Barbecue Stains / Red Wine
It is always advisable to establish, as a written question during pre-contract discussions, if the customer is likely to be holding barbecues on new paving works. This can be an important factor in preventing future problems with liability if staining occurs, especially on un-sealed sandstones, or any natural stone that has been sawn six sides i.e. smooth finish.
Many clients seem to favour the smooth finish in areas intended for entertaining. As such, due to the process of sawing and smoothing, the surface is not natural inasmuch as it has been formed by sawing, not calibrated by natural riving or splitting on a bed.
If a barbecue area is planned, we recommend that you use pre-laid/factory sealed paving, together with a solid concrete base (i.e. non-permeable) using a full bed of strong laying mortar, full bed of slurry to the rear of the slabs, and a non-permeable grout. Make sure the whole paving ‘sandwich’ is as waterproof as possible.
Very often combined with swimming pools or hot-tubs, barbecue areas are fraught with potential complaints and claims from customers – we see too many such cases – where a few words written in a contract, not as part of Terms & Conditions, but as a separate item, clearly warning of the potential problems, could have prevented a dispute. This provides the customer with an option; to either use a large waterproof backed outdoor carpet for cooking and serving wine during a party, or have the paving pre-sealed or sealed post completion.
The safest method of trying to remove red wine stains is with warm, soapy water, or shampoo and a stiff-bristle brush as soon as possible, although a shadow may remain.
For fat stains, use warm water and a liquid washing up soap, applied directly to the stains and allow to sit for half an hour. Some powdered laundry detergents may be used (check the label before applying) and allow to emulsify and draw out the oil. Do not use a wire brush, as this may scratch the surface, and/or leave rust marks from any broken bristles.
Some advocate the use of baking soda to remove fat stains, although we would caution that it is mildly abrasive, and although it may seem to do a good job, it can break down the surface, causing longer term issues with dirt and grime remaining stubbornly ingrained in the paving.
Do not attempt to use kind of acid, including vinegar or citric acid on soft, smooth paving, as this will cause problems with bringing rust stains to the surface.
