Others are a streaky white all over, almost like bleached jeans. Generally the area, some 120 flags in total, looks quite awful. The builders merchant who supplied the paving flags said this varied texture was normal with new flags and they would stabilize to one colour after about six months of weathering, and giving time for the 'lime' to escape from the mixture. Does this explanation ring true, or is the merchant trying to pull the wool over my eyes to avoid replacing the product? I always thought new flags were quite white after a reasonable period of drying.

Many thanks,

John in Rochdale

Just an after thought, here is a link to my website with a small photo of the flags. Just click if "link" is available or copy and paste it into your browser.

http://www.canaryholidays.esmartbiz.com/paving.html

Hope this helps, cheers

What you have is about right for that type of paving, which is produced, and sold, as utilitarian rather than decorative. The discoloration and the efflorescence is common with these flags, and while it's not detrimental to the perfomance of the flag from a structural point of view, it is not particularly attractive.

I'd guess that it will take a bit longer than 6 months for the surface effects to disappear, but you haven't been diddled, and no-one has pulled wool over your eyes - you got what you paid for: simple, nowt fancy, plain concrete flags. If you wanted summat a bit more attractive, you would have needed to splash out on decorative paving.

Thanks a million Tony, I feel more reassured now a professional has spoken. As a matter of interest would brick acid solution give a more even effect? Alternatively is there any way to top colour the flags, maybe with some sort of dye or cement mixture slurry.

Many thanks again,

John in Rochdale del la Canal

Brick acid will take the pimples off the tops of the flags and remove the eff. temporarily, but it won't last. You can get an eff. remover from somewhere like Jewsons on George Street in Sunny Rochdale, but I reckon they're a waste of money.

Attempting to colour flags is a bit of a nonsense - it costs more to retro-colour concrete flags than it would to buy replacement decorative paving. Tile paint is the cheapest option, but trust me - it will look really naff when you've done!

Use the eff.remover, if you want, as it only costs a fiver and it will spruce them up for a month or so, but don't build up your hopes too high.

What can I say Tony? You're a real gem, even supplying a product suppliers address too. There's not many like you left. I think I'll buy a dark pair of sunglasses and wait for nature to do her business. Alternatively I could always have an extra quid on tomorrows National Lottery or would that be just as bad as the short lived effects of acid or eff remover?

Anyway, a great website which I have visited many times since "finding you", only wish I'd found it before taking the basic 3'x2' option. Live and learn so to speak. Kindest regards to you and all in Warrington.

Just an update. I did have an extra quid on the National Lottery and won £1088, talk about fate, but for 5 numbers it was pretty poor % of £21 million.

Anyway all £ sources are very welcome.

Maybe I'll buy some better flags, all depends on my other half cause she'll no doubt have other plans for the cash.

Regards to all,

John in Rochdale