White Residue on Your Flagstone? Here's How a Stone Cleaning Service in Milton, GA Made It Disappear

October 19, 2016

Pools are a wonderful addition to any home, and stone pool decks can enhance their beauty even more. This flagstone pool deck in Milton, GA was, without a doubt, the most amazing feature of this home. Its owners had bought the house several years ago and were immediately sold on the house when they saw the gorgeous flagstone pool deck. Over the years, the pool had become the most treasured area of their home and had been the place for many family gatherings and summer pool parties. However, the owners had become increasingly concerned about the presence of a white residue on the stone's surface. They thought that they could clean it, but much to their dismay, the residue didn't go away. They were in need of a hard surface restoration company since they planned on throwing a pool party.


They initially thought about renovating, but they were talked out of an expensive remodel by their neighbor, who suggested Sir Grout Atlanta's stone cleaning services in Milton. They went to our website and looked at before and after pictures from previous jobs. They were impressed and decided to call us to schedule a free inspection with our team of specialists.

A few days later, our team did a thorough inspection of the flagstone pool deck. They agreed that the culprit of the chalky, white residue on the stone was calcium carbonate. They explained to the homeowners that calcium carbonate buildup is usually a sign of moisture or water underneath the stone. They further explained that calcium carbonate is created when calcium ions in hard water react with carbonate ions. This leaves white deposits on the stone known as limescale. The homeowners wondered how that could have happened, so the team mentioned that this is a common problem in outdoor surfaces. When the sun warms the stone, it allows moisture to be drawn to the surface, which carries calcium and other soluble salts with it. Then, these salts become crystallized and are deposited on the surface of the stone and grout joints, creating the chalky buildup seen in the before picture. Our specialists suggested a professional stone cleaning and sealing service to solve the problem and prevent future buildup. The homeowners agreed and set up another appointment for the service.

To start the restoration process, the team removed the calcium from the flagstone and grout with a thorough cleaning process and our proprietary products. Then, they repaired the grout lines. Once the calcium buildup was removed from the stone, it was essential to seal it to prevent future buildup from occurring and to protect it from harsh chemicals and natural elements. Therefore, our specialists used our color enhancing sealer to not only protect it from further damage, but also intensify the natural colors of the stone. Our color enhancing sealer is U.V. resistant and helps protect stone surfaces from oil and water-based stains and also darkens and highlights the stone's colors.

After the service was performed, the homeowners were called in to see the results. They were pleasantly surprised and amazed to see that there was absolutely no trace left of the white substance and that the colors of the stone looked more vibrant than ever. They were especially happy because they could now throw a pool party without any problems.

Before they left, our specialists mentioned that this process required annual maintenance to keep the surface in good condition and looking like new. If you have a pool, it is always best to plan pool deck maintenance in late winter or early spring for the best results. Thus, you'll be able to swim on the first warm day of summer!

If you have a stone pool deck and it has a white residue that just won't come off, you can rely on the experts at Sir Grout Atlanta to remove it and restore your stone's flawless appearance. If you live in Milton or surrounding areas, don't hesitate to contact our specialists by calling (678) 251-2140 or by filling out the form at the bottom of this page. For more hard surface care tips, join our newsletter!

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