Please see picture attached. This is limestone on a school and i have tried everything to get the black streaks out. i have tried 12% sh with a little green wash. I have tried 4000 psi which only started to take the surface off. I have tried other asids and gutter cleaner. it looks like its black algae but just wont come out. i have let the solutions sit over night after several application and still results are the same. Any idea of what would work
Josh, limestone is a porous stone that needs care not to use the wrong chemical (no acids) or to much pressure. For Limestone cleaning it is recommended not to exceed 900 psi because limestone can be damaged at pressures above this pressure. As far as chemicals, limestone can be cleaned by the SH/Green Wash mix if the stain is organic in nature but since you already tried this approach I have heard of another stain removing technique using a "poultice." It should be noted that I have never performed this technique but wanted to give you an option to look into. Your local hardware store should sell a poultice cleaning solution for cleaning limestone surfaces. A poultice is a powdered substance that is mixed with water and smeared over the stain. The cleaner should come with directions. I would definately test this out on a small area first.
Have you been on the roof if so what is tr covering. It looks like there is a drainage issue up there and the stains could be from the covering as water sheds off. I'd think about trying a enzyme based degreaser that will eat hydrocarbons like what you'd use on a garage floor to eat oil stains.
Hope it helps.
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