Advice and information on cleaning and caring for many common horizontal applications, including flagstone patios, walkways, pool decks, interior flooring, concrete pavers, and stone hearths and mantels.
Routine Maintenance
Flagstone patios and walkways generally require little maintenance beyond routine sweeping to remove debris that could, over time, cause organic staining or mold growth on the stone. However, occasional staining, mold or mildew growth may occur especially in areas of high moisture such as a pool or hot tub deck. To remove these types of stains, first, wet the stone surface with water. Bleach is a great product for killing mold and mildew on stone--try it in a small, sunny spot first to make sure it won't discolor the surface. Mild detergents are also good to try. Use a 50% bleach and water mixture, or a solution of diluted mild detergent, with a soft brush to gently scrub the stain. For tougher stains such as rust or grease, stronger chemicals may be necessary. Luck Stone recommends that a professional be called in for removal of these more difficult stains. Many of the chemicals used to remove these stains are highly toxic and require very careful handling and proper safety equipment to avoid injury to both the user and the stone. Contact your local mason, landscaper, or other stone expert for advice and information on removing tough stains from your flagstone.
Sealing
Sealing flagstone outdoors is not recommended. Topical sealers applied to stone that has already been installed may actually enhance the stone's susceptibility to staining and discoloration. Sealing stone outdoors leaves no escape route for moisture vapor that may enter the stone from the bottom. As a result, moisture is trapped and may cause a white film to develop and even cause parts of the sealer to bubble or peel. Once peeling occurs, removing the remainder of the sealer that does stay contacted is a very laborious task and requires additional chemicals.
If a sealer must be applied outside, a penetrating, sub-surface sealer is the best alternative. Always test the performance of your selected sealer before full application. Color changes may occur. These sealers, also called impregnators, usually allow moisture vapor to escape from within and are designed to keep droplets of moisture from being deeply absorbed into the stone. If this option is used, re-sealing is usually necessary. Time between resealing can vary greatly, depending on weather conditions and frequency of use. Wear of the stone and regular cleaning techniques will affect the performance of sealers.
Pavers
Cambridge PavingstonesTM do not need to be sealed because of their unique ArmorTec or EuroTec (dependent on product) topcoat. Keeping pavers free of debris with regular sweeping will help maintain their original beauty. For more information or specific questions about caring for your Cambridge PavingstonesTM, visit their website at www.cambridgepavers.com.
Driveways and Stone Mulching
Occasionally moss, mold, or mildew may occur on aggregate surfaces. To remove mild growth, mix a solution of 50% bleach and water in a spray bottle and spray onto stone, taking care not to breath in the mist, and to wear protective garments, eye protection, and gloves as a precaution. If this process does not achieve the desired results, brushing the stone may be necessary. This may require moving the stone to a flat surface if brushing the stone in its current location is not feasible or proves to be difficult.
Always test the solution in a small inconspicuous spot before spraying on the entire area. If brushing at installation site, and plants are nearby, the bleach should be diluted with extra water. Consulting with a local nursery or garden expert before proceeding, to avoid any negative effects on plants, is highly recommended.