Indian Sandstone Picture Framing/Grout marks

[1sandyh]

hi all,

Had patio done 2 months ago by landscaping co. Slabs are Indian Sandstone ‘Raj Green’. They were varied Autumnal colours prior to grouting, browns/reds/yellows..

Problem is there is a picture frame effect in & around the grout lines. The slabs are bone dry but look wet around the edges. Some are quite big stains running into the centre of the slabs.

The raj colours also seem to have been lost, they look more grey now. Almost looks like a residue covers the slabs now? The grout used was mushroom grey so I’m wondering if it is grout residue or something else?

Sandstone was NOT sealed. Grout used was a dry brush in type.

Patio has been cleaned twice, first with washing up liquid, stiff brush. Second time with patio cleaner, stuff brush & jet wash. Still no better.

Company said it will fade. I doubt it. Would rather try to clean them up & sort it out myself so I can actually enjoy looking out on my patio!!

I really need to avoid anything harsh/acidic if possible as there is an aluminium track & glass around the perimeter of the patio. That’s another reason why I’m worried if they come back to clean it, they may ruin the ballustrade.

How do I sort this mess out? The patio is 50m2. Thanks

 

[1sandyh]

These were the slabs prior to grout/the mess..

 

[The Tiler]

what a mess....
please don't use washing up liquid, there not plates.....
I'd start by insisting on the fixer come back a sort it.
what you could do is look at the grout used and see how it should have been used.
@Lithofin BOB may be able to help more

 

[1sandyh]

They used ultrascape flowpoint, according to the bag the area should be wetted & then grout brushed in. Which is what he did. Maybe he didn’t rinse/clean it off enough after.

I’ve asked him to come back again but I dont want him to make things worse using harsh cleaners etc or fob me off.

What is the best course of action usually with this? Will it fade/wear off eventually?

 

[Bill]

Did the contractors do this?

 

[Bill]

Ultrascape flowpoint is a wet mix, not a dry one....maybe that is how the slabs have become 'stained'

 

[widler]

It’s the linseed oil in the pointing compound (I think it’s linseed oil) the brush in pointing is s h i t e

 

[widler]

Sorry, wrong stuff , just watched the vid,

 

[Tile seller]

Did they lay them using sand/cement?

 

[1sandyh]

Tom, no!!! They wet the patio then brushed it in dry. Then rinsed it with the hose!!!! clearly i misunderstood when they said they used a dry mix. Will I ever be able to get this off now?

Tile seller, laid on a full bed.

 

[Boggs]

Surely they would need to be sealed before laying that on them?
That’s like grouting with slc!

 

[Bill]

Surely they would need to be sealed before laying that on them?
That’s like grouting with slc!

That's how all floor tiling used to be grouted @Boggs ..... sloppy and wet.

This is different though as it is rapid setting.

The Op's installers have done it wrong. (unless the grout stated was different)

 

[1sandyh]

They definitely weren’t sealed. How on earth am I going to rectify this now? I’ve contacted the boss of the company today, sent photos & he said he’s coming round tomorrow.

What worries me, is if they didn’t use this product right then what are they going to use to remove it? He said he usually uses the ready mixed grout eg easy joint so ‘maybe there was an issue with the dry grout’. No the issue was how you used it!

Anyone have any clue how to sort this? Please don’t say replace the patio, way past that option.
Are there any products at all that will remove this?

 

[Bill]

They definitely weren’t sealed. How on earth am I going to rectify this now? I’ve contacted the boss of the company today, sent photos & he said he’s coming round tomorrow.

What worries me, is if they didn’t use this product right then what are they going to use to remove it? He said he usually uses the ready mixed grout eg easy joint so ‘maybe there was an issue with the dry grout’. No the issue was how you used it!

Anyone have any clue how to sort this? Please don’t say replace the patio, way past that option.
Are there any products at all that will remove this?

drop @Lithofin BOB a message and he may come up with a solution (pun intended)

 

[Boggs]

Would a mortar remover work in this situation?

 

[Bill]

Would a mortar remover work in this situation?

I wouldn't like to use an acid product on this stone.

 

[Boggs]

Someone has used Sarsons pickling vinegar on sandstone before with good results, the thread is on here.

 

[Tile seller]

I'd try this new ltp product.

 

[Blunt Tool]

They were only meant to slightly wet the joints not the slabs, then brush in dry mix and leave for a while, then the dry mix sucks the water from the bottom of the joint then just smooth using a brick jointer and brush excess dry mix away. Now I would clean slabs with a cement film cleaner
Lithofin Cement Away (1L) - https://www.tilefixdirect.com/product/LFCA1L?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp9iojo2-3gIVZpPtCh3oeAtdEAQYAiABEgJkxfD_BwE

 

[1sandyh]

Callatiler - is that Lithofin product ok on Indian sandstone? I’ve read some horror stories tonight about using acid based products. I see it says suitable for stone but ?

So essentially he grouted the entire patio, not just the joins but the surface of the slabs themself. Honestly this patio has caused me more stress than it was worth.

My other concern is the aluminium track & glass around the perimeter of the patio. How best to protect this from being damaged from these products

 

[Blunt Tool]

Polythene and tape up aluminium rails, work in small areas 1 metre x 1 metre and adhere to instructions on bottle and it will turn out spot on how it should have looked. Only advice is the weather don’t do it early morning now for frost and try and get a 2 or 3 day good dry forecast
Also yes Lithofin cement away, a local tile shop probably stocks it

 

[1sandyh]

Thanks callatiler. If it splashes or flicks up will it burn through the polythene, on to the Ali track/glass? I’m so paranoid about ruining this. Same as how close it is to the new glass doors.

I’ll do a test area first too

 

[Blunt Tool]

No any splashes can be rinsed with clean water right away work methodically and you will see good results
Won’t burn thru polythenes it’s not sulphuric Or the stuff that comes out of aliens haha

 

[1sandyh]

Oh Jesus I’m going to be crapping myself doing this!

Just out of curiousity - what’s the difference between the lithofin cement away & the builders clean?

Should I use neat or ??

 

[Blunt Tool]

Oh Jesus I’m going to be crapping myself doing this!

Just out of curiousity - what’s the difference between the lithofin cement away & the builders clean?

Should I use neat or ??

No use Lithofin and a 1 litre bottle can be diluted with 20 litres of clean water do not use neat. I would personally get a clean 10 litre bucket and add 100ml of cleaner and mix, then I would have 3 buckets of clean water beside me

 

[Bill]

Acid is ok with plastics..... look at what acid is stored in.......

 

[CJ]

I laid Indian sandstone in my back garden last year...........they definitely need sealing. Can’t remember what sealant I used, but the instructions said, it needed 5 clear dry days before sealing. Then I used Wickes own brush in pointing.......which was horrible stuff.......but it looked ok when done.

 

[Bill]

They were only meant to slightly wet the joints not the slabs, then brush in dry mix and leave for a while, then the dry mix sucks the water from the bottom of the joint then just smooth using a brick jointer and brush excess dry mix away. Now I would clean slabs with a cement film cleaner
Lithofin Cement Away (1L) - https://www.tilefixdirect.com/product/LFCA1L?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp9iojo2-3gIVZpPtCh3oeAtdEAQYAiABEgJkxfD_BwE

Ultrascape is a wet grout and is supposed to go all over the slabs too. Other products differ.

 

[Blunt Tool]

Ultrascape is a wet grout and is supposed to go all over the slabs too. Other products differ.

You actually ever seen stoners ever grouting their slabs like we do tiles haha

 

[Bill]

You actually ever seen stoners ever grouting their slabs like we do tiles haha

Yes.... i posted a video above