I have just spent all day with the power washer getting rid of slimey green algae that has made my patio, paths and driveway very slippery. I know it is the warm moist winter we have had that caused it but I don't suppose there is some miracle substance that I could treat it with that will stop it coming come.
Beryl.
Wet, cold and exhausted
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter, Chief Spud
-
Primrose
- KG Regular
- Posts: 8096
- Joined: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:50 pm
- Location: Bucks.
- Has thanked: 47 times
- Been thanked: 324 times
There is a patio cleaner available from B & Q (whose name escapes me) which I used on our patio and paths a couple of years ago, and I painstakingly put a sealant on afterwards to try and protect them against algae & lichen returning. But this sealant doesn't seem to last very long as some lichen has crept back, although it does seem to have kept the green algae at bay. Prior to using the cleaner I used to regularly wash my paths/patio with a solution of Jeyes Fluid which possibly helped reduce the algae although I'm not sure whether its purgent smell convinced me that it was a suitable deterrent !
Thanks for that Primrose. Yes, I have tried Jeyes before and as you say - poo what a pong.
Patio cleaners, yes, I've used them. OK for cleaning but it obviously didn't stop the algae.
I was hoping now it is all nice and clean I could stop it coming back.
Beryl.
Patio cleaners, yes, I've used them. OK for cleaning but it obviously didn't stop the algae.
I was hoping now it is all nice and clean I could stop it coming back.
Beryl.
Hmmmnnnnn. Why would they sell power washers if we only needed to use them once? Mine's out in force every Spring on the patio and decking. I've tried all the main brands of grease/slime/etc remover, along with path weed controls, but only the annual appearance of the power washer prevails.
Let me know if I'm missing something!
Let me know if I'm missing something!
-
peter
- KG Regular
- Posts: 5879
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2005 1:54 pm
- Location: Near Stansted airport
- Has thanked: 23 times
- Been thanked: 81 times
- Contact:
Jeyes do a specific patio cleaner formulation as well as their traditional pongy stuff.
Do not put off thanking people when they have helped you, as they may not be there to thank later.
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
Yes, I agree with the Tigger.
It's just a job I don't relish having to do.
Beryl.
It's just a job I don't relish having to do.
Beryl.
-
Primrose
- KG Regular
- Posts: 8096
- Joined: Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:50 pm
- Location: Bucks.
- Has thanked: 47 times
- Been thanked: 324 times
The main problem with these power washers is that
a) they are so powerful they often rip all the pointing out of your patios and paths.
b) if you have concrete paving slabs, they also remove the original protective covering that is put on many of the slabs when they're manufatured.
We've had power washing done on our patios and paths twice. Never again. We've twice had to repoint and reseal them. So now I just wait for a really rainy day and get out there with my wellies, waterproofs and a really stiff broom.
a) they are so powerful they often rip all the pointing out of your patios and paths.
b) if you have concrete paving slabs, they also remove the original protective covering that is put on many of the slabs when they're manufatured.
We've had power washing done on our patios and paths twice. Never again. We've twice had to repoint and reseal them. So now I just wait for a really rainy day and get out there with my wellies, waterproofs and a really stiff broom.
-
oldherbaceous
- KG Regular
- Posts: 14435
- Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:52 pm
- Location: Beautiful Bedfordshire
- Has thanked: 713 times
- Been thanked: 712 times
Well all i can say, i'm glad to see the pressure washing job seems to be a womens job. 
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
-
peter
- KG Regular
- Posts: 5879
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2005 1:54 pm
- Location: Near Stansted airport
- Has thanked: 23 times
- Been thanked: 81 times
- Contact:
My faather-in-law has a special brush with his power washer, the size of a dinner plate with rotating brushes and jets inside. Cleans a swathe rather than a pencil mark.
Do not put off thanking people when they have helped you, as they may not be there to thank later.
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
-
peter
- KG Regular
- Posts: 5879
- Joined: Fri Nov 25, 2005 1:54 pm
- Location: Near Stansted airport
- Has thanked: 23 times
- Been thanked: 81 times
- Contact:
Tigger wrote:I use a mop with mine......
made with what pray, Wire bristles perhaps?
Do not put off thanking people when they have helped you, as they may not be there to thank later.
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
I support http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
-
Geoff
- KG Regular
- Posts: 5785
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:33 pm
- Location: Forest of Bowland
- Been thanked: 319 times
It's not only women's work! I went out for a new set of waterproof trousers yesterday then spent all afternoon with the dreaded beast and am about to get wrapped up and spend another day on it. I guess you regular washers know about using a soft ball in the trigger to stop the cramp in your hand.
After reading about Algon in the tunnel cleaning thread I bought some to try as an after treatment on the more dangