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Hi there, I can sympathise with this. Had this problem a couple of years ago( sometimes it occurs, Sometimes not)!!. As a result I have a clause in my TaCs stating that a chemical reaction is possible, I also have a clause for the customer to keep a small retainer if we cannot point due to weather, keeps cash flow moving. Stand your ground, people may not agrree, but in this case the customer is not always right. Ask her to go to a new development and look at the salts coming out of the brickwork below dpc. If your in the right DO NOT BACK DOWN, I did this once and it cost me. Good Luck.
what did you use for pointing as its all over the face of the black limestone
whats all over the face of the limestone?
Mick Gammage said:
along most of the joints varying from 10mm - 20mm and in the puddle of water is cement coloured staining from what ever you used to point the joints
Difficult to see as the slabs are wet, but the staining round the edges of the paving does look like pointing stains. Was sand/cement used? We have found that this type of paving needs a CLEAN sponge off regularly as you go. How long have the slabs been down? Efflorescence will appear naturally after a while on some slabs as has been said and will eventually stop. Have you tried cleaning the slabs? Efflorescence will wash off - cement stains wont, but brick cleaning acid should do the trick.
i used black dye in the cement as ask to use from the lady, but told her it might stain the slabs slightly, but these marks have now gone, i will take another pic today when i go to take another look, the only thing she is moaning about is the salt marks, and she is trying to tell me that it is my fault and not exeptable, i have tried to explain to her but she will not believe me, that is why i am going round there today with 11 pages down loaded from pavingexpert.com all about efflorescence to show i am not to blame for the salt rising
Mick Gammage said:
Limestone is such a sod of a stone to work with, in my opinion! Everything that touches it stains it, so you have my sympathies, I now try and guide clients away from limestone if they are looking for that dark look towards a dark slate or even a dark sandstone.
This is only a personal opinion also, but I wouldn't put brick cleaning acid anywhere near limestone, I tested some on a spare piece once and the effects were not pretty!
Most suppliers brochures have a section of efflorescence in the back, I've found that showing clients this can help them understand the problem and it's not just your word but the paving manufactures themselves.
I would sooner get the supplier to give you some documentation or speak to her on the phone. Or how her all the major mftrs brochures as they all have efflourescence warnings on the natural stone sections.
I feel for you as i'm currently in debate with a customer who think their sandstone patio dries to light compared to other patios of the same flags, thankfully its the suppliers problem but i'm acting as intermediary until i can put them together.
It is important to be firm but professional.
How long has it been down? Whilst in theory it can go on for years i have never seen it last longer than 3-4 months on a natural stone patio.
absolute pig to point with black cement. Personally i think natural finish looks better on them anyway as the black pointing fades to a light grey quite quickly, most customers seem to chose it as well. I find you have to almost point it up like a tile with a damp sponge to remove any excess immediatly. It is a pig to work with and a bugger to cut. I would shy away from brick acid on any natural paving unless its tested first. Youre much better using an offcut and rubbing with that and some water or a wire brush.
It does look from the photo like cement staining to the edges of the slabs, is there a more recent photo?
I SBR the back of all paving to stop any staining from bleeding to the surface and joint the paving using Marshalls Weatherpoint 365 a brush in product and is available in buff or grey or Easipoint which is available in a variety of colours what you apply with a gun and have various size nozzle depending on the width of the joint
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