How to maintain your investment in Oamaru and Hinuera stone exteriors

Understanding the pros and cons of Oamaru Stone

"Oamaru stone is a beautiful white limestone with soft yellow characteristics sourced from the South Island of New Zealand,” says Brett Noble, owner of Elevate Sealing Solutions. “It’s important to understand that without proper treatment, it’s highly porous and prone to degradation.” 

Brett warns Oamaru stone can be deceptively delicate. "Oamaru is a very complex stone with hidden characteristics," says Brett. "For example, when it's wet, it can still appear dirty and stained, even after the cleaning process. A trained eye and an understanding of the natural stone is necessary for optimal results."

This sensitivity to weathering makes initial sealing and ongoing maintenance essential, not just for aesthetic reasons but also to protect the integrity of any porous stone construction.

How to clean and seal Oamaru and Hinuera stone

The Elevate Sealing Solutions process can often start before the stone is even purchased or applied to a structure, “Clients often contact us prior to purchasing an existing Oamaru stone home for advice on the maintenance before investing,” Brett remarks.

Porous stone requires specialised care that general cleaning methods simply can’t provide. “Unlike concrete or other materials, you can’t simply pressure wash these stones. Incorrect cleaning damages the stone and leads to mould and faster degradation," remarks Brett.

“Our process involves masking all windows and aluminium joinery and protecting all other substrates, using specialised chemical treatments, and applying an even, high-quality seal,” adds Brett.

Rather than using basic sprayers, they manufactured specialised equipment to ensure even and careful sealant application, which is applied at the recommended square metre coverage rate to ensure the stone is sealed, not just spritzed.

As Brett explains, "We don't just grab a knapsack sprayer and give it a quick spray. Our custom-designed equipment applies the sealer evenly, maintaining a consistent pressure level. We ensure every job is done thoroughly to keep our clients’ property in top condition."

Maintaining and adding value with stone preservation

Elevate Sealing Solutions is clear about its philosophy on quality, even if that means higher upfront costs. "We're not the cheapest, as we provide a level of quality and follow-up that others don’t, with all our staff trained in detailed safety and application standards," says Brett. 

Incorrect stone cleaning, such as pressure washing, can result in a loss of aesthetic appeal, persistent mould, potential issues with de-lamination of the stone, and a lower house value. Brett emphasises, "If you're investing in a home with quality stone like Oamaru or Hinuera, then you need someone who understands the value and knows what they’re doing."

“Investing in maintenance could add value to the property by fixing or preventing the property’s stone exterior or interior from looking mouldy or crumbling–why let an expensive and important home feature look neglected?”

When to clean and seal Oamaru and Hinuera stone

A recent project in the design and construction stage, under Brett’s advice, had the team seal before the flashings were installed on the roof line, which enabled the team to seal right up to the stone’s edge, preventing moisture from getting into the stone under the flashing. Sealing was also completed prior to any decks, concrete, driveways or gardens in the building process, enabling Elevate to seal right down to the concrete pad to protect the first course of Oamaru stone from rising damp.

With three decades of experience, Elevate Sealing Solutions knows how to handle any issue that arises with these stones. “We’ve seen it all, and we walk away from each job knowing we’ve done the best possible work,” says Brett. “We leave homeowners with confidence that their stone is well-protected and looking its best.”

For advice or a quote, contact Elevate Sealing Solutions on ArchiPro today.