[Matt Gibson]

Hi guys,

Got a job coming up, full exterior clean.. roof/drive/paths etc..

There is also a rear patio area, which is a smooth limestone slab. Customer says it gets very very slippery with the slightest amount of water, even though its not green or mossy. He wants to know if there is anything i can put on it after its been cleaned to give it some grip. Ive only really used impregnating sealers in my past life, and never really had to deal with the whole non-slip issue.

Any ideas?

He doesnt want to alter the appearance TOO much, but i told him most non-slip cures are topical. He just wants to find some middle ground but is open to all ideas.

Cheers,

Matt

[terrazzoman]

hone the surface......

[Floor_Tony]

Hone the surface as Tony has said you could use honing powder for this then seal with penetrating sealer. Going down the anti slip route will cause him more problems with maintaining it.

Or Bush hammer it.......

[Matt Gibson]

I did mention to him that the best way to achieve non slip would be to abrade the surface, but i dont have the equipment to do it. I also mentioned that any kind of sealer used to create a non slip surface would need regular maintenance/re-application.

He just wants it non slip, is worried about the kids/wife.

ill have a chat with a local guy to see if he wants a go at it. How heavy grit should be used? the heaviest?

[terrazzoman]

we do 60 to 100 grit hone ............externally  I would go to 60 grit

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers for the input guys, appreciate it.

Will a 60 grit alter the appearance much? I mean, will it look rough? The slabs themselves look really nice. I dont really want to turn them into a pitted brick looking slab.

[terrazzoman]

if it is done properly it will look fine......I have completed last week 100m2 of internal limestone looked perfect
it was sealed after with 2 coats of a quality water based product

[jim mca]

Matt if you need a hand I know a guy with all the kit who doesn't charge you too much 

[Matt Gibson]

if it is done properly it will look fine......I have completed last week 100m2 of internal limestone looked perfect
it was sealed after with 2 coats of a quality water based product

Cheers mate, as long as its not slippery, i think he should be fine with it..

[Matt Gibson]

Matt if you need a hand I know a guy with all the kit who doesn't charge you too much  

Mate i hope he doesnt charge much 

Ill have a chat to him next week when im back, and maybe get a test done? ill let you know..

[Roger Oakley]

Doing tons of this surface lately, alkaline based cleaner and not sealed, never had a problem, book then them in as year on year maintenance clean.

[Matt Gibson]

Are you doing anything about making it non slip roger? Or just cleaning it. this stuff isnt actually that dirty, all he was worried about was it being slippery. im assuming once its honed it will need to be cleaned more often as the dirt will accumulate easier?

[Roger Oakley]

Just cleaning Matt, one we do every year has no problem with it until it starts to get dirty and algae forms, it is a polished Limestone

[Matt Gibson]

Ahh ok mate.. Cheers

[Kev Martin]

Matt

Yopu will do it very quickly with a 60 or 100 grit honing powder and a Tynex Brush mate.  It will clean it and improve the grip at the same time.  Then se3al it with a water based impregnating sealer like this:

http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/products/aqua-mix/sealers/aqua-mix-penetrating-sealer.aspx

This will be very reasonable for all products then as Roger says book him in to have it done once a year!

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
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[Matt Gibson]

Cheers guys, appreciate the feed back. I will have a chat with him next week when we are back to do all the other stuff.