Black Limestone - cock up - Forum - Landscape Juice Network

Hi Guys.We finished off a small paving job last week - approx 30m2, the client chose Black Limestone.We have never used this exact stone befor, but over the last 10years have laid huge m2 of Sandstone, and others. In my naivety I treated it much the same.On the finial day of the job after pointing the joints with Azpecs easy joint - basalt colour we just touched up the odd spot of mortar staining with diluted brick acid as we normally do, and it a good wash off and left one extremely happy customer.Over the weekend the client contacted me concerned about white staining patches he could not shift with his own pressure washer. I called in tonight and it looks awful, I'm embarrassed. Now after allot a research I can see we have seriously cocked up usinng acid on limestone - seems so obvious now but if you don't know hindsight is a wonderful thing.Now, please, is there a way of removing these stains effectivly? Or should I bite the bullet and relay with new at my cost (and leave the acid at home next time!)

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Replies

Thermo September 19, 2017 at 8:31pm

we all make mistakes! im guessing you've got some nice pinkish stains or similar on the slabs? as far as im aware the answer is in the last line of your question!
Matt Johnson September 20, 2017 at 7:17pm

Unfortunately I think you are going to need to relay. Im not sure there is any other option.
PRO

Mick Gammage September 20, 2017 at 9:35pm

try this

https://www.azpects.co.uk/products/easyseal-back-to-black.aspx

Revive Faded Limestone - EASYSeal Back to Black Limestone

EASYSeal Back to Black Limestone is a penetrating resin that transforms & exaggerates the look of Black Limestone, while providing a stain & water re…
Brian hepburn September 21, 2017 at 9:13am

Hi Mark what exactly is the condition of the lime stone at the moment do you have any pics of it at the moment I wouldn't go ripping it up as yet as I saved a lot of limestone before it is a hard material to get used to as it so porous it stains so easily do not seal it as yet as you will never get it back out we can get this fixed between us
PRO Supplier

Progreen Weed Control September 21, 2017 at 1:16pm

How about the black powder colourant for adding to pointing mixes - light overwash with a dilution of water: powder ? Never tried it...but might be worth a go before re-laying..?
PRO

Pembrokeshire Gardening September 21, 2017 at 7:50pm

Stain the whole lot black with some stain.. (i spilt some on my concrete path and seems to have permanently stained it black)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/cuprinol-fence-treatment-black-9ltr/3828...

Cuprinol Fence Treatment Black 9Ltr

Order online at Screwfix.com. Advanced wax-enriched, water-based, non-drip formulation that colours and weatherproofs sheds and fences for up to 5 ye…
- Brian hepburn > Pembrokeshire Gardening September 21, 2017 at 8:11pm
  
  Why would you want to stain it black it's lime stone is needs sealed but to do that it has to be clean
Mark Richardson September 22, 2017 at 7:18am

Hi everyone thanks for your comments and support.
I decided to put myself if the clients shoes and I took the bull by the horns and Wednesday we took up about half the Limestone (badly stained white acid marks) and relayed new. It was a tuff day on the breaker but with all three of us on the job we had 15m2 of fresh laid by home time.

I'm heading over this morning to point up, - and get paid! Clients have been very understanding and appreciate my honesty and dealing with the issue,

A valuable lesson learnt - Wickes patio cleaner and Black Limestone No No!
- PRO
  
  Phil Voice > Mark Richardson September 22, 2017 at 7:29am
  
  Very honourable Mark.
  
  Not the best result for you, I.m sure but excellent client relations exercise and learning curve.
  
  Well done:)
- Brian hepburn > Mark Richardson September 22, 2017 at 7:48am
  
  When laying limestone mark it should be sealed before laying or if your very clean at laying it can be done after but has to be sealed