Interested In Advertising? | Contact Us Here
Warning!

 

Welcome to Clean It Up; the UK`s largest cleaning forum with over 34,000 members

 

Please login or register to post and reply to topics.      

 

Forgot your password? Click here

Keiron Bradley

  • Posts: 55
Efforescence on limestone
« on: August 29, 2016, 12:04:36 pm »
Hi,
 I have a customer with a stunning split-level limestone terrace / patio approx 125 sq metres laid about 4-5 months ago. He wants it sealed with Resiblock Colour Enhancer but it has a few small patches of efforescence.
I've contacted Resiblock for how best to proceed and they suggest pressure washing first,but in my experience with natural stone,particularly Indian Sandstone,this is purely a temporary fix. It doesn't permanently remove it and it soon returns.

As the enhancer will give it a wet look / black effect I'm thinking  this should cover the existing  efforescence and wondering if the protective layer that's formed once the Resiblock penetrates the surface will be sufficient to stop any rising to the surface?

I'd be grateful for any opinions or experience with similar issues.

Many thanks.

waterforce

  • Posts: 75
Re: Efforescence on limestone
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2016, 01:15:32 pm »
Be carefull some limestone/sandstone "wick" moisture from the sub base . Sometimes from the ingress of water into the pointed joint causing  a "reaction".  Sometimes "acidic" rain will start it all off .
 I would first decide what the problem stems from ...and go from there.
Sealing before laying would be the best/correct option...but we are too late for this.
Sealing it even with a breathable sealer (after) can/will cause problems.
Those with  expensive buffered shoes may offer a solution to your problem.

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Efforescence on limestone
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2016, 01:40:36 pm »
Hi,
 I have a customer with a stunning split-level limestone terrace / patio approx 125 sq metres laid about 4-5 months ago. He wants it sealed with Resiblock Colour Enhancer but it has a few small patches of efforescence.
I've contacted Resiblock for how best to proceed and they suggest pressure washing first,but in my experience with natural stone,particularly Indian Sandstone,this is purely a temporary fix. It doesn't permanently remove it and it soon returns.

As the enhancer will give it a wet look / black effect I'm thinking  this should cover the existing  efforescence and wondering if the protective layer that's formed once the Resiblock penetrates the surface will be sufficient to stop any rising to the surface?

I'd be grateful for any opinions or experience with similar issues.

Many thanks.

OK let's look at this logically.

If the patio is only 4/5 months old and it is exhibiting small localised areas of efflorescence then it follows that the efflorescence was probably created when the patio was laid.
Resiblocks solution of pressure washing it just goes to show how naive they are!  In fact it's frightening to hear they even said that!  Pressure washing efflorescence will exacerbate the problem as you will be feeding it.  Efflorescence needs  3 things to manifest itself.

Water
Salts
Route

If you remove any of the three then you stop the efflorescence.

I would in the first instance try removing the efflorescence with a dry sic brush on a rotary machine.  If that fails I would try some localised cleaning using Miracle heavy duty acidic cleaner.  Then I would deep clean the whole area and then leave it to dry for 48 Hours and then re check to ensure that the efflorescence has not re occurred. If it has just dry brush it and dry vac it off then check again 24 hours later.

Finally Resiblock is probably the last product in the World I would use on limestone.  Enhancing sealers need to be penetrating and breathable not topical resin sitting on the surface.  Finally if you are going to seal it with an enhancing sealer I would check an enhancer works by wiping it with a damp cloth to see if t darkens?  If it does get the clients approval by showing him.  Then if all is well I would seal it with penetrating enhancing sealer that is breathable such as Miracle 511 Seal & Enhance
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

waterforce

  • Posts: 75
Re: Efforescence on limestone
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2016, 01:50:47 pm »
Viola  ;D

Keiron Bradley

  • Posts: 55
Re: Efforescence on limestone
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2016, 05:24:51 pm »
Thank you very much for such comprehensive answers.
I'm glad you're equally dismissive of Resiblock suggestion to pressure wash.

As for the sealer I've obtained various samples and used on spare slabs with no adverse reaction  and it is the Resiblock that he likes.

Thanks again.

waterforce

  • Posts: 75
Re: Efforescence on limestone
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2016, 05:35:13 pm »
The "spare slabs" need to be laid,pointed, sealed and left to weather before you could draw a conclusion....I am surprised a mono rotary brush has never been mentioned.

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
Re: Efforescence on limestone New
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2016, 08:10:02 pm »
Thank you very much for such comprehensive answers.
I'm glad you're equally dismissive of Resiblock suggestion to pressure wash.

As for the sealer I've obtained various samples and used on spare slabs with no adverse reaction  and it is the Resiblock that he likes.

Thanks again.

Resiblock was designed for Block Paving.  It is not in my opinion designed for limestone or marble as both need to breathe.  If you apply Resiblock to any limestone you are in my opinion asking for trouble especially on a patio that size.  At the very  least I would ask Resiblock, Everbuild, or Sika outright to confirm they recommend it for use on limestone ??? Even though they state it is on there enhanced data sheet because they clearly and very specifically state it is not to be used on Marble or slate so I cannot understand why they say it s OK for Limestone unless they mean polished marble.

I am an Everbuild / Sika distributor and I won't even sell the stuff ???
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics