So I have a situation with paving stones that were only laid 6 months ago. A month ago I was waterproofing a tent in the yard using a water-based vinegar product (‘Nikwax Tent & Gear Solarproof’) some of which was dripping onto the ground. Although I wiped a lot of it up as I was going along, it was only when it rained a few days later, that it became clear that the surface of some of the paving stones had been etched by the vinegar (which is an acid – who knew?). You can’t see it at all when it’s dry, only when it’s rained. I scrubbed it twice with a hard broom and detergent but the etching marks are still there when it's wet. Some of it also went onto the decking which has lightened that a bit, but I believe that may be easier to rectify with a clear varnish. I was wondering if anyone could recommend anything to fix the paving problem?
I’m pretty sure it’s only a surface problem and that the paving stones haven’t been structurally damaged, but unfortunately the owner of the property has taken it personally and is being very unreasonable that I ‘return it back to how it was originally,’ even though it clearly wasn’t intentional and with hindsight I would have covered the ground underneath and hosed it down afterwards.
I was going to try to use a hovercraft-type rotary pressure washer for patios with patio cleaner, to try and bring up the brightness of the whole patio thus reducing the obviousness of the area lightened by the vinegar product, although at the moment the Landlord hasn’t given the go ahead before I get expert advice, as he is worried that it might remove the pointing between the paving stones (some of which has already come away between 2 paving stones on the patio after only 6 months) – I think the pointing may be sand-based. Can anyone confirm that from my photos?
I’m not sure what type of stone it is either – I’ve been trying to get hold of the person who laid the patio to ask that. Can anyone tell from the photos?
I’ve been told that stains are very difficult to get rid of (although this is technically an etching caused by acid.) I’m wondering if a mechanical means of removing the affected top layer might be possible, rather than chemicals?
Many thanks for any advice offered. I’m trying to resolve the situation as amicably as possible, so that I can move on.
Tony
(ps. I've tried to upload links to photos but the forum isn't allowing me to upload a Dropbox link and I dont have a website, so can't see how else to upload the photos. Am I missing something? )
vinegar contains acetic acid
not sure what your flags are,but no disrespect they dont look expensive
personally i would just let the good old british weather take its toll and review in 6 months
you could sped a lot of time faffing around with this for not much improvement
cheers LLL
No offense taken - they dont look that expensive to me either! But I need to at least be appearing to be doing something about it now, given that it's not my property etc. I expect it will weather, to some extent, as well. Thanks.
)
