Nial Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 We put a new extension on a few years ago with a nice new patio round it. There are a lot of trees about, so we have to pressure wash it twice a year to clean the 'green' off it. I hate doing this as it has dislodges a load of grount and in some places things are starting to get uneven. (The wife would have me at it every couple of months with the pressure washer). What's the best way of non-pressure washer cleaning it? When it's clean, what's the best way of stopping it going green again? Thanks for any thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 Get some wet and forget. Follow the instructions. Get it all clean and seal the patio with a good sealer that impregnates to stone. Much easier to clean and less moisture and purchase for the green to thrive on. pouring resin into the joints should fix the grouting or jointing sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 It's natural. Do you wish the soil in the garden too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nial Posted November 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 (edited) "Do you wash the soil in the garden too? " No, but the soil in the garden won't have you on your ear because it's so slippy. Thanks Figgy, I'll look ino wet and forget. We did seal it when it was new with Lithofin Stain Stop, everyone swore by it but it hasn't worked brilliantly well. ☹️ "pouring resin into the joints should fix the grouting or jointing sand" What sort of resin? Edited November 10, 2018 by Nial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 Ordinary patio sealer is basically a varnish, it looks and smells like varnish and you put it on with a roller. It does soak in to seal the surface and prevents a buildup. The down side is it can look a little shiny which some people like and other people dont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 do you have a patio cleaning head for your washer, as this does the job without the jet damage of the normal lance I personally find, this will help with grout issue, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delwint Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 15 minutes ago, Vince Green said: Ordinary patio sealer is basically a varnish, it looks and smells like varnish and you put it on with a roller. It does soak in to seal the surface and prevents a buildup. The down side is it can look a little shiny which some people like and other people dont. You can get a matt version of these products Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 When we had a patio,I found that brushing dry cement into the joints and then spraying lightly used to sort the issue out. I should add a good dose of weed killer a couple of days before hand made things last a lot longer. We often bad a build up of green goo, as you know the pressure washing gets tedious. Sharp sand brushed into the top can help. Not tried any of the chemicals so can't help there. Parents have block paving. They pressure wash and then seal with a lacquer like stuff and a large roller on a bit of broom handle. Last a couple of years of heavy use and does look "brand new" for about 18 of those months. Personally I haven't the patience and no longer have a patio. Just decking which is worse but swmbo likes it so its safe for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 While you wait for warmer dry weather to seal the patio wash it over with a strong hot bleach solution. Leave it for an hour. Keep pets off it while it soaks. Rinse it off, giving any stubborn bits a brush. Careful it doesn't go onto plants. The bleach will kill the algae and keep it off for quite a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultrastu Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 This stuff is great well reccomended . You put it on and leave it for 2 hours then wash it off. ( most the green comes with it .) But the best bit is that for the next month your deck or path gets cleaner and cleaner the green totally goes by its self .. Lasts about 3 -4 months before you just have to sprinkle some more over and leave it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 A wash with weak solution of Ammonia will last a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted November 11, 2018 Report Share Posted November 11, 2018 I have a large patio/paved area made of a Bradstone imitation stone. I was warned not to use aggressive cleaning products/pressure washers which would in time spoil the surface finish. I have found that when it is very dry and hot in the summer and the 'green' dies, a good sweep with a stiff brush does the job ('green comes off as a blackish dust). Twice a season seems to be fine and keep it in good order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted November 11, 2018 Report Share Posted November 11, 2018 Have a look on YouTube there are a few videos on there where they use sodium hypochlorite it’s very strong bleach it can be bought for £15 for 20 litres @ farmers stores but be ( VERY CAREFULLY IF YOU HAVE PETS OR A GARDEN POND ) also don’t walk on it then indoors till it’s dry unless you want white foot prints on your carpet. All the block paving contractors use the stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocette Posted November 11, 2018 Report Share Posted November 11, 2018 Cheap vinegar diluted 50/50 with water sprayed on and left to dry will kill the algae and last for months. Works well on garden furniture too ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nial Posted November 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 Thanks for the suggestions guys. It's frustrating as there's an occasional snail trail etc where the algae doesn't seem to take hold, so there's _something_ that will stop it. There's grass up to the edge of the patio right the way round it so I need a solution that won't kill that too. I'll maybe experiment a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted November 12, 2018 Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 (edited) If you have a grass lawn next to the patio do not use what I suggested Sodum hypochlorite as it will kill grass. Edited November 12, 2018 by blackbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted November 13, 2018 Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 Blimey now snails are causing a problem, Are you sure its snails leaving trails ? Have you caught them at it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nial Posted November 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 2 hours ago, Dougy said: Blimey now snails are causing a problem, Are you sure its snails leaving trails ? Have you caught them at it ? No, in some places the snail trails (or something similar) stops the algae growing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted November 13, 2018 Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 Just now, Nial said: No, in some places the snail trails (or something similar) stops the algae growing. So you have a solution, in more ways than one. Just collect a load of snails. You could start a local snail Olympics on your patio. Right then next problem folk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nial Posted November 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 2 minutes ago, Dougy said: Right then next problem folk. I'll need loads of them, what's the best thing to get snails randy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moondoggy Posted November 13, 2018 Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 1 hour ago, Nial said: I'll need loads of them, what's the best thing to get snails randy? Try sprinkling powdered Viagra on the patio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted November 13, 2018 Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 28 minutes ago, moondoggy said: Try sprinkling powdered Viagra on the patio. That'll really make the moss stand up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nial Posted May 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 I've been meaning to reply to this with feedback. A week or so after postign this I was dragged to a garden centre that had Algon, so I bought some, and was really impressed with it. When that was done I got some Wet and Forget but it hasn't performed nearly as well, I've ordered more Algon before I've finished it. Thanks for the input everyone. Figgy, if you read this, what resin were you talking about in the second post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B&W FOX Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 On 10/11/2018 at 17:57, Ultrastu said: This stuff is great well reccomended . You put it on and leave it for 2 hours then wash it off. ( most the green comes with it .) But the best bit is that for the next month your deck or path gets cleaner and cleaner the green totally goes by its self .. Lasts about 3 -4 months before you just have to sprinkle some more over and leave it . We use Algon. I wash off the patio as normal ( natural stone) while still wet I mix the Algon 3:1 with water and spray it on the slabs , leave to dry off and that's it untill the following year . Concrete slabs will always be an issue. I wash them off and when dry brush screwfix no nonsense clear sealer all over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nial Posted May 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 The Algon seemed to do a more thorough job, and last longer than Wet and Forget. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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