Help & Advice - Usage & Care

General Tips
The following tips should help you keep your paving looking at its best for longer. Please note that although sometimes unsightly, blemishes or stains are unlikely to affect the performance of the paving in any way. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions when using cleaning equipment or materials.

• Before using any cleaning materials, consult your paving stockist to recommend an appropriate product.
  
• Test a small area before cleaning the patio.
  
• Do not use salt to die-ice your patio.
  
• Dark patches are due to different weathering and exaggerated by efflorescence. As with efflorescence, the dark patches will generally disappear in time.
  
• Pressure washers can be used to clean the patio. Do not pressure wash too strongly as you may damage the surface of the paving.
  
• Fungal and algae growths can be cleared by spraying with fungicide.
  
• Regular washing and brushing should be adequate to maintain your patio.
  
• If using patio cleaner, use sparingly (once or twice during the lifetime of the patio) as this my affect durability.
  
• Sealants can be used, but they can affect the colour of the paving.
  
• Bowland Stone paving can be use indoors.

Efflorescence
All concrete products may suffer the temporary phenomenon of efflorescence, this is not detrimental to the product performance and Bowland Stone cannot be responsible for its occurrence. This will generally clear with time and patio cleaner can help.
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Colour
Due to the phenomenon of differential curing, slight colour and shade variations do occur in individual coloured concrete products. Site conditions, seasonal manufacture, or naturally occurring variations in the aggregates used can also cause variations. This is generally considered to enhance the natural stone effect and the colours will invariably weather together in time.

Ordering
In respect of this it is suggested that when laying paving the flagstones are ordered as a total batch and drawn from several packs at the same time to enhance any colour variation. Choice of colours should be made from actual materials rather than the colour photographs herein.

Weathering
Just as natural stone the appearance of concrete products will weather and change, especially after a period of time exposed to the elements.

Sizes
Bowland paving is manufactured to capture the authenticity of natural slabs and as such they do vary in thickness. All sizes are nominal and customers should check with their supplier. Fissures can occur on larger individual slabs as natural results of shrinkage, this does not alter the durability of the product.

Liability
Liability in respect of any statements conditions, warranties and representations made on behalf of Bowland Stone is limited in accordance with the terms set out in the Standard Conditions of Sale. Whilst every effort is made to give sound advice, Bowland Stone cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or injury sustained as a result of following it. Bowland Stone will also not take any responsibility or liability in respect of products or liability in respect of products being used for any purposes other than those for which they were intended by the manufacturers. Due to our continuous evolution of product design and improvement our range is subject to change without notice. Customers should check that information is up to date.

Regional Variations
When ordering materials, orders from source as colours and finishes vary regionally.
Should a product reach you in an unsatisfactory condition, and other than a naturally occurring one as described above, the defect would have to be apparent prior to laying. It is at this point that the supplier should be notified of such a fault, allowing time for the rejected product to be replaced. If the complaint is raised after laying the product, no responsibility will be accepted for any relaying or removing costs.