Sandstone cleaning and sealing in Forestville

Forestville gives our technicians a wide range of sandstone. On an older cottage block, there may be a low front wall, a few worn steps and a crazy-paved path, sometimes repaired with cement over the years. A renovated or rebuilt home might have sawn sandstone paving, a feature wall or a set of wide entry steps. Townhouse villas have shared paths and garden walls. Under the trees that cover so much of the suburb, all of it collects leaves and stays damp in shade. We inspect each type, note anything fragile, and test cleaners on small areas so the method suits the stone rather than the other way round.

On older stone, our first concern is not to cause more damage. We give mould and algae a biocide and plenty of time, then brush gently and rinse with low-pressure water, so soft stone keeps its surface. On newer sawn stone, the same approach lifts mould and algae, and builders' residue or grout haze is removed with products suited to sandstone. Tannin and organic stains get a targeted treatment or a poultice. Throughout, rinse water is captured with bunding and wet vacuums and taken off site for disposal. In villa complexes we close one section at a time and keep a clear route for residents.

On paving, steps and paths that take foot traffic and leaf fall, a breathable impregnating sealer cuts down staining and makes sweeping more effective, all without changing the surface grip. Retaining walls are left as they are, since they need to dry outward. Very worn older stone may need repair before it is worth sealing, and we will say so rather than seal over a problem. Stone in shade is given time to dry fully before sealing. For strata complexes, we leave a record of products and areas treated for the owners corporation, and for houses, a note of when to recheck.