tar on stone flags

[jojan]

Discovered stone flags on kitchen floor. They had been covered with
asphalt backed with a black sticky matting. Asphalt is up but how do I clean the tar off the stones? Help!

 

[topgazza]

Tricky...turpentine removes tar ...but I suspect the thinned out solution you create when you rub on will stain the tiles..unless they have been sealed and even then its tricky. If the tar is thick then scrape off as much as you can first but that may well break any sealed surface there is anyway...

You could always try a sanding disk which will take away some of the stone but you can always reseal afterwards....that might be a better choice.

Its a shame when that sort of material is used on good slabs...

I suspect that once the thinned out tar has sunk into the, possibly, porous flags that will be it. If you have nothing to lose then try it...wait for other advice just in case but.........

 

[jojan]

Thanks for reply. You are right, turpentine only spreads the tar. Someone suggested turning them or lifting and sandblasting only trouble is we only discovered the flags when the plumber drilled the floor for radiator pipes and the guy comes to fit the new kitchen beginning next week.