In our kitchen, have uncovered large blue lias flags, under 2" of concrete,they look to be in good condition, no cracks or splits. On top of them, is what I believe to be a thin layer of bitumen, patchy and on all the flags. When scraped, some of it comes off and some of it with a payer of flag. Our builder wanted to seal and we said NO. He has also suggested using a machine to grind a smal layer off them., My instinct tells me no, however would like to remove the back stuff. Tried using wire brush and chissle, both appear inadequate for the job. Having new kitchen fitted, hopefully this year!
- Thread starter shilly
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MatthewC
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They sound great. Stick to your guns about not sealing them. You might find the bitumen comes off more easily as they dry out, as I found out after lifting some quarry tiles which were covered in bitumen, newspaper and lino.
Noooooooooo! :shock: :shock: :shock:shilly said:
FamilyWiggs
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MdB is right. Strippers of Sudbury will have what you want - just phone them up and they'll advise.
If you're lucky it will remove the bitumen without removing the underlying patina.
If you're lucky it will remove the bitumen without removing the underlying patina.
Ok,, i phoned them and they suggested a couple of products to try. Thye have two prodddducts that may work, and I am going to order a trail pack of each.
They also recommended a local man to try, he came in this afternoon, good quick service!, who suggested the 'DOFF® system . A unique combination of heat and pressure is used to cut through and remove unwanted matter without eroding the underlying surface'
I do not know what to do. I am worried any form of intense 'whatever' to the flags will damage them.
Today I tried white spirit (no) and a chissle (might damage top of flag?) I used a wire brush that has left a messy grey mess on the flag (tried on a part that wil be out of sight)
What I have to my advantage is time, so any more suggestions? :? Thank you
They also recommended a local man to try, he came in this afternoon, good quick service!, who suggested the 'DOFF® system . A unique combination of heat and pressure is used to cut through and remove unwanted matter without eroding the underlying surface'
I do not know what to do. I am worried any form of intense 'whatever' to the flags will damage them.
Today I tried white spirit (no) and a chissle (might damage top of flag?) I used a wire brush that has left a messy grey mess on the flag (tried on a part that wil be out of sight)
What I have to my advantage is time, so any more suggestions? :? Thank you
plasticpigeon
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Hmm, I had a guy try to clean the bathstone cills and cappings on my house with a DOFF and damaged it. It is just a heated pressure washer and obviously needs a skilled operator to keep it under control. Your flags are probably much harder than bathstone, but I would be inclined to try the chemical route.
When I removed an old screed off my floor bricks and found them covered in bitumen I was resigned to having to mess about with chemicals but after a few weeks the coating simply brushed off.
I would try patience followed by scrubbing with soap and water before you do anything else.
Mechanical grinding is a bad idea, if you chip or remove fired surface they'll become absorbent and probably quite brittle.
If you have really stubborn bits then a brass cup brush attached to an electric screwdriver was effective but use with extreme care!
I would try patience followed by scrubbing with soap and water before you do anything else.
Mechanical grinding is a bad idea, if you chip or remove fired surface they'll become absorbent and probably quite brittle.
If you have really stubborn bits then a brass cup brush attached to an electric screwdriver was effective but use with extreme care!