Flagstone In Concrete. We Got Some E-Mails About Using the Right Concrete!

Putting Flagstone in Concrete can be a worthwile job and add so much character to your landscaping or house.

I recently got an e-mail about using Quickrete concrete.

We do not recommend using that concrete. It is a cheaper cement and will tend to cause efflorescence.

Efflorescence is a salty material in concrete that will cause white stains and blotches to appear on your concrete. Water seeps through the stone and then evaporates. When the water evaporates, it pulls the salt to the surface and stains your stone white.

We have had better luck with Holcim or Cemex Type I-II.

You can get that cement at a Building-Supplies Store. I've never seen it at Home Depot or Lowes.

I also want to point out that Holcim or Cemex will not stop all efflorescence. We have returned to jobs years later and the white salt appears. It just is a lot less than cheaper cements.

If you need to clean efflorescence, Prosoco has a product called Custom Masonry Cleaner that will get it off for you.