How to Protect Your Indian Sandstone During the Colder Months
21st December 2021Winter is upon us and it’s time to say goodbye to your patios and outdoor paving areas for the next few months. If you have an Indian sandstone installation, then it will need to be prepped to cope with the onslaught of winter weather. Strong winds, rain, ice and snow can all damage the quality of your sandstone paving if you don’t take the necessary protection steps.
Clear debris from your slabs
Choose a day when the weather is mild and give your paving a good sweep with a stiff brush. This will remove any lingering surface dirt or debris and can help to prevent mould or fungus developing over the colder season. If you notice any stains such as mud, beverages or oil, then use a mild soapy solution to clean the surface of your sandstone paving. Sandstone paving will nearly always be accompanied by a mortar joint / jointing compound as they are rigidly laid paving systems. Pressure washing the area will need to be left to dry for a minimum of 14 days due to the colder temperatures in Winter.
Sealing your sandstone
The best way to protect your installation and make sure it still looks pristine after a harsh winter season is to use Indian sandstone sealer to create a strong layer of defence against the weather. The sealer is invisible but powerfully resists any development of staining or algae for up to 5 years, making it a great long-term investment. It is UV resistant too, so you don’t need to worry about your sandstone fading in strong sunlight during the summer.
If your sandstone installation is brand-new, then you will need to wait a minimum of 8 weeks before you can seal it.
Application
Indian sandstone sealer is a one coat solution that offers a deep penetrating formula – this infiltrates the paving and forms a barrier against dirt and fluid damage. Again, make sure you choose a day or weekend when rain isn’t forecast as the paving does need to be bone-dry before you can apply your sealer.
To apply your sealer, simply use a roller to gently move the solution into place. If you notice any build-up of the product, particularly in any natural dips or depressions in the stone these should be removed using a clean cloth, roller or sponge.
Drying time
Once you have applied your sealer to the surface of your paving, you will need to wait for it to dry. In 20-degree Celsius heat, this can take as little as 3 hours, but if the temperature is colder, then you might need to wait up to 8 hours before foot traffic can walk on top of the surface. Your sandstone installation will be fully cured after 24 hours.
Indian sandstone sealer queries
Ideally, you should be carrying out these steps when the temperature falls between 3 to 30 degrees Celsius – it may be possible to use Indian sandstone sealer outside of this range, but you should always check with our technical department first. Resiblock is available to speak to on 01268 273344 or by email at [email protected].