Common problems with Bluestone floors

One of the most popular materials used by homeowners for patios, walkways, driveways, flooring, fireplaces, countertops, and even window trim and sills is natural bluestone. The main reason for this is that the stone is incredibly durable and is available in a variety of colours, including: greys, pinks, greens, blues and even a lilac purple. However, if you plan to use bluestone as a flooring material, there are a number of issues that you need to be aware of first:

Water

Unfortunately, bluestone is a highly porous material, which means it will absorb water and retain it, leading to a number of problems, including:

• A slight curvature in the stone, which can cause individual pavers to shift out of their level alignment.
• Loss of color with spots where large volumes of water have settled or absorbed.
• An unattractive, oily buildup that is caused by soap scum in the water that is not absorbed by the stone.

If you plan to use bluestone as a flooring material in areas that will be frequently exposed to water (like bathrooms and patios), you’ll need to make sure it’s properly sealed.

Discoloration, scratches and chips

These are all common problems that occur with bluestone when it is used as a flooring material. However, there are a few ways to fix these issues and prevent them from occurring:

• The discoloration (or efflorescence) is caused by the stone absorbing water and then releasing mineral salts, which dry on the surface as a white powder. Just vacuum, mop or sweep.
• Bluestone can be easily scratched, scratched or chipped, but if these marks are minor they can be sanded smooth. Deeper marks will need professional attention.

Spills and Breaks

The sad reality is that bluestone is a very unforgiving material – if you drop something that can break on it, it’s likely to break and most spills will cause discoloration. The best way to guard against these problems is to seal the stone (which will also waterproof it) and to place mats or carpet scraps in high-traffic areas. This will not only help protect fragile items from breaking if dropped, but it will also help take the strain off people who stand on the bluestone for long periods of time.

Although bluestone, when used as a flooring material, is subject to some problems, if properly cared for and maintained, none of these problems should occur. By the time you have your bluestone floors installed, get them sealed and then reapply this sealer regularly (every two years is sufficient) and it will go a long way to prevent some of the above problems from occurring.