The latest KG mag has a full page advert for this thing. It looks pretty good but, of course, that's their advertising speak. It's £139 - not a huge amount - and we would certainly have a use for it.
What do you think? Have you tried using one? Do you know anyone who has?
Ryobi patio cleaner machine?
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Primrose
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No experience is owning these machines. But check if you can how harsh they are. When we first had patio slabs laid they had a protective "shine" costing on them which lasted for years until we had the slabs cleaned by one of these machines. A successive clean has now removed all the remaining protective layer which means the surface degrades with dirt and pollutants stains more quickly .
I don't know whether there,s a protective coating which can be painted back on to protect the surface of patios after these machines have been used but my experience is thst although patios cleaned by this method immediately look better and cleaner,over time they subsequently become grubbier more quickly again . This is because because surface protection is permanently lost. They also can have a nasty habit of loosening much of the pointing which necessitates another tedious chore.
A very stiff broom and a good scrub with hot soapy water might be worth trying first. Do it on a damp day wearing wellies so the soapy water has time to take effect and work before evaporating and drying. It's harder work but if your patio uses sensitive material which has a protective coating this may cause less damage.
Sounds as if moving back into your own house is giving you a long "to do" list ! Do you have a hire shop near you?. That's another option - at least you wouldn't then have to store a machine which is rarely used.
I don't know whether there,s a protective coating which can be painted back on to protect the surface of patios after these machines have been used but my experience is thst although patios cleaned by this method immediately look better and cleaner,over time they subsequently become grubbier more quickly again . This is because because surface protection is permanently lost. They also can have a nasty habit of loosening much of the pointing which necessitates another tedious chore.
A very stiff broom and a good scrub with hot soapy water might be worth trying first. Do it on a damp day wearing wellies so the soapy water has time to take effect and work before evaporating and drying. It's harder work but if your patio uses sensitive material which has a protective coating this may cause less damage.
Sounds as if moving back into your own house is giving you a long "to do" list ! Do you have a hire shop near you?. That's another option - at least you wouldn't then have to store a machine which is rarely used.