Sealing sandstone: how dry is dry ?

[notwiggo]

All armed with Lithofin and sprayer and cleaned sandstone patio. Only problem is I'm struggling to get to point where the patio is bone dry. I've seen warnings on the main pages about contact of sealant with moisture can cause sealants to turn milky (disaster); also potential obvious issues with absorbing sealant no doubt.

Every time it gets close to really dry, something comes and mucks it up (yesterday morning, some rain; this morning very light drizzle to accompany fog; currently warm but overcast). Its not far off dry, but don't want to lock in variability of appearance because of moisture, or risk 'milking'. With September fast running out, and threat of manky damp leaves falling off trees, I need to get it done. And I don't see 3-4 days of unbroken sunshine and 25 C being on the cards to get it meditteranean dryness...

Any thoughts on how dry is dry .... ?

[London Stone Paving]

Your going to struggle to seal this . If we do get a few days of warm, dry weather then the patio should be ok to seal. It unlikely though at this time of year

[notwiggo]

Your going to struggle to seal this . If we do get a few days of warm, dry weather then the patio should be ok to seal. It unlikely though at this time of year

That would be a pretty disastrous outcome. Surrounded by trees = leaves = one of the reasons for sealing it. Where I am (down south) temperatures are not bad. For example last couple of days at least and next 1-2 days forecast to be 13 C overnight and up to 20 C at height of day. The issue has been for example this morning very light drizzle with mist first thing. Two steps....one step.

At the moment, its looking mostly dry: pointing in places however shows some dampness. I should add that the dampness is coming from the final wash off in prep for sealing but then getting unlucky with the weather conditions over the w/e.

So I guess I come back to: how "deep dry" does it need to be when using Lithofin ?

[notwiggo]

well I covered everything up with sheeting overnight in an attempt to hold off dew/mist/fog that we are getting. Intention is to strip it off later to allow it to air.

Still interested in any comments ref. any risks being run, how deep dry it has to be.

[London Stone Paving]

I understand why you want to get this done for your own peace of mind. I am also in the south and this morning for example the air was very misty and damp.

Its a good idea to keep it sheeted over because that will keep it clean while you wait for a dry weather period but as I said before you will be very lucky to get one at this time of year.

Its not the end of the world if you have to wait until next year. As I said before I do understand why you want to get it doen before the winter but I just want to make you aware that the consequences of a failed sealant are much worse than leaving the patio unsealed over the winter. Fingers crossed that you get the window.

Steve

[notwiggo]

but I just want to make you aware that the consequences of a failed sealant are much worse than leaving the patio unsealed over the winter. Fingers crossed that you get the window.

Steve, thanks for the input. I think that is what I'm trying to get a better handle on: what are the likely consequences of a failed sealant (with e.g. Lithofin) ? That's the bit I need to understand: I don't want to create a disaster.

P.S. currently waiting for mist to lift before removing sheeting to give it more air time........goddamn.

[williams]

This is why I don't seal paving for people, it's bordering on impossible in our climate and I do question how anyone can make a living out of it. I've tried and gone round cleaned the job, only for them to never properly dry off.

As for block paving I don't think the joints EVER dry out, even in a heat wave if you lift a couple the joints still show moisture days after being cleaned.

[London Stone Paving]

Stuart
I have sent you a PM. Give me a call and I'll talk you through it
Steve