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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Adam Pilgrim on April 17, 2012 at 18:55

My initial thoughts - the client hasn't recently had any lawn sand or iron based moss killer applied anywhere in the garden have they?

This looks similar to the rust marks that can be caused by inaccurate application or windblown product, especially with what looks like a very straight edged area of staining.

If it is this, I fear removal of the stain may be difficult.

Just a thought!

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Dan Frazer Gardening on April 17, 2012 at 18:55

Nicky it looks like Iron lawn treatment, has he had the lawn treated for moss?

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Kieran Ray on April 17, 2012 at 20:39

If it is rust staining from lawn sand or similar then maybe the product Paul refered me to in this disscusion will help.

http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/acid-reactions-on....

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Permalink Reply by Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com on April 18, 2012 at 8:56

Did that work to remove the staining well Keiran?

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on April 18, 2012 at 9:03

Hi Nicky

Is the staining all over the paving or just in close proximity to the lawn?

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Permalink Reply by Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com on April 18, 2012 at 9:24

There is no lawn actually, the garden is very small around 60sqm and is mostly paved: the staining is in a few places.  There is municipal ground across the back lane and a residential car park on the RHS boundary, elevated some 6ft or so, the client is also a keen golfer (most days) and I suspect that if these stains are indeed from products that you guys have suggested then it may be possible that either the garden has been contaminated by inadvertently windblown products used by municipal maintenance teams in close proximity to the garden or that these products have travelled with the client from the golf course where I imagine green keepers regularly use treatments and sands.

Are either of these possible?

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on April 18, 2012 at 9:30

What you describe is a possibility I suppose. However, to get the amount of overspray required to cause the pattern you have would mean the source would have to be closer imo.

Also, if your client had walked onto the stones with shoes contaminated with sulphate of iron I suspect there would be blobs or larger stains. 

I guess it's possible to get stains like this if your client had used a hose or pressure washer to clean off the wheels of a golf trolley, for example.

Are the stains on the smooth surface of the stone or are they collected in little pits?

Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com said:

There is no lawn actually, the garden is very small around 60sqm and is mostly paved: the staining is in a few places.  There is municipal ground across the back lane and a residential car park on the RHS boundary, elevated some 6ft or so, the client is also a keen golfer (most days) and I suspect that if these stains are indeed from products that you guys have suggested then it may be possible that either the garden has been contaminated by inadvertently windblown products used by municipal maintenance teams in close proximity to the garden or that these products have travelled with the client from the golf course where I imagine green keepers regularly use treatments and sands.

Are either of these possible?

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Adam Pilgrim on April 18, 2012 at 9:35

In theory, I suppose either would be possible Nicky.

Another thought, probably a bit 'out of the box' but has the client had any windows/conservatory/fascias/guttering fitted or had done any DIY type works that involved filing or angle grinding of metal, as the metal filings and grinding disc dust created produce very similar stains to the ones you show (as the slabs outside my workshop can testify after I sharpened a rotary mower blade out there the other week!)

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Ian @ Red Barrow East Sussex on April 18, 2012 at 9:51

Could it be that the client's hunch is right?

Lichens do like sandstone, and although uncommon, there is an orange variety.

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PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Mick Gammage on April 18, 2012 at 10:36

Has the patio been cleaned with acid?

That will cause similar marks on stone flags due to the iron in the stone

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Permalink Reply by Nicky @ GardenImprovements.com on April 18, 2012 at 13:59

It hasn't been cleaned with acid no - the stains are concentrated in 2 or 3 patches and spread over slab edges and/or corners: does this suggest that it may not be lichens; would lichens (choose to) migrate over pointing mortar quicker than spread to saturate the original stone?

It seems most likely there are 2 possibilities then; iron sedimentary transfer, or lichens.  In either case are there existing solutions to remove or reduce the effect?

Thanks folks

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Permalink Reply by phil smith yewtreelandscapes.com on April 18, 2012 at 14:37

it could also be that the stone already had traces of iron in them when they were mined, and now they have been laid and they have been out in the elements of our weather they are naturaly going rusty.

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