Need to clean mothers patio slabs, They have the usual build up of grime.
Have the trusty power washer but has anybody found a solution that works to clean the grime off before blasting the residue with the power washer ?
Thanks.
I scrub mine with detergent and a wire bristle broom before blasting it with the power washer.
The cheapest and one of the best ways to clean any patio, is to buy some cheap bleach and mix it pretty strong, then pour it over the patio and leave
for at bit. Then use a stiff yard broom to give it a good scrub,then hose off. It should come up nice and clean.
Biological washing powder, water and a stiff brush.
Any of the above but use a proper patio cleaning attachment rather than a high powered nozzle, you'll be there all day with a jet, and it'll be strippy.
The other problem with jet washing is the you can take the surface finish off the slabs then cleaning them next time needs more work and you take more surface off
quote:
Originally posted by perksy
Need to clean mothers patio slabs, They have the usual build up of grime.
Have the trusty power washer but has anybody found a solution that works to clean the grime off before blasting the residue with the power washer ?
Thanks.
Bleach gives quick results but does not have much resilliance. Jeyes fluid lasts longer but takes longer to effect. Also bleach bugger's wood
just a bit of personnel advice on a bit of safety.
Use a filter mask when power washing the flags, may sound or look daft but you end up with a lot of water vapour that you are breathing in, this will
probably contain the cleaning agent you use plus particles of moss, mould and any other fungal or bacterial crap from the flag surface.
Use if you can use one of the patio cleaner accessories (rotating nozzle's) rather then just a blast it lance, less spray back.
Recovering from chest infection that went to pneumonia, that I suspect was down to cleaning my flags over a two day period back in January.
Adrian
[Edited on 27-3-14 by AdrianH]
One of the guys on here did the same thing and power washed his patio. Turned out he had some blue green algae in the crevices and he power washed it
and breathed it in. Told me it more or less retired him.
Get a mask!
Also a great long lasting weed killer is a full bag of salt in a watering can full of water, dissolved, then brushed into the cracks. Locost!
[Edited on 27/3/14 by Irony]
There is a product called Algon, it is not cheap but does exactly what is says on the container. It can last up to several years and brings the colour back to whatever cement product it is applied to. No scrubbing, poisoning the planet or effort for that matter!
Thanks for that lads, Very helpful
I must confess i hadn't thought about wearing a mask, But i will make sure i do now
cheap cola and a brush
quote:
Originally posted by Irony
One of the guys on here did the same thing and power washed his patio. Turned out he had some blue green algae in the crevices and he power washed it and breathed it in. Told me it more or less retired him.
Get a mask!
New slabs 
ATB
Simon