The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Sun Jul 25, 2010 1:37 pm**

Hi all, new here, but have read a few helpful posts etc for the past month or so. Pretty sure someone here can assist me with the issues I have below - thanks in advance.

I recently - since Friday - had a new patio/pathway laid using natural Limestone - the product is Black Kadapha from Pavestone Manufacturer's site.

The guy has done a very nice job to be honest, only issue I have with it is the marks left on the stone after he's pointed and laid it. There is quite a lot of smeared/brushed off white marks on the stone, which I assume is possibly the jointing compound/mortar that hasn't been property cleaned off after the job was completed.

I was considering cleaning it all myself, but have just spent about 30 mins on a 1m2 section on my hands and knees with a deck scrubber and a bucket of water, and it has improved it slightly. I checked the above website and it states they don't recommend using a power washer to clean the stone, so I'm not sure what the way forward is for me, as I don't fancy cleaning 50m2 using the method above.

Should I contact the guy and ask him to come and remedy, or I am being a bit off?

I plan on sealing the stone soon, although I understand this should be done before you point the stone. Is it still possible to seal it?

I will get some pictures up later on if that helps to illustrate the problem.

Posted: **Sun Jul 25, 2010 3:54 pm**

y ou need to use a non acid cleaner. i like the way they say it will go grey it will go very grey unless you seal it acid rain sends it grey

Posted: **Sun Jul 25, 2010 5:23 pm**

cookiewales wrote:y ou need to use a non acid cleaner. i like the way they say it will go grey it will go very grey unless you seal it acid rain sends it grey

Cheers Cookie - do you reckon that should be the contractor's responsibility, or mine?

Posted: **Sun Jul 25, 2010 5:27 pm**

moob wrote:
cookiewales wrote:y ou need to use a non acid cleaner. i like the way they say it will go grey it will go very grey unless you seal it acid rain sends it grey

Cheers Cookie - do you reckon that should be the contractor's responsibility, or mine?

contractor but make sure he knows not to use acid based cleaners :;):

Posted: **Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:06 pm**

Thanks mate - have just come back from hosing it down after a light scrub with a tough bristled brush - if it is still dodgy looking after, I will see him about it tomorrow. He hasn't been paid yet.

Just another quickie, would you seal it, or just allow it to weather naturally?

Posted: **Sun Jul 25, 2010 9:06 pm**

what jointing compound did he use?
the marks look a bit like dust from the chippings to me
cheers LLL

Posted: **Tue Jul 27, 2010 10:38 am**

Hi LLL,

The marks are all over the stone, even the sections where there are no stone chips near them. They look like this even after I've scrubbed them down with a hose and stiff brush.

I've no idea what jointing compound he used to be honest.

Contractor came round yesterday for his money and I explained the issues to him - he's returning today to deck scrub it with water and Fairy liquid!

Hope it makes a difference!

Posted: **Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:28 pm**

moob wrote:Hi LLL,

Contractor came round yesterday for his money and I explained the issues to him - he's returning today to deck scrub it with water and Fairy liquid!

Hope it makes a difference!

fairy liquid to get the stain off will be about as good as a chocolate fireguard MSH

Posted: **Wed Jul 28, 2010 9:08 am**

It is difficult to shift mortar stains from black limestone. I agree that fairy liquid wont do a lot but on the other hand you cant use acid either.

Its not a good idea to reguarly clean natural stone with jetwashes because it can erode the surface of the stone but in this case I would be tempted to have a go with a jet wash and see if that will shift it.

Its also worth spekaing to the guys at extensive.

www.extensive.co.uk

The Brew Cabin

New limestone paving - residue from installation? - Any help on how to remove?