You are here:
- Home
- Education
- Votech Education
- Construction & Contractors
- Cleaning bluestone
Construction & Contractors/Cleaning bluestone
Advertisement
Question
We have numerous small spots (definitely not water - acid rain?) occurring on our bluestone terrace, installed 6 years ago at our home outside of Boston. These spots are new this spring. The terrace has never been sealed. How do we remove these spots, and should we seal it afterwards? Should we remove moss in between the stones? We like its appearance, when it's green, but can it do any damage to the terrace?
If the spots are white and chalky, it is probably efflorescence, which is salt crystals migrating up through the stone from the mortar bed. This ususally occurs in damp conditions. You can use HMK-R55 Intensive Cleaner from www.stonecareonline.org This should not damage the moss. Your stone should be sealed after you do the cleaning, but the stone needs to be completely dry in order to use the sealer. I suggest HMK S34 Silicone Impregnating Sealer.
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Torin Dixon
Expertise
Questions concerning Natural Stone Fabrication and Installation including: Marble, Granite, Limestone, Slate, Soapstone, Bluestone, and Travertine in Slabs and Tiles. Expert in natural stone cleaning, sealing, protection and restoration. Distributor of HMK Stone Care Products; Sealers, Cleaning Products, Stone Maintenance. Expert in stone and tile flooring, sealing and maintenance issues. Stain removal from stone. Importer and Distributor of slab stone for residential and commercial applications. Stone carving Stone restoration
Experience
I have worked in the Dimensional Stone Industry since 1977.
California Contractors License 1989
Former owner of Prestige Marble & Tile (So. Calif.)
Current owner of Elegance in Stone (Missoula, MT)
Current Owner of Montana Stone Gallery,LLC Missoula, MT
Owner of Stoncareonline.org Distributor of natural stone maintenance products
Organizations
Missoula Building Industry Association
Montana Building Industry Association
Flathead Building Association
National Association of Home Builders
Member of the Marble Institute of America
Former member of the National Tile Contractors Association
Publications
Slippery Rock Gazette-Stone Industry Publication
Education/Credentials
Journeyman Marble Mason, Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Union #2
California Contractors License 1989-1997
Montana Contractors Registration #42969
Importer of natural stone slabs. Owner-Director of Montana Stone Gallery a regional Importing and Distribution company located in Missoula, MT
Past/Present Clients
Thousands of commercial and residential installations of stone slabs and tile in bathrooms, kitchens, showers, flooring, fireplaces over a 34 year professional career.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.