Seal of my new Flagstone Patio!!!!!

by David
(Houston, TX)

I just had a 12 X 14 foot patio done with new Arizona Rose flagstone. The guys did a great job laying stone and I really liked the natural color. I debated to have it sealed or not and I maybe "rushed to jugement". I had them come out just 4 days after the stone was installed. ( should I have waited severl days or weeks? ) They came out and hosed the patio down to "clean it" though I did not think that was necessary. thy did not allow it to dry very well and immediately applied a sealer. Next day it looked awful, whiteish and smokey looking, etc. Not the so called natural color I wanted. The owner of company came out and agreed that something went wrong, They then applied a thick liquid to Strip the sealer out. That seemed to help but it still has a slight whiteish look to it.

Should I have waited several days or weeks before even considering a Seal in order to allow stone to dry good? Also, when it does dry I would like to reconsider a good Seal but now afraid of Seals. I really like the "Wet Look" but have read that the wrong kind of seal my not allow the stone to Breath over time.

Please advise as this is very important to me.

Thank you