Indian sandstone is beautiful but needs careful cleaning. Here's how to look after your Indian stone patio properly.
Indian sandstone is one of the most beautiful patio materials available, with its warm natural colours and unique character. However, it's also one of the more demanding surfaces to maintain correctly. Get it wrong and you can permanently damage the stone; get it right and you'll have a stunning patio that lasts for decades.
Understanding Indian Sandstone
Indian sandstone is a sedimentary rock that's naturally porous. This means it absorbs water, oils, and organic matter readily. Its natural composition also means it's sensitive to acidic and alkaline substances, which can cause discolouration or surface erosion if the wrong products are used.
The porosity is also what makes it susceptible to algae, moss, and lichen growth -- particularly in shaded areas with poor drainage. These biological growths not only look unsightly but also make the surface dangerously slippery in wet conditions.
What to Use -- and What to Avoid
Never use bleach-based products on Indian sandstone. While bleach will kill biological growth temporarily, it can bleach the stone and cause permanent discolouration. Similarly, highly alkaline or highly acidic cleaners can damage the stone's surface.
Always use pH-neutral cleaning products specifically formulated for natural stone. These are effective at removing biological growth and general dirt without harming the stone's natural texture and colour.
Cleaning Indian Stone Patios
For routine cleaning, a stiff brush and clean water is often sufficient to remove surface dirt and debris. For more thorough cleaning, apply a pH-neutral stone cleaner diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions, work it in with a brush, allow it to dwell for the recommended time, then rinse with clean water.
For professional deep cleaning, we use specialist biocidal cleaners that are safe for natural stone, combined with carefully controlled low-to-medium pressure washing. High pressure is not appropriate for sandstone as it can erode the surface over time.
Treating Biological Growth
Algae, moss, and lichen require a biocidal treatment to remove effectively. These organisms have a root structure that penetrates into the surface, so simply brushing them off or blasting them with a pressure washer only removes what's visible -- they quickly regrow. A quality biocide, allowed to dwell on the surface for an extended period, kills the growth at the root and allows it to be removed more thoroughly.
Sealing Indian Sandstone
Sealing Indian sandstone is highly recommended and makes a significant difference to how easy the surface is to maintain. A quality natural stone impregnating sealant penetrates into the stone and creates a barrier that repels water, oils, and staining agents, while still allowing the stone to breathe. This dramatically reduces the rate of biological growth and makes the surface much easier to clean.
We recommend having your Indian stone patio professionally cleaned and sealed every two to three years for the best results.
Contact Tamworth Brighter Drives & Patios for a free quote on Indian stone cleaning and sealing throughout Tamworth and the Midlands.
Written by the Tamworth Brighter Drives team
With over 10 years of experience cleaning and restoring driveways and patios across Tamworth and the Midlands, our team shares practical knowledge drawn from thousands of real jobs.
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