The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Fri Apr 27, 2018 8:08 am**

Hi, just looking for some advice - I have a few guys in at the minute paving my back garden and after they had laid about half of the new paving a brick that they had left on a windowsill blew off and landed in a pile of wet cement, splashing a load of the newly laid slabs with cement. The slabs are a brown / orange colour so the grey cement stains are very noticeable. When it first happened the guy in charge said it was no issue to remove and they would powerhose it off, that was a week ago and despite multiple washes it remains very noticeably stained.

The fella who actually laid the paving said to me at the time that it would be difficult to remove and he would be reluctant to use any chemicals in case it changed the color or lifted the surface off, and that they would more than likely need to be lifted and replaced (which is my preference too as I'm really worried about discoloration). But the "boss" is insistent that he can still remove the marks (he doesn't want to have to pay out for more slabs I assume).

Does anyone have any advice? Am I being unreasonable to expect them to replace the stained ones? There is such a noticeable difference between them and the slabs that were laid after it happened, and I can see the stains from an upstairs bedroom window.

Any advice would be much appreciated - thanks!

Posted: **Fri Apr 27, 2018 1:54 pm**

It should of been cleaned off right away.

Posted: **Fri Apr 27, 2018 3:40 pm**

I know, but when it fell off they had gone home already and I wasn't at home so it had time to dry in. He is now saying that the marks will wear off in time and that after he seals them on Monday they won't be visible anymore - does this sound right?

Posted: **Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:02 am**

No that seems wrong. Weather conditions are to damp this time of year for sealing. As fir cleaning now Roger is your man for advice on that, he will be along soon as he is a B C regular. I suspect though could be a slab change and re-lay.

Posted: **Sun Apr 29, 2018 9:14 am**

Couple of things I need to know.
What is the paving? sandstone, limestone etc
When was this laid as in the pointing being finished days or weeks ago?
What have they tried to use other then the pressure washer?

Sealing on Monday???? has the guy not looked at the weather forecast??
Also what sealer are they going to use? brand/make etc

Posted: **Sun Apr 29, 2018 12:52 pm**

Thanks for the advice so far guys.

I am not 100% sure of the paving type

but this is it if that helps (in the brown / orange colour)

https://www.tobermore.co.uk/homeown....roi.pdf

The pointing hasn't actually been done yet, it is being done tomorrow and from what i gathered from him the sealing was being done tomorrow or Tuesday too. He didn't mention what type of sealant. The flags were laid about 8 days ago and the cement spillage occurred on the first day of them laying it.

They haven't tried anything yet other than powerwashing multiple times which isnt doing anything. I have read that the brick acid can damage the surface, is that right?

The main guy is coming tomorrow so I can get more info from him.

Posted: **Sun Apr 29, 2018 1:42 pm**

Sorry but unbelievable that you don't know what paving you are having laid & paying for????

To early to seal sealing as they were laid only 8 days ago, and as far as pointing & sealing on the same day??? however has suggested that is a fool, we fail to epic proportions.

I suggest you get them to replace the damaged pavers/slabs.
You need to leaving the paving once finished for at least 10-12 weeks before sealing to let everything settle and cure properly, and as I said in the earlier reply, the guy needs to check the weather forecast for the next couple of days......

Posted: **Sun Apr 29, 2018 2:25 pm**

That's what I thought too re the sealing, he seems to be trying to get out of replacing them at all costs but I am going to insist that he does.

Thanks

Posted: **Sun Apr 29, 2018 5:28 pm**

Also find out what product he was going to use?

Some sealers are not worth the money and will give you more problems in the long run.

Posted: **Mon Apr 30, 2018 10:34 am**

Will do cheers

The Brew Cabin

Cement spillage - Cement spilt on new patio flags