www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

The photo shows NEW slabs that were put down in my garden last year. As you can see they look a right mess. Is there anything I could do to make them look better? I've tried scrubbing and pressure washing but they stay the same way! Thanks in advance.

Hi Freeman
Have you an image/photo taken just after the work was done to give an indication of what it once looked like.
That may help the regular, knowledgeable posters get an idea of the problem.

Are the slabs all the same type, colour and construction?
Have any cleaning solutions been used while scrubbing or pressure washing?

James

Hi Duck_Tape

The slabs looked pretty much like that when they were laid, maybe a bit darker. The white staining has always been there. The guy that laid them said it would go away but alas it hasn't. I haven't tried any cleaning solutions. I've looked online but all the reviews of efflorescence removers seem to say they are a bit rubbish.

All the slabs came from the one supplier so I would assume they are the same. One of them looks rather different to the others though!

Freeman

Hi freeman
I have not see this before so I am of no further use, I had hopped that someone else might pitch in with an idea or two.
From my experience slabs tend to get darker over time as dirt builds up which makes pressure washing them, bring them up like new. Assuming they looked nice when newly laid. Just an outside the box thought, they haven't been placed upside down by any chance have they? Were they brand new slabs or reclaimed slabs when you bought them?

Regardless of the answers I wouldn't have a solution but it may help someone else figure it out.
Best of luck.

Just my thoughts, the slabs look like something has been laying on them in storage (Doesn't matter what or how long, its too late now) As it seems to be embedded in them I see it you have 2 choices.
1) Turn them over
2) Change them

Sometimes you can spend a fortune trying to fix / repair something that is just a "bottomless pit" hence if turning them over is no use, it will cost a fortune to have them ground down so change them.

Do they look a bit like these if so this is an explanation
http://www.pavingexpert.com/faq_patio_circularmarks.htm

boxedin wrote:Do they look a bit like these if so this is an explanation
http://www.pavingexpert.com/faq_patio_circularmarks.htm

Having followed the link and read 'Paving Expert's' explanation, I do think that you have got the source of the problem!
But that aside, you chose your flags in good faith and I don't see why you should be expected to accept anything different! ie: Flags with circular marks!
Someone has to be accountable!
Be it the builder you employed or the Merchant who you bought them off!

Duck_Tape wrote:Hi freeman
I have not see this before so I am of no further use, I had hopped that someone else might pitch in with an idea or two..

Just to be clear when I said "someone else" I meant every one on the forum not the person with the id "someone-else"
I only add this as "someone-else" the person was the next to post after me. if that's a coincidence or not. I hope I didn't put pressure on you to post, someone-else, if I did then :oops:It was not intended.

That said, looks like the slabs were are a bad buy, and whoever laid them and told you they were fine,,,,,well just told you what you needed to hear to get paid..

Sucks I know, but its not a massive loss,

Best of luck with your future DIY projects, you are on an excellent forum.

James