Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: *Derek* on July 20, 2014, 11:47:24 am

Title: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: *Derek* on July 20, 2014, 11:47:24 am
Can i get an opinion on this.

Surface has been powerwashed not by us. Poor results.

I was thinking of using either Hypo or high alkaline cleaner, Aggitation and either vac or powerwash off.


Any other suggestions for me?
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: *Derek* on July 20, 2014, 12:24:42 pm
more pictures
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: chris scott on July 20, 2014, 03:59:32 pm
Looks like very badly laid sandstone not limestone . With (hard to tell from pictures but possible) residual sealer and black spot. Image 1
Leave it alone...unless the customer likes to pay.
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: BDCS on July 20, 2014, 05:41:57 pm
Looks like they have had brick acid on it - I too agree there are easier ways of earning a crust  ;D I would wet blast a section to see what happens and go from there
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: drive surgeon on July 20, 2014, 08:57:17 pm
Isn't that York stone. It's not limestone
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: Kev Martin on July 21, 2014, 05:33:22 pm
Clean it as follows

Pre wet
Apply high alkaline scrub in with a manual rotary scrubber
Apply honing powder and scrub so the surface ends up with an overall even appearance
Then rinse
wet vac
rinse and vac again
then seal

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: chris scott on July 21, 2014, 07:58:30 pm
Quote from: Kevin Martin on July 21, 2014, 05:33:22 pm
Clean it as follows

Pre wet
Apply high alkaline scrub in with a manual rotary scrubber
Apply honing powder and scrub so the surface ends up with an overall even appearance
Then rinse
wet vac
rinse and vac again
then seal

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
Did you get the gay clay?
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: Kenny83 on July 21, 2014, 10:16:47 pm
Looks like it's been layed on concrete just spotted around to hold the slabs in place, as opposed to being layed on a full solid bed, this is usually what the after effects are
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: *Derek* on July 21, 2014, 11:24:35 pm
More feedback.

I did a test area with high alkaline solution and test patch came out well but not all black spots came off. I don't think surface was sealed before.

The previous company who cleaned it damaged all the grout. It was perfect before that and never got black spots either.

Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: Kev Martin on July 22, 2014, 06:20:27 am
Add honing  powder

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: chris scott on July 22, 2014, 10:03:45 pm
Quote from: *Derek* on July 21, 2014, 11:24:35 pm
More feedback.

I did a test area with high alkaline solution and test patch came out well but not all black spots came off. I don't think surface was sealed before.

The previous company who cleaned it damaged all the grout. It was perfect before that and never got black spots either.


Be careful ...I think the customer is telling you porkies. The pointing looks like it has failed "naturally" and most (not maintained) sandstone has lichen growing on it.
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: *Derek* on July 22, 2014, 10:09:14 pm
You might be right Chris!

Thanks Kevin, We'll give it a go!
Title: Re: Cleaning Limestone flags
Post by: Roger Oakley on July 23, 2014, 12:07:14 pm
Badly laid & badly maintained Sandstone, Charge accordingly to clean & seal this.