Black Limestone Problem

[Milou]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help. In February I had 30msq of black limestone laid at the front of my house. Since then the chap who laid it has tried to sort out the dreadful staining that appears. He has used Colour Enhancer and then Stain Stop but I've just hosed the area down again and now that its dry there are still patchy water markings all over it. It looks awful. I'm sure I read that these slabs should have been sealed before laying is this correct? I wonder if anyone near to me in Dulwich could have a look at it.

 

[Knackered Knees]

Pics are a must for such advice. In saying that limestone especially black can be a bit 'Hit and Miss' depends on where it's being laid and the traffic it has to cope with. Myself I always give it a good looking over before I even think about laying it, it must be 'Perfect' in appearance, I always handle it wearing gloves as the oils from your skin can stain untreated limestone, it's just compressed calcium carbonate and it will 'suck in' just about any type of material and stain it. I myself normally seal the face first before fixing as an insurance policy as different density stone can 'blend' differently once laid and create patches so this is checked first with the sealer before laying. Also clients fail to realize that stone is a natural product and it isn't 'Man made' and has a certain character and 'style' that only comes about by age. In other words it won't stay 'Perfect' forever and will soften with time. Like the saying goes "A rolling stone gathers no moss".

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi and :welcome:

 

[Ian]

Welcome along

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome..

 

[Milou]

Hi this is a photo of the slabs. when washed they dry like this....

 

[Knackered Knees]

Do the 'Water Stains' rub off with a clean dry cloth?

 

[steve187]

As knackered knees has said, i always seal limestone prior to laying as it stains easily

 

[DHTiling]

:welcome:

 

[Milou]

Thanks for all your help. Yes, if I do rub them really hard the stain goes and the finish is nice with a slight sheen, but, obviously I can't get down on my hands and knees every time it rains, it would take hours, an inch square took ages. We've even had colour intensifier and then stain stop put on them. It rained yesterday, they looked good, the rain stopped and they look awful again.