Bluestone is a beautiful material which never goes out of fashion. It’s one of the most popular options on the market, due to its aesthetic appeal, durability and easy maintenance. Whether you’re using the stone for a patio or a walkway, if you want to protect your bluestone pavers from damage and breakage, read on. We’ve compiled a list of our top protection tips, so you can keep your pavers looking beautiful well into the future.
Cleaning
While bluestone is one of the most attractive options on the market, it has very porous surface – making it susceptible to stains. Keeping them generally clean and well cared for will go a long way to protecting your bluestone pavers and preventing damage from occurring. Give the pavers a wipe down with a soft dry cloth every couple of days to keep dust and dirt from building up. Once a month you should use a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid and warm water to mop the stones. Take note of the cleaning products you use – if they’re too strong you may be doing further damage and altering the composition of the stones surface.
Sealing
Sealing your tiles will help protect your bluestone pavers from stains and general wear and tear, so it should be completed very soon after laying. With a paint roller, apply your sealer to the pavers – a visible liquid layer should sit atop the stones for at least 30 seconds before absorbing. Leave it to penetrate for 10 minutes, and then use a squeegee to remove the excess, or scrape it over to an unsealed area to avoid wastage. After half an hour you can apply a second layer if you’d like or as per the instructions on your product. Once you’ve completed the steps again, use a dry cloth to remove any residue. After six hours you can walk on the area, but try to keep it dry for at least 12 hours.
Organic Stain Removal
Occasionally you’ll find that your stones need a bit more than general cleaning to keep them looking their best. Organic stains, like those caused by decaying leaves, will often be bleached away by the sun. If you want to give them an extra hand leaving, then an ammonia and hydrogen peroxide solution can be used. For stains caused by mildew or algae growth, mix water with either ammonia, bleach or hydrogen peroxide (choose only one chemical – don’t mix them).
Petrol Stain Removal
Petrol and oil are slightly harder to remove from your pavers than organic matter, and there are a number of ways you can go about it. The most common is with a dishwashing liquid and warm water solution. For fresh oil stains, try using cat litter to draw it out from your stones and let it sit for a few hours. If you like this idea but your stain is older, lime and kerosene can have the same effect – plus it helps remove the smell as well. One surprising method that often doesn’t work is actually oil degreaser. This is because it’s designed for fresh oil (which your stain might not be) and non-absorbent surfaces (which your bluestone pavers definitely aren’t). If you decide to try this, pour the degreaser onto the surface and let it sit for 20 minutes before spraying it away with the garden hose, or using more warm water and dish soap on top.
Though these stones are incredibly beautiful, they do need fairly constant attention to keep them from becoming damaged. However, by following the steps we’ve outlined in this guide, you should find it easy to protect your bluestone pavers. If you want more specific help or professional advice, contact your local experts.