Patio stone cleaning

[steve_b_wales]

Is there a machine available similar to a wood sander,than can be seen on patio slabs? I've tried chemicals but need something to 'sand' the slabs. I could use a drill with wire brush attached but this would take too long.

[haynes]

Pressure washer.you could hire one. Some are so powerful they can drill holes in stuff. Perfect for cleaning all sorts of things

[clakk]

Hi Steve ,got the Asda own brand pressure washer which comes with a spinning brush so you scrub and high pressure blast at the same time .Theyre only 50 quid which tbh is probably what a days hire would cost atb 

[Jaymo]

I used a sand blasting attachments to my Karcher and it did a great job without destroying the slabs

[steve_b_wales]

1 hour ago, haynes said:

Pressure washer.you could hire one. Some are so powerful they can drill holes in stuff. Perfect for cleaning all sorts of things

I've got a pressure washer, which didn't help much. Perhaps an industrial one would be better.

[haynes]

Maybe try a different chemical. Then pressure wash off?

[blackbird]

Hi Steve have you tried sodium hypochlorite you can get it from farmers stores £15 a drum but water it down at least 50/50 ( WATCH YOUR EYES, PETS & DONT CARRY IT INTO THE HOUSE ON YOUR BOOTS OR IT WILL RUIN YOUR CARPETS) all the guys on the block paving game use it, if that does not clean your slabs up nothing will, have a look on you tube mate.

Edited June 5, 2018 by blackbird

[Terry2016]

Hi Steve,

Depending on the finish ( and how you want them when finished) you could hire a scabbler, its like a big floor polisher you see in super markets but for concrete, it would remove the very top surface of the slab/stone like a wire brush..

Cheers 

Terry

[Dougy]

Depends on what the stain/colouring is on or in the slabs "in" being the problem. 

I think using a wire brush would leave them very patchy, I wouldn't. 

Sodium hypochloite is as near as mad it bleach, just the chemical name, 

 

The floor scrubber sounds the best advise, and just try simple detergents. 

[Mice!]

I used this, just spray on with a garden sprayer and job done worked a treat.

[AVB]

This was mine ‘before’

And ‘after’ 

 

[steve_b_wales]

4 hours ago, blackbird said:

Hi Steve have you tried sodium hypochlorite you can get it from farmers stores £15 a drum but water it down at least 50/50 ( WATCH YOUR EYES, PETS & DONT CARRY IT INTO THE HOUSE ON YOUR BOOTS OR IT WILL RUIN YOUR CARPETS) all the guys on the block paving game use it, if that does not clean your slabs up nothing will, have a look on you tube mate.

Thanks Steve. I'll look into this.

4 hours ago, Terry2016 said:

Hi Steve,

Depending on the finish ( and how you want them when finished) you could hire a scabbler, its like a big floor polisher you see in super markets but for concrete, it would remove the very top surface of the slab/stone like a wire brush..

Cheers 

Terry

Thanks Terry.

[ditchman]

10 hours ago, Jaymo said:

I used a sand blasting attachments to my Karcher and it did a great job without destroying the slabs

thats interesting ...didnt know you could get something like that for a pressure washer...

[elgreco]

I used some stuff from Costco called wet n forget it takes a few patient months but cleans all the algae and Black growth off a treat. 

[vampire]

i just use a k5 145 bar pressure washer with swirling end and fungicidal solution,always worked well and done loads of patois,houses before painting etc,dirt blaster attachment swirling head thing makes all the difference.

[Jaymo]

1 hour ago, ditchman said:

thats interesting ...didnt know you could get something like that for a pressure washer...

From the French equivalent (well actually same ownership) of B&Q

https://www.castorama.fr/kit-de-sablage-karcher/4002667331431_CAFR.prd

they also supply the sand/ media too

[KB1]

10 hours ago, AVB said:

This was mine ‘before’

And ‘after’ 

 

Using what method?

[AVB]

Sorry I realised I hadn’t mentioned that. 

It was done by a professional cleaner using a relatively thick liquid (that smelled like bleach) and a high powered jet wash.  

[loriusgarrulus]

Bleach kills algae and gets rid of a lot of dirt. I often bleach one of our slab paths next to a wall that the dogs cock their legs on. It cleans it up and gets rid of the dog smell. You need care near plants though as it will kill them off. 

[KB1]

16 hours ago, AVB said:

Sorry I realised I hadn’t mentioned that. 

It was done by a professional cleaner using a relatively thick liquid (that smelled like bleach) and a high powered jet wash.  

Well its looks good, and has given me the urge to do mine?

[Saltings]

good old fashioned blech and if you don't have a pressure washer they are not expensive to hire have a chat with mates and split the costs over a weekend can get loads done  after cleaning put about two pints of pva sealer into a gallon and a half / two gallon well mixed into a watering can and soak the area and let dry and repeat after  few days gives a matt finish and stops algae build up has worked for me repeat every year to keep everything looking good minimal cost

Edited June 7, 2018 by Saltings

[getthegat]

Any idea if these products and methods will remove oil stains?

[steve_b_wales]

UPDATE: I'm borrowing an 'industrial' pressure washer from work, so this should do the trick.

[loriusgarrulus]

8 hours ago, getthegat said:

Any idea if these products and methods will remove oil stains?

Use dry bio clothes wash powder. Brush it well into the stain and leave it to soak up the oil. Add small amount of hot water and scrub into a paste. Brush up excess after a couple of hours. Then hot water wash off.