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Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 1:58 pm
by Andehh1
As per topic, after 2 years of using the patio we are now seriously considering sealing it.

We BBQ a lot & eat outdoors a lot, so for 80% of the summer the patio ends up stained with grease - both from the BBQ & young children dropping food onto the patio.

This pressure wash off, but the reality is I don't pressure wash it often enough & we just live with various areas of the patio with these greasy stains.

Due to a small & sloping grass, BBQing or moving the table away from the patio is not an option.

Some considerations though - the patio is well trafficed. I am very much an outdoor cat (I don't do much, but I like being outside) and my sons are the same. Most evenings we are mucking around on it.

We do like the 'wet look' of the patio, it darkens considerably and come sup looking really smart. We would love to make this a permanent look, picture below shows how it looked when brand new, still with the glossy look the grouting gave it temporarily. We would like to try and re-create this.

How it looks, with an example of the staining we get on the left
https://www.dropbox.com/s/900xtwf5pij17ym/IMG_20180826_085517.jpg?dl=1

How it looked new, after grouting & with the wet look:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wkfb0b6lbkjuhkl/20170421_165618.jpg?dl=1

From my research I know this needs serious consideration, it must not rain or get wet & to apply it exactly as per instructions. I was just seeking advice on how to seal it, as I know sealing quartz/slate (which I gather it is) is not usually the 'done thing'.

Edit: the bradstone quartzite is detailed more here: One small picture of it mid way down 7 the full brochure page 90% of the way to the bottom.
http://www.pavingexpert.com/news387.htm

Many thanks in advance :)

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 10:09 am
by Tony McC
Quartzite is *very* difficult to seal effectively. It's not quite as awkward as slate, but it's not far off! The biggest problem is that it is almost impermeable, so the sealant can't impregnate, which means a crappy topical sealant that will simply sit on the surface, attempt to cling to the surface (and fail within a couple of years), and provide endless hours of amusement as users slip and slide when it's wet.

I can't (and won't - see why) recommend a particular sealant. You really need to talk to Bradstone and get them to climb down off that fence they permanently occupy (Good luck with that!!!).