Should i seal now or wait??? - Sealing sandstones

[debbiedoo76]

Hi,

After a bit of advice. We laid a sandstone patio in July but due to various factors did not seal straight away.

There is algae on many of the stones as well as other stains left by leaves etc. My dad is of the opinion that we should seal the patio now to avoid further staining and he is concerned that if we leave the stones unsealed then the stains will become permanent and we will not be able to remove them.

However, I am concerned that it is too cold/damp to be applying sealer as the patio seems permanently damp.

Would we be better sealing the patio now or leaving until spring and dealing with stains then?

Debbie

[seanandruby]

Definetly a no no to seal now. Need to be bone dry. Your dad should know by now....a woman is always right :;):

[RAPressureWashing]

Don't even think about sealing at this time of year !!! starting to get to damp & to cold both = failure.
Leave it until late spring the earliest, as for cleaning the algae & leaf stains (tannin's) all the answers for removing these are on the main site.

[debbiedoo76]

Thank you for the responses.

Can you confirm that the algae and tannin staining will be ok left over the winter months and will be ok to remove in the spring? Or is there anything else we can do to protect from further staining?

My dad is concerned that the staining will become permanent if it is left.

Thanks

[RAPressureWashing]

Algae & Tannin staining is usually very easy to remove, but if you are worried about it, then you could wait until all the leafs etc have fallen and give the paving a clean so no staining/marks over the winter months, if you look on the main site, you want the berries & fruit stain section, there is a cleaning solution mix, that will clean the paving perfectly