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Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:10 am
by rks
Just about to finnish laying indian sandstone riven paving . i had a look at suppliers patio area and they had sealed it it didnt make it look too shiny unatural but i would like to ask if i should seal before i use easy grout ? Thats one im thinking of using .thanks
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 10:35 am
by r896neo
Point it first and then leave it all for a minimum of 6 weeks for any moisture and efflouresence to come out of the paving. Then seal it but make sure the paving is bone dry. Check mftrs advice for specifics.
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2016 2:57 pm
by Tom - Westminster Stone
Patio sealing worth a quick read, 'HG Impregnating protector' is the product i'd recommend if you go down the sealing route as it is almost invisible and it is fully breatheable.
Tom
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2016 10:53 am
by ResiblockBoss
I would agree with r896neo you need to point it first and allow at least 6 weeks. Impregnators can be good (we make one ourselves) the only drawback is chemically some can be highly mobile and hence migrate from the surface, quickly losing their effectiveness. Ask your supplier to show you jobs that have been down a year or more. You only need to drop some water onto the surface to see if the repellence characteristics remain.
We have developed a couple of products specifically for Indian Sandstone, one also being a colour enhancer. If you PM me with your address, I’ll happily get some samples off to you.
Craig
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 7:31 am
by London Stone Paving
The repellance characteristics that you mention (beading on the surface of the stone) will only be visible for a few weeks anyway.
Once they have gone it doesn't mean your impregnator is not repelling water anymore. Impregnators dont operate on the surface of the stone, they absorb into the stone and coat the pores/cappillaries of the stone.
Impregnators last a lot longer because of this as they are not getting broken down by traffic or UV
Steve
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 8:04 am
by ResiblockBoss
You make an interesting observation Steve.
Just one question – prior to evaporation, if the water is not absorbed into the paving nor is it on the surface - where is it?
Craig
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 9:30 am
by London Stone Paving
Impregnators operate below the surface. The only reason we see any water beading on the surface of the stone is due to excess product on the surface of the paving. This excess product quickly gets removed by foot traffic, UV light, cleaning and general weather conditions. However the bulk of the impregnator (if its a good quality one) will have absorbed 5-10mm into the stone where it coats the pores with a water repellent. The impregnator has absorbed into the stone, so its unaffected by UV, foot traffic or any of the other things I mentioned. This means that it lasts significantly longer than a topical sealant (topicals operate on the surface) which by there very nature are deteriorating from day 1 and, generally, last a couple of years before they lose their effectiveness.
In answering your question, pre-evaporation, the water is still sitting on the surface of the stone but is spread over a bigger area because there is no product on the surface causing it to bead. This makes it less visible to the eye, but effectively its still on top
Steve
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 10:59 am
by rks
Hi im assuming you are reccommending a impregnator as opposed to a sealer ? if so which one would you reccommend for indian sandstone please thanks
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 11:49 am
by London Stone Paving
IMHO Riven Indian Sandstone does not need to be sealed. BUT, if you are going to do it Dry Treat Stain Proof is the best out there. Yes, it is an impregnator. The reason its the best are as follows:
-Contains the highest amount of active ingredient compared to other impregnators
-The molecules in Dry Treat are much smaller which allows it to penetrate deeper into the stone. This creates a permanent moisture barrier that still allows effo to escape
Its not cheap, but you get what you pay for!
Having said that, I still wouldn't seal Indian Riven Sandstone. Doesn't need it
Steve
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 12:01 pm
by rks
ok thanks , im just worried , as even after almost finnished paving , one area it does seem to mark quite easily even after taking care when laying , and there is one slab with a small dark patch on it not sure if kids splilled something or not , so would like to seal it just to give some protection hopefully
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 12:29 pm
by London Stone Paving
Fair enough. You should definitely use an impregnator though. Unless the point is to enhance the colour in which case a topical is a necessary evil
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 1:02 pm
by rks
sorry a topical ? do you have products name please , would like slight enhancement of colour thanks
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 5:38 pm
by lutonlagerlout
Pre sealed Jura limestone from London Stone
can you see why it makes life easy?
cheers LLL 
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 2:08 pm
by Tony McC
....but meself and Resiblock Boss have just been conversing with a client who reckons the water beading like that is a design fault!
You can't please all the people all the time!
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2016 6:18 pm
by lutonlagerlout
its doesnt last forever like that ,but at least you know it has been sealed!
LLL