How do I remove white marks (Calcium Carbonate Deposits) from the surface of Slate

DESCRIPTION:  Slate is basically squashed mud and silt from ancient oceans and river beds subjected to tremendous pressures in a hot environment deep underground. Eventually being forced to the surface by the collision of continents. Slate is hundred’s of million’s of years old. It is possible to get deposits of limestone and marble pebbles or stones, which crush between the layers of silt and then harden to form a calciferous deposit. This is normally visible on the surface of slate after it has been split. It is not a defect, but a natural characteristic of the stone. Aesthetically these deposits are not always appealing, so the following is a guide, which should help aid their removal.

LTP Grout Stain Remover or LTP Cement, Grout & Salt Residue Remover is applied to the surface.

The moment it makes contact with the calcium carbonate deposit it begins to dissolve.

Agitating the surface using a black emulsifying pad aids removal without damaging. Make sure to clean the whole surface and not just the deposit. Rinse well with plenty of water.

Once dry the surface is sealed with LTP Colour Intensifier and Stainblock.

After treatment the slate should appear darker. This also helps to further disguise the blemish that is left following the removal of the calcium carbonate deposit.

Sealed surfaces should be maintained with a mild PH detergent such as LTP  Waxwash.

Repeated use of stronger detergents for maintenance can cause un-necessary damage.

INITIAL CLEANING: LTP GROUT STAIN REMOVER OR LTP CEMENT, GROUT & SALT RESIDUE REMOVER     1ltr & 5ltr

• This should be done after fixing and before sealing and grouting to remove calcium carbonate deposits, dust and dirt that have accumulated during the production and fixing process.  Apply undiluted solution to the surface of the stone and agitate immediately with an emulsifying pad. Rinse thoroughly with a separate pot of clean fresh water. Wipe away the released calcium dirt and grime with a mop or sponge and water and leave to dry for 24 hrs

https://www.ltp-online.co.uk/prod/ltp-grout-stain-remover

https://www.ltp-online.co.uk/prod/ltp-cement-grout-and-salt-residue-remover

SEALING:  LTP COLOUR INTENSIFIER           500ml, 1ltr & 5ltr

• Before grouting apply a coat of LTP Colour Intensifier & Stainblock, check that all of the sealer has been fully absorbed within 40 minutes, any excess that remains on the surface after 40 minutes should be worked in with a soft cloth or buffing machine. Leave for a further 4 hours or overnight before grouting the joints. Once all residual grout has been removed and the surface and joints are thoroughly dry; apply a final coat of sealer covering the joints as well. Buff to remove any excess within 40 minutes and then leave for a minimum of 3 days to fully harden before making excessively wet.

https://www.ltp-online.co.uk/prod/ltp-colour-intensifier-and-stainblock

MAINTENANCE:               LTP WAXWASH                            1ltr & 5ltr

DAILY/WEEKLY

• Add 1 cap full of LTP Waxwash per litre of warm water. Apply to the surface with a mop to remove daily dirt and leave to dry. Does not require rinsing.  Using the correct low ph maintenance cleaner will help to increase the life of the seal.

https://www.ltp-online.co.uk/prod/ltp-waxwash

IMPORTANT NOTES:

When cleaning or sealing vertical surfaces start at the top and work down.

Provided the surfaces are correctly sealed and maintained protection should last 4 – 5 years before considering applying a top up coat. Sealing will not prevent wear from abrasion.

After Intensive cleaning to remove any ingrained dirt or other staining and once dry, always test for moisture ingress. If evident cleaned areas should be re-sealed.

When using LTP Grout Stain Remover or LTP Cement, Grout & Salt Residue Remover, gloves should be worn and ensure you fully read & understand the directions for use.

For detailed application instructions please see Technical Data Sheets.

How should I clean my patio?

Nothing beats the pristine look of a newly installed patio but after a long, hot spell and lots of use – or a cold, damp winter – it can start to look a little jaded.  Paving slabs can become stained by food & drink, sun lotion, animals, plants & leaves and other outside elements.  But, with a little effort and the correct tools, slabs can very quickly be restored.

Jet washing may seem like the best method for a fast clean but it will only wash dirt off the surface of the slabs. High pressure water will also damage grout joints. A specialist treatment, on the other hand, will react with the dirt and organic matter, and will help break it down.

A deep & thorough clean

To properly remove stains and ingrained dirt, we recommend a thorough wash with deep cleaner and stain remover, LTP Grimex. Before cleaning, remove furniture, pots and other objects, and sweep the slabs to remove any leaves and residue. Then, test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area.

