Sealing Saltillo Tiles

[Estate Manager]

A week ago, I had a contractor seal my boss's exterior pool patio saltillo tiles. The tiles had a week to dry and appeared to be semi-glossy after it dried.

Last weekend, we had 2 days of solid rain. While it rained, the patios had a white, milky appearance. Now that the rain has stopped and the sun is out, the milky substance is going away.

My boss asked me to get this fixed. I called the contractor and he said that was normal and that the sealant was doing its job.

Does this sound correct?

Thanks!

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[kcstoneguy]

it sounds to like you had moisture from underneath the stone working its way up, and the trace minerals came to the top..often this is called effervesence. i would not be surprised to see a repeat performance the next time it rained.

john j
integrity stone

[kcstoneguy]

hmmm upon rereading your post, effervesence is usually a white powderly substance. I think the white milky is moisture under the sealer, which dries out under the sun. it sounds like they used a topical sealer, not a penetrating or solvent one. moisture can sometimes cause sealers like this to blister and peal off. thats just my opinion though.

john j
integrity stone

[doitright]

Hi Estate Manager, Welcome! :)

Please give us a first name. :shades:

Do you know the name of the sealer used?

Can you post a picture?

Thompson's is real good at turning white after a rain. (Moisture trapped underneath) :bang:

[Arn]

Make sure your sealer is approved for outdoor use.

[maria t]

Help! I just had saltillo tile installed and had the installer put linseed oil on the unsealed tile. I should have read up on it first because it seems that it should have been sealed first. I have two problems--one, the linseed oil stain is streaky and two--what can I use to seal it. I am afraid that I have a real mess on my hands. Thanks for the help.

[doitright]

Hi Maria, Welcome! :)

It's very common to use linseed oil/paint thinner as a sealer for saltillio tiles. After they are dry, you can apply either a paste wax or an acrylic wax.