Natural Limestone Natural Stone Paving

Please see our 'How to lay Natural Stone paving guide' for laying information

Natural stone colour and maintenance

All natural stone products (Sandstone, Limestone, Slate and Granite) will have colour and texture variation to a greater or lesser extent within single pieces and from piece to piece. We recommend a reasonable amount of product is viewed at your local stockist before ordering. Natural stone products may contain minor imperfections. These will
depend on the characteristics of the product i.e. fossils, ferns, veining and quartz. Natural stone may develop added marking, deposits or patches as mineral content oxidises.
Product should be mixed from a number of packs prior to installation. Natural stone should always be laid on a full wet mortar bed.
A slurry primer (such as Bradbond) is recommended to be applied to the underside of all Natural Stone paving but is essential for Smooth Natural Sandstone, Natural Slate,
Riverwashed Limestone and Granite paving prior to laying to improve adhesion.

Limestone

Indian Blue/Black Limestone is UV sensitive and over time will lighten in colour. We do recommend sealing limestone prior to laying, or as soon after laying when practically
possible. Combined colour enhancers and sealers are available that will help keep the look for longer. Never use acidic based products during or after installation.

Slurry Primer

The British Standard recommends that a slurry primer (should as Bradbond) should be applied to the underside of all paving prior to laying to improve adhesion

Differential Weathering

Differential weathering can cause patchy dark discolourations on the surface of individual units. Again this will generally diminish over time and will not affect long term
performance. This is due to differential weathering where the surface of the paving has cured at different rates. All decorative products will weather and change appearance
over time.

Efflorescence

Efflorescence can appear on all paving products as white patches or a lightening of the surface colour, but seems to disappear when wet.
It is formed by a normal chemical reaction which causes calcium hydroxide (lime) to migrate through the damp paving surface and then react with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere resulting in a deposit of calcium carbonate crystals. Efflorescence is very unpredictable in its occurrence and can happen at any time of the year but is more prevalent in winter.

Although there are cleaners available, efflorescence is a natural phenomenon and will generally disappear with the natural weathering process and the passage of time. It does not compromise the integrity of the paving. Aggregate Industries cannot accept responsibility for the effect of efflorescence which can be a characteristic of all good quality products with a high cement content.

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