flag stone problem

[Calob]

went to look at a job today. The flag stone around the pool has no sealer on it anymore, and now the stone has begun to flake and chip off. It is pitted pretty bad in some areas. There is also dirt and white stains on the stones as well. (calcium build i guess). Has anyone else seen something like this, how do you go about handling it? Real soft wash then a good sealer?? I would love to help this guy out, and get more business in the area. But if this kind of job is too advanced for my level of profession, then i really dont want to attemp on someone elses property.

 

[Doug Rucker]

Call Mike at Eaco Chem, he can help you.

 

[Calob]

Call Mike at Eaco Chem, he can help you.

Thanks Doug, will do. Where this pool sits the sun is just beating away at it for most of the day.

 

[Calob]

Spoke with mike about 20 min ago. Real nice guy, very helpful. He suggested to use a chem called NMD 80 for the cleaning portion of the job. Its a type of acid chem. Keep it wet for at least 3 min before rinse. But he said he didnt know enough on sealers to suggest one to use. Now i just got to find out that part. Cause its got be to strong enough to keep any further flaking of the stone from happening. 'Just wanted to give update on info'

 

[New Look]

Spoke with mike about 20 min ago. Real nice guy, very helpful. He suggested to use a chem called NMD 80 for the cleaning portion of the job. Its a type of acid chem. Keep it wet for at least 3 min before rinse. But he said he didnt know enough on sealers to suggest one to use. Now i just got to find out that part. Cause its got be to strong enough to keep any further flaking of the stone from happening. 'Just wanted to give update on info'

It is highly unlikely you will find a sealer to prevent flaking. The flagstone in the above pic is a low-end flagstone where the the "layers" of stone that make up the flagstone are not bonded together that well. Your top end type flagstone does not have the characteristics of "flaking" or part of it flaking off. A particular type comes to mind - 3 river rock.

Sealing the flagstone in the above pics will certainly help to protect the stone but it will not make it stronger as it relates to it "bonding". Eventually (sooner vs. later) it will continue to flake. Looking at the pics I can only assume that years and years of tear finally has the customer thinking about doing something to "fix it". Unfortunately applying a sealant will do very little to this particular type of flagstone.

 

[Calob]

Carlos, I kind of figuring that it was cheap material when the pool was built. But the bad thing is that the house in a new development. I belive he said the house and pool was 4 years old.. So a sealer will buy him a little time, but not going to fix it indefinitely?

 

[archie_MN]

It is highly unlikely you will find a sealer to prevent flaking. The flagstone in the above pic is a low-end flagstone where the the "layers" of stone that make up the flagstone are not bonded together that well. Your top end type flagstone does not have the characteristics of "flaking" or part of it flaking off. A particular type comes to mind - 3 river rock.

Sealing the flagstone in the above pics will certainly help to protect the stone but it will not make it stronger as it relates to it "bonding". Eventually (sooner vs. later) it will continue to flake. Looking at the pics I can only assume that years and years of tear finally has the customer thinking about doing something to "fix it". Unfortunately applying a sealant will do very little to this particular type of flagstone.

I learned something today. Thanks Carlos.

 

[Calob]

After gathering info from everyone, i belive i am just going to pass the received info to the customer. And allow him to make a decision from there. Dont think i want to step into any problems i can avoid. Thanks for yalls input.
"Carlos, I was telling my bud that does all kinds of stone work about this pool and he just kept shaking his head. Said pretty much same thing...it wont be long before the stone has to be replaced."

 

[Doug Black]

If the stone has any real thickness it looks like it could make it quite a while before it has to be replaced. Definitely worth protecting.