Flagstone flooring - care and protection by Aldon Chemical

Flagstone - Sandstone

Cleaning - Problem Solving - Protection - Care

flagstone wall sandstone pool deck

Sedona Red sandstone - Cleaning and Sealing Arizona Flagstone chinese gray sandstone

"Sedona Red" Sandstone "Arizona Flagstone" Chinese gray sandstone

Flagstone has become a generic term used to describe a paving look. However, it is frequently used to refer to a sandstone.

There is no need for confusion or problems brought about by misidentification of a surface type, yet it happens all too often. If you would like to see why this is the case and how to properly identify a surfacing material ..... Click here
If you are concerned about doing it yourself - consider that the satisfaction of a project is directly related to your knowledge of what needs to be done and how. Who actually does the work is less important. We estimate that 25% of the usage of Aldon products is by "do it yourself" homeowners and we know they are happy because we hear from them.

MATERIAL DESCRIPTION - With Identifying Characteristics

Typical absorption range = high to very high

Testing your surfacing for absorption rate

Testing for acid sensitivity

Note this on your worksheet for later reference

Flagstone is a type of sandstone
Shapes:random or cut rectangular
Colors: beige - tan - yellow - red
Some batches of this surfacing can be very absorbent and will tend to soak up a lot of sealer if you just keep pouring it on. Too decrease the amount of sealer required - click here

ADVANTAGES TO THIS MATERIAL

Traditional paving and veneer material
Many choices for finishing gloss - from none to high gloss
Can be sealed with no appearance change or with some color enhancement and gloss.

CONSIDERATIONS (All Are Preventable!)

(Click links for Aldon's solutions to these issues!)

Do not use a sealer as a grout barrier (pre-seal). Prevent grout smears, surface scratching and keep grout residue out of surface texture by coating with Aldon "Grout Easy" before grouting. "Grout Easy" is a water soluble coating that comes off easily while grout is being cleaned up with water and a sponge.
Efflorescence (subsurface originating white powdery stains) can occur. This can appear even before installation. However, it is easily cleaned.
Colors can "fade". The appearance of fading is actually from light efflorescence and can be stopped by sealing with the appropriate Aldon sealer.
Can scratch during installation, however, one of the "solvent-penetrating" sealers tends to make the scratches disappear.
Some of these relatively absorbent grainy stones have some very dense, non-absorbent crystalline deposits. A solvent base sealer can darken the absorbent portions, but the dense crystalline portions may stay light. Thus, the crystalline is highlighted and contrasted with the body of the material. If you don't want this highlighting, use a water base sealer.
Some sandstones give every appearance of high absorption, yet absorb slower due to stone layering. Watch for a water drop to start absorbing immediately, then slow down. "Sedona Red" can be one of these stones. This means the sealer will create a higher gloss and you might want to pick a sealer of lower gloss level from below if your samples and testing show this condition.

Following are recommendations for products you may need (in sequence of use ) for whichever of the categories applies to you. Please review each and mark your printed worksheet accordingly.
Layed, But Not Grouted Grout Easy Efflorescence Treatment Grout Residue Remover (should not be needed after using Grout Easy)	Grouted, But Not Sealed Grout Residue Remover Efflorescence Treatment .............Sealer ( see below ) Lifeguard Care ...........	Sealer Has Been Applied Important! - First - Click here! Premium Stripper ...........Cleaners ? ...........Sealer ( see below ) Lifeguard Care ..........

Regarding The Sealer Results Shown Below - these pictures are an "Arizona Flagstone" type of sandstone.

An Aldon sealer does far more than just bead water and look pretty! To see what that is click here.

Your results may vary somewhat from these pictures due to variations in computer display and the surface materials themselves. Nevertheless, you will be able to see the differences well enough to make good choices. Different areas of the same piece are used as much as possible to minimize raw material variations. Of all the sealers Aldon manufactures, the ones shown are recommended as best suited to this surface type. (Important: If your project has had any sealer applied in the past, it must be evaluated differently. To see why, Click here!)

"Same Day Sealer" Water Based - Penetrating Type One Application depending on absorption No change to color No gloss Yellow arrow is unsealed portion. Note absorption. Red arrow is sealed portion. Note water drop.
"Crystal Glaze Sealer" Water Based - Coating Type 2 or more applications High Gloss Some color enhancement due to gloss	Picture is pending
"S-B-S Sealer" Solvent Based - Penetrating Type Some Color Enhancement No Gloss Additional applications do not create significant gloss Red arrow is pointing at water that immediately absorbed into the unsealed stone. Left of the red arrow is natural color of stone. Yellow arrow is pointing at a water drop sitting on the sealed portion. Sealed portion slightly darker than unsealed stone.
"Porous Stone Sealer" Solvent Based - Penetrating Type Good choice when customizing to a mid gloss level Two Applications Medium to High Gloss Color Enhanced See Mexiglaze to achieve high gloss with fewer applications
"Mexiglaze" Solvent Based - Penetrating Type One Application High Gloss Color Enhanced

**Other care products you might need for this surface type**
Insta-Clean	Maintain	Dust Whiz

* Note: will add another level of gloss to any of the above sealed surfaces.
It also prevents traffic wear to the sealers finish.

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