Short-Questions

Fast solutions for complex problems

How do you get the haze off flagstone?

If the haze is light enough you can use cheese cloth to remove the haze or if more difficult then use diluted vinegar with cheese cloth and then buff dry. Make sure you don’t seal the flagstone before you get it completely clean or you may seal in the grout haze.

Can you cement over flagstone?

Flagstone can be laid over concrete, so you will not have to tear out your old patio. It can also be laid over a sand bed or directly on the bare ground. The flagstones that you are laying over the enlarged sand base should be about two inches thick for strength.

What is concrete haze?

When terracotta, quarry tile or brick floors are installed, grout haze or efflorescence are sometimes left on the surface. It is a buffered acid effective in removing the polymer component (additive) in concrete based grout. …

Is muriatic acid safe for flagstone?

Diluted Muriatic Acid Mix one part of muriatic acid into 10 parts of water. Pour the solution over the discolored flagstone. Use a soft bristled brush to gently scrub the stones. Thoroughly rinse the acid solution off the stones.

What do you clean flagstone with?

The best way to clean flagstone patio is with flagstone cleaner. It won’t stain or erode your stone and mortar. Don’t be afraid to clean flagstone with white vinegar diluted in equal parts of water. Cleaning flagstone with bleach is safe when following the usage directions printed on the label.

How do you remove mortar haze from stone?

Instructions

  1. Wet the Stones. Use a garden hose to fully saturate the stone.
  2. Dilute the Acid With Water. Put on safety goggles and long rubber gloves.
  3. Apply the Acid Solution. Brush the diluted acid solution onto the stone, using a stiff-bristled plastic brush.
  4. Scrub the Stones.
  5. Rinse the Stone.

Can I lay flagstone directly in soil?

Consider using flagstones that are at least 1-1/2 inches thick as stepping stones or patio flooring. With the latter, flagstones can be laid directly in soil or a bed of sand. Thinner slabs should be laid in wet mortar or concrete to prevent cracking when stepped on.

What do you grout flagstone with?

The basic recipe for this sort of mortar is 9 parts sand, 2 parts cement and 1 part hydrated lime. Mix these together well before adding the water. Add the water slowly until it reaches a texture that stands up when shaped. Don’t mix more mortar than you can use in just a few hours as it begins to stiffen over time.

Does vinegar remove grout haze?

If your tile is porcelain or ceramic, try a vinegar solution to remove grout haze. (With slate or stone, this is a no-no! Mix 1-part white vinegar to 4-parts water in a bucket or large spray bottle. Additional vinegar can be added for extra strength.

How can you tell if grout is epoxy?

Epoxy can also have a slightly plastic look to it, compared to the textured cement look of regular grout. Any epoxy residue left on tiles will have a glossy sheen to it, so must be cleaned thoroughly immediately after application.

What is the best way to clean flagstone?

Can you use a wire brush on flagstone?

Fine, get wire brushing. HINT, you will need to wire brush–if the flagstones are dirty enough that you feel they need a cleaning, then yeah, the wire brush is what it’s going to take. Wire brush each and every stone clean.

What can I use to get mortar off of flagstone?

When you are laying flagstone, you may get some mortar on the stones. With careful attention to detail, you can easily scrub the mortar off while it is still wet using a wire brush and some warm water. However, sometimes you may miss a little, and then you will have to use some serious cleaners to get…

Why is stone dust settling down in between flagstone?

Read that again–stone dust settling down in-between flagstone is a GOOD thing. Small voids may be left underneath your paving units–especially if you are using irregular natural stone. Even if you are using a more uniform paver, the gravel foundation may not compact 100 percent perfectly. Small voids may form.

Is it good to put stone in between flagstone?

Read that again–stone dust settling down in-between flagstone is a GOOD thing. Small voids may be left underneath your paving units–especially if you are using irregular natural stone. Even if you are using a more uniform paver, the gravel foundation may not compact 100 percent perfectly.

Is there a way to get white haze out of concrete?

Unfortunately, the chance of the white haze going away on its own with a 100%-solids product 1 to 2 inches thick is slim. You may need to grind out or chemically strip the coating from the sawcuts. When you go to reseal the cuts, make sure they are dry and fill them with multiple thin applications of epoxy vs. one thick application.