Does The Beautiful Limestone Suit Cold, Rain and Frost?
If you have a construction project in a climate where rain, frost, and damp are constant, you must think about a material that resists this weather. Limestone is one of the most popular options for projects located in weather like this.
Homeowners and business owners make it their first choice in this weather because of its warm tones, texture, and timeless beauty. Our question here is, how do we know that limestone is the suitable choice for a wet and freezing climate?
Today, we’ll help you to decide whether limestone is the right choice for cold weather or not, showing you the behaviour of limestone in cold weather.
The Challenge of Water: Rain and Porosity
Limestone is a kind of sedimentary rock that is made of calcite (calcium carbonate), consists of different ratios of natural minerals regarding its kind. In a cold climate, where it often rains and the temperature becomes below freezing, water is absorbed through the small amount of porosity. That moisture will stay inside the stone if there is no drainage or protection applied to the stone.
Although Egyptian limestone is less porous than other kinds of limestone, it still absorbs water. Consequently, it needs sealing to reach maximum protection.
Thus, water becomes a challenging issue when limestone is used outside in a cold, wet area. But you must know that if you choose the right type of limestone and install it properly, there will be no risk.
The Freeze-Thaw Cycle
The freeze-thaw cycle is the main problem in cold weather. When it rains, the water is absorbed in the stone. The weather drops, so the water freezes and expands. The weather warms up again, so the ice melts and contracts again. When this process is repeated many times inside the stone, it may cause small cracks and damage its surface.
To use the stone in outdoor areas, experts tested the stone to 140 cycles to ensure durability and cold weather. But stones that are tested to 48 cycles only will not last for a long time.
That is why you must also take into consideration the type of stone you choose, drainage, installation, and moisture. When you seal your limestone before installation, it will prevent water from being absorbed and avoid any issues with your stone. That way, your limestone will last forever just as it has since the time of the ancient Egyptians.
The Solution: How to Select and Protect Your Limestone
If you adore limestone’s beauty but you hesitate to choose it, don’t worry, there are some steps you will follow to choose natural stone for your building in cold weather.
Select the Right Variety
- When you decide to choose the type of limestone for your building, you must consider some features:1- Low water absorption
2- High density
3- Proven frost resistance.
Professionals recommend the stone that passes the frost test at least 140 freeze cycles, and the ideal choice is 240 cycles.
Thickness and Format
Experts recommend the thickness of the stone to be between 20-30 mm to be strong enough and durable. It’s suggested that a calibrated stone about 22 mm thick will be better than thinner formats to withstand the cold and freezing weather.
Surface Finish
Also, the finishing has a role in handling the weather, too. Finishes like brushed, textured, or tumbled provide more slip resistance than a polished finish. The textured surface really makes a big difference in a wet climate.
Ensure Local Specification
When you decide to choose a stone supplier, it’s better to choose an expert supplier who gives you full technical information about the stone. Technical information like: water absorption rate, density (kg/m³), and the test results of the freeze-cycle.
Choose High-Density Stone like Sinai Pearl Limestone
Sinai Pearl is a perfect choice if you want limestone for cold and wet weather conditions. It’s known for its high density and low water absorption. It comes from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Its features make it resistant to rain and frost and strong. As mentioned in a guide, Sinai Pearl Limestone density ranges between 2305 and 2628 kg/m³, and water absorption rate 0.20 and 0.89% by weight.
The above-mentioned characteristics will help in some points:
- Minimizing the amount of water that can penetrate the material.
- Reducing the risk of freeze-thaw.
- It has good mechanical strength because of its high density. So it can be used in both outdoor and indoor areas.
This kind of limestone is a perfect choice for patios, walkways, or wall cladding in places where the weather is always wet and cold, if it is installed properly. Put into consideration to check the test results and make sure from the experts that the stone is approved for outdoor use.
Protection Strategy
To keep the best limestone kind long time, it needs proper protection and care, like:
- Sealing
- Proper installation
- Good Drainage
- Jointing
- Regular maintenance
The Non-Negotiable Step: Sealing
Sealing is a debating issue between many people, but in such weather, sealing is very important for the stone. The stone will be exposed to constant rain, freezing, and salt exposure from polluted air or de-icing. So the only solution is the high-quality sealing, which protects the stone from water absorption and stains.
One point to keep in mind is that sealing will not keep the stone completely safe if water penetrates the stone from underneath or behind it. Sealers can’t manage to prevent the moisture from penetrating through the bottom.
So the approach should be:
- Professionals recommend using a breathable sealer because it lets moisture go out. If you use a non-breathable sealer, it will trap it inside.
- You must ensure that the stone is dry and clean before sealing.
- Exports advice to reapply the sealer at regular intervals.
- It’s recommended to clean the surface before sealing.
Choosing the right limestone for specific weather, in addition to sealing and maintenance, of course, you will reduce any risk related to water.
Ensure Proper Installation and Drainage
Sub-Base and Bedding:
Under the stone, there must be a solid and well-compacted base. To make it a solid base, use crushed stone at the right depth. This strong base will prevent the stone from cracking or shifting, and also makes the joints strong.
Drainage and Fall:
Take care from a point of installing the stone surface with a slight slope of about 1-2%. This will cause the rainwater to drain away rather than being collected on the surface. Otherwise, collecting water will soak into the stone and cause freeze-thaw damage.
Jointing and Air-Flow
Some points, such as joint width, grout type, flexible jointing used, and perfect air follow behind paving, are essential. To leave a small air gap when using limestone in wall cladding allows moisture to escape. Also, it prevents moisture from trapping behind the stone.
Edge Conditions and Submerged Areas:
Take care that water can seep into the stone through the base or joints if it meets other materials.
Maintenance Access
One extra point to put into consideration is to make sure that the area can be reached easily for cleaning and maintenance. Professionals also recommend a specific type of finish, like a textured surface. These kinds of finishes are not only slip-resistant but also prevent dirt from building up easily.
Thus, the answer to our question, which is “ Does limestone work well in frost and rain?” the answer is, of course, if you follow some conditions, like:
- Dense limestone
- Low in water absorption
- Make sure to check the test result of the freeze-thaw cycle.
- Seal properly
- Maintain properly
- Before installing, make sure of good drainage, a solid base, and correct jointing.
Limestone, then, can last for many years even in cold and freezing weather.
You can choose stones such as Sinai Pearl Limestone, as it has its proven density and moisture-resistance, you will guarantee that the stone will last for a long time. (with its proven density and moisture-resistance) You’ll be in a good starting position.
To get the perfect choice of natural stone that has long-lasting success, you need to know the challenges of water and freezing, the importance of sealing, and proper installation in your project. If you contact us at CIDG, we can help you with the technical minute details of the stone.
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