Just because your Black Limestone patio has begun to lose its pristine appearance, it doesn’t mean that you need a whole new patio. Although this particular type of material is prone to defects and spots, it’s still a highly versatile and long-lasting stone. And the solution for those marks and stains could be much simpler than you think.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common faults with Black Limestone Paving, explaining how you can tackle them, and which materials you’ll need to do so. If you’re in any doubt about an issue with your Black Limestone, our RF Paving team are always here to help.
How Does Black Limestone Become Damaged?
Many of the most common Black Limestone issues are a result of a chemical reaction. When exposed to varying temperatures, moisture levels, direct sunlight, and damp earth, Black Limestone can lose its colour and fade. And, unfortunately, all of these conditions are found on properties throughout the United Kingdom.
Even in the notoriously-rainy United Kingdom, the UV rays in sunlight can quickly fade Black Limestone slabs to a light grey. Slightly acidic rainfall only makes it worse. Stains, mineral deposits, and grime can also appear and make your Black Limestone unsightly.
How Can You Solve Black Limestone Issues?
So now that you’re aware of some of the most common Black Limestone issues, we should talk about a solution, shouldn’t we? These are some of the different ways that you can prepare for and remove some common Black Limestone issues.
Cleaning Black Limestone
Sometimes it can be as simple as giving your patio a good scrub. With some warm soapy water and elbow grease, you can remove light stains and dirt. For these simple and unsightly marks, you can use a gentle soap solution. Leave it on top of the slabs for at least ten minutes before scrubbing away with water.
But for other more tough stains, such as grime stains, you’re going to need to use specific products when cleaning your Black Limestone slabs. Grout Stain Removers and other Paving Cleaners will remove tough stains, but more on that later.
Faded Black Limestone Colours
When you use the wrong Limestone cleaning solution, you can end up doing an awful lot of damage. This is particularly true if you use brick acid on Black Limestone. This will quickly remove all of the natural oils and the deep, rich colour.
Once that acid interacts with the Black Limestone, you’ll be left with a faded, weak, and boring patio. Black Limestone oils will replace the strong appearance and revive the colour. You’ll need to spend some time cleaning, drying, and treating the stones.
Sealing Black Limestone
Sealants will do an excellent job of preserving the look of your patio slab. But more than that, they’ll also protect the material and ensure that its condition remains untouched no matter what the weather does.
There are many different Black Limestone sealants on the market, so you’ll need to do your research and select the best-suited product. Make sure that it’s an outdoor, black limestone-specific sealant, as indoor sealants won’t be designed to handle the elements outdoors. When used and sealed correctly, with something like our Colour Enhancer Paving Sealer, your slabs should be protected and full of their famous colour. Our RV Paving team will be happy to recommend the product that suits your patio best.
Using Bleach to Remove Spots
Elbow grease won’t remove grime stains and other mineral stains. Unfortunately, these complex spots need a chemical solution to be removed.
But we can’t stress this enough – make sure that you’re using the correct product for the correct mineral stain. Grout stain removers and very slightly acidic solutions will battle these stains and get your black limestone appearance back to its best. Follow the recommended procedure, and be sure to test a small section of your slab with the solution before applying it to the whole arrangement.
Black Limestone with RV Paving
If you’re looking for strong, durable, and attractive black limestone paving, then you’ll find what you’re looking for with our RF Paving team. Our team know everything there is to know about black limestone, and we’ll make sure that you have all the advice you need to take care of your patio properly.
Check our range of Paving and find the product you love the most. We’ll be sure that whatever limestone you buy, you’ll have all the advice and sealant solutions you need to prolong the famous black limestone colour. Explore our range of Paving Sealants & Cleaners today.