Forum home› Tools and techniques

Cleaning patio

BlubellBlubell Posts: 72
in Tools and techniques
I would welcome any suggestions for cleaning the patio. It is Indian sandstone but has lost its colour and gained slippery sludgy bits. I have put soda crystals on a patch today but would welcome any advice image
«13

Posts

  • BluebaronBluebaron Posts: 226

    I use a Jet wash, very good but messy.

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,743

    I'd leave it a while yet, until we lose this hideous rain. Maybe early April ish, would be better, then jet wash away to your heart's content.

    Devon.
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367

    I have just bought some Patio Magic, it gets good write ups on Amazon and involves almost no work! Instructions tell you to dilute the Patio Magic in water and use a watering can to saturate the area. Wait 3 to 4 days and apparently it comes up clean.

    I used it just yesterday so can't comment on it's success or otherwise yet but it was certainly easy to apply.

  • BlubellBlubell Posts: 72

    Thanks lass. Can y let us know aftr a week to see if there's an improvement. image

    Thought about jet washing but tends to loosen the grout and causes more work 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,997

    Our terrace runs off onto our veg patch, herb bed and fern and rockery plants. What would be the effect of Patio Magic on them - does anyone know?  

    Googling gives very ambiguous results. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    Dove, I agree with you; I even phoned one company to ask them how toxic to plants their product is, the young man who responded said, 'Oh it's fine as you apply it diluted'. But why do they give no guarantee on the container?

    My builder said emphatically when he laid the terrace in 2001, NOT to use a jet washer as it would wash away the grout. I'm reduced to scrubbing on my hands and knees to clean it. Now that is alright at the moment, as I'm only 27image, but what happens when I'm 30?image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,997

    I think we're going to have to use a jet-washer, but very gently ............. and get the builder back from time to time to re-grout image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,358

    art image

    I used to use a sweeping brush with some washing up liquid for decks and patios, and a bit of elbow grease! You need caution if you have planting nearby whatever you're using though .  I'm not overly keen on the jet washers for paving, for the  reasons already mentioned, but they are good on decks.   We had a large one at last house and it was in the wrong place so a lot of it was slippy most of the time.The jet washer was fine as there was a gravelled area and privet hedge next to it , so we didn't have to worry about protecting anything precious.

     

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367

    There is a warning on the instructions for Patio Magic which states that you should avoid drainage into flower beds so it has to be used carefully.

    I will report back on how efficient it is as soon as I notice a difference.

  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    Blubell wrote (see)

    Thanks lass. Can y let us know aftr a week to see if there's an improvement. image

    Thought about jet washing but tends to loosen the grout and causes more work 

    Hi Blubell, my patio areas are both looking very much cleaner following application of the Patio Magic. The green algae has gone and it has returned to normal non-slippy paving. I am very impressed with it. Although it cost nearly £10, I have only used half of it so I have it for next year.

    It's pretty important to me to have safe areas to walk on, I broke my shoulder three years ago falling on the patio and I don't want it to happen again!

Sign In or Register to comment.