Efflorescence (Salt) On my new Patio after sealing

ITtim

Hi All,



Last summer we had a new Patio laid, its Black Indian sandstone. We asked the guy who laid it to seal the Patio which he did and it looked great.


A few months later we noticed what I now know is Efflorescence showing through in some areas. A builder advised me that WD40 on those areas would help and sure enough it did.


Now fast forward to the present day, I pressure washed the patio using the patio brush the other day, once it dried out I was left with a patio that looks nothing like the one I had in the summer. The slabs look a mess.


So my question is, was it sealed correctly? Can i seal it again? is there anything else I can do?

societys_child

Efflorescence is caused by salts in the stone coming to the surface. "Sealing" wont prevent this happening.


The action of the salts, plus the pressure washing, has probably partly removed whatever was used as a sealant, whether it was applied correctly or not.
Reapplying sealant might restore the appearance. Who knows . .


People sometimes seal block paving, it doesn't last.