What would you do next with these flagstones?

[yamin]

Hi All

We have an original 1780 flagstone floor in our dining room/snug. Its in pretty poor condition - carpet glued on to it (not us, horrible 80s makeover - thank heavens they left the floor!), and its marked from that and lots of 'slices' of slate flaking off. Its fortunately escaped a damp membrane, and is laid directly onto earth. It therefore needs to breathe - some dampness was evident when we took up the carpet, but this has dried beautifully now its been left to breathe. I thought I'd try treating one flagstone with boiled linseed oil, but found it so easy and therpeutic I did the lot! Wondering now
1. Do I need to do 2 or 3 coats? Will this be better than 1?
2. What can I use to buff it to a gentle sheen? (that would be nice, but not going to seal, see above)
3. Will it continue to flake off or will the oil help with that?

Hoping to insert before and after picsView attachment 1

 

[Carol]

Congrats! They look lovely. I would probably just leave them as they are now, you will probably find the appearance will improve as they are walked on and too much Linseed may make them sticky. We found the flaky bits disappeared and the surface improved dramatically when we exposed some last summer. Nem and Gervase advised, and were 'spot on'!

Now you just need to add a nice old rug and wait for your cat on a hot day to drape himself elegantly around the edge of the cool flags and sleep.

 

[MdB]

I dream about there being flags like that under our concrete floor (shortly to be lifted) unfortunately I know there aren't any.....

 

[KayW]

Am so jealous they look gorgeous once oiled. Think they look great just as they are.

After doing a test area taking up our concrete floors we revealed 2 lovely flags and were very excited. Having just completed all the floors I think I have about 8 flags and lots and lots of broken up flags which they destroyed and used as a sub base for the concrete! Soul destroying.

If anyone has any ideas on what to do with a large pile of broken up flags (other then a 70's style crazy paving) would love to hear them. Cant bear to throw them away....

Do you know what stone yours are? Tried to do some internet searching and think ours are back sandstone - they have a sparkle to them which I understand is silicon. (sorry just read your post properly - they are slate! - edit)

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Yamin - they look lovely. Well done.

I would certainly hesitate to put more than one coat of oil on - search for "linseed disaster" on this site and you'll see what I mean!

 

[Hatster]

Wow, that's lovely!

I once got over-enthusiastic putting linseed oil on a kitchen worktop, and it took a week to stop being sticky!

 

[Penners]

Lovely floor, Yamin.

I wouldn't do anything more to it. You wanted a gentle sheen, and judging by the photo you've already achieved that. As others have said, another coat of linseed might reach "refusal" stage, leaving you to mop up the surplus.

You can always recoat the flags at a later stage, if/when they start to look a bit dry.

 

[yamin]

Thanks everyone! Think general consensus is to quit while I'm ahead!! Have read the thread about the dreaded sticky linseed disaster, and I really don't fancy dealing with that!! So will leave well alone and renew at a later date. However, that job done just means I have to attend to the other 300! Ho hum!!

 

[Penners]

However, that job done just means I have to attend to the other 300!

Now that's just not the PPUK attitude. That job done means you have a wonderful opportunity to attend to the other 300. :wink:




(Only 300? The house is virtually finished then?)

 

[yamin]

Of course, I'm sorry! Now, if someone would just take care of clearing up after the ancient, incontinent dog and two rugrats with the habit of racing round the period property like a couple of pinballs with legs, shedding clothes, toys and tantrums as they go, then I can really get on with those lovely restoration jobs!! :roll:

 

[Penners]

Oh, come on! You've got two hands, haven't you?

 

[yamin]

Oh thats tactful isn't it????? I wish I'd never decided to tackle that 60 foot walnut tree in the garden myself now. I'll never play duets again, sigh..... :lol:

 

[Gareth Hughes]

If anyone has any ideas on what to do with a large pile of broken up flags (other then a 70's style crazy paving) would love to hear them. Cant bear to throw them away....

Have a pop at dry stone walling?