How to apply LTP Grimex:

To remove mild staining, dilute one part of Grimex with 10 parts of warm water. Wash the surface thoroughly, using a brush or garden broom, and rinse with clean water. For more severe staining, dilute one part of Grimex with 3 parts of warm water. Agitate with a scrubbing brush and leave to act for 5-10 minutes, adding more solution to keep the surface wet.  Sweep up any residue and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

If your patio is prone to slippery black spot, lichen, moss and algae, it will benefit from a targeted treatment with LTP Blackspot & Algae Remover. This solution is designed to break down microspores and black spot ‘hyphae’ before they colonise and it’s acid-free, so safe to use on acid-sensitive stone. However, it does contain a bleaching action to remove stains, so test first on an inconspicuous area.

How to apply LTP Blackspot & Algae Remover:

Remove furniture and other items from the area to be treated. Apply neat Blackspot onto clean pavers with a plastic watering can or light pressure garden spray. Leave to absorb for 2-4 hours; the product will begin to fizz as it gets to work. Hose off thoroughly with clean water.

Replacing lost grout

Once you’ve cleaned your patio and it’s dry, it’s an ideal time to replace any lost jointing sand or cement mortar. This will stop the ingress of water and will help protect paving during the freeze and thaw cycle in the winter.

Added protection

If your patio hasn’t been sealed, consider applying a protective treatment. We recommend LTP External Stone Sealer for natural stone and LTP Porcelain Tile Protector for matt porcelain pavers. Both treatments are non-film forming and will help prevent the absorption of moisture and organic particles, reducing staining and the spread of algae, mould and black spot.

LTP External Stone Sealer is a water-based, impregnating sealer that’s applied using a foam roller or paint brush. It can be used over residual moisture and will protect pavers from moisture, stains, weathering and efflorescence. It’s also UV resistant and non-yellowing.

LTP Porcelain Tile Protector creates a barrier against organic matter and makes ongoing maintenance easier. On newly laid tiles, it also protects against staining and helps increase working times.

For advice on patio cleaning and protection, please contact LTP on tel. 01823 666213 or email info@ltp-online.co.uk

 

Don’t let aftercare be an after thought

Getting a customer to invest in good maintenance products isn’t easy.  Having bought new tiles – and possibly other ancillaries – they’re generally not terribly receptive to an ‘aftercare sales pitch’.  The problem is that when it comes to natural materials, people really do need to be educated.  And, the introduction of so many fabulous natural-effects has made this even more imperative…

A few years ago, I received a call from the owner of a London-based cleaning business needing help.  One of its clients had invested thousands on a renovation which included new bathrooms; they had commissioned a fairly unique vein cut marble which had been mechanically polished to a high sheen. The cost of the marble and installation was around £10,000.   Starting at the top of the walls, one of the cleaners applied a spray detergent and left it to run down the face of the brown-toned marble. The detergent was a general-purpose kitchen and bathroom cleaner, designed to remove limescale and dirt.   On a marble-effect porcelain or ceramic surface, this probably wouldn’t have caused too much of an issue.   But because the product was highly acidic, contact with the delicate polished marble caused etching and irreversible damage to the whole of the wall surface. In some instances, an attempt could have been made to re-burnish the marble, to polish out the damage, but the amount of water needed and the size of the bathroom ruled this out.

The huge improvement in digital print technology has, in many ways, compounded this problem.  Tile manufacturers have become incredibly good at copying natural materials like marble.  As a result, some people might not recognise an authentic material or realise that it needs to be treated differently.   Multiple surface finishes may then be maintained with the same general purpose ‘tough on grime’ product, rather than a more gentle pH neutral detergent that would provide a safer – and just as effective – solution.

At the property in London, the insurers are still trying to decide who’s responsible and who should pay for the damage caused. It materialised that the marble suppliers didn’t offer any maintenance advice at the point of sale and the installers didn’t give any guidance on aftercare. The architects who commissioned the marble for the client didn’t specify a sealer or provide any care advice – and the cleaners couldn’t have been expected to know the difference between a glazed engineered tile and polished marble. If the correct advice had been given at anystage, the damage might not have happened.

Shockingly, the cleaner that caused the damage cost just 64p.  A concentrated, specialist neutral detergent probably wouldn’t have cost any more, per wash.   As awful as this sorry story is, it serves as a good example; it’s also worth offering that best practice advice, no matter how prickly the customer might be.

For information on caring for natural surfaces, visit http://www.ltp-online.co.uk, tel. 01823 666213 or email info@ltp-online.co.uk.  Or, for instant advice on-the go, visit www.ltp-productguide.co.uk

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