Limestone Flagstones

[mrssmith]

Hi Everyone,

I have just discovered this brilliant website and registered, needing some advice on treating limestone flagstones. We have just moved into our cottage which has been very neglected in recent years. It still has the original limestone flagstones which we love and want to make them look as fantastic as they possibly can. The previous owner had them under lino so they are quite crumbly in parts and are very matt in appearance apart from where there has been heavy traffic. I have tried putting beeswax on them to bring out the shine and colour which looks great until it dries. Does anyone know how we can make them shine and bring out the colour of the stone? I suppose we want the effect that varnish gives but do not know if this is something we can use.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Charlotte

 

[Moo]

I may well be shot down in flames by the purists, but I had exactly the same problem ten years ago with the rows of bricks that flank the stone slabs in my hall. A coat of Danish Oil killed the dusty appearance without losing the matt surface.

 

[Carol]

We exposed our flags earlier this summer (see another thread) and due to my procrastination have not put anything on to polish or seal. After several scrubbing sessions, I left surface open until I could decide which advice to follow. Now, after a few months of being walked on again the flags look much better. I was slightly sceptical just 'wear' could work but it has. I have used a Liberon polish on our other flags so may use that, but am still tempted by the linseed oil, Danish oil or skimmed milk options suggested. Now I am wondering if we should get a nice traditional rug to set them off a treat!

 

[Lime]

It depends on how much moisture there is rising through the slabs. Sometimes the damp is seasonal varying at different times of the year.
White powder and crumbling are signs of previous dampness in the stone.
I would not treat the stones with anything.
Exposure and use, together with washing with a rung-out sponge (not drenching) with only water when dirty, will allow the stone to improve after it's sojourn under the lino.
If you prevent water evaporating by sealing the surface you are likely to force the water to build up or go elsewhere.

 

[mrssmith]

Many thanks for your advice. I think I may look into the Danish oil or Linseed and see how that looks. We have a baby on the verge of crawling so wanting it to be as childfriendly as flagstones ever could be!

 

[Nemesis]

Ecover floor soap is useful - a strong solution.

http://safershopping.wwf.org.uk/Detail.aspx?id=16

You can buy cleaning products from HG products and Lithofin, also I think Liberon, but I'd try the least interventionist approach first.

I'd avoid the sealants they sell, although HG does a wax based one I've used in the past which was OK.

Any new pointing should be lime.

 

[Geoffrey]

It's hard to resist wanting to do something, but the floor I uncovered last year and was in a very damp fragile condition just gets better and better for having been left to dry out and breathe untreated. The salts are gradually getting less and less, and more and more sheen is returning. This is in our dining room - the least used room in the house and has very little traffic.
With this experience I would have to say do nothing.

 

[bournonite]

I have to agree - DONT PUT ANYTHING ON THEM! Agree re: lime pointing, but you will find that limestone will always flake a bit when its been exposed to damp and airless conditions. The sulphides in the limestone (from all those dead animals) turn into oxides and you get a lot of flaking. I have limestone flags here, and often deal with them in old churches (we are in the Wenlock Limestone areas of Shropshire) and the best thing for them is to let the flaky bits come off - then walk on them! Don't be tempted to oil, wax, or otherwise block the pores of what is obviously damp stone, otherwise you will just get more flaking. Let it dry out, brush with a stiff brush, lever any flaky bits off, and encourage a bit of abrasion - no harm even in sanding rough bits down - its only what happens over time with people walking on it. Stone floors were always scrubbed, not oiled or waxed!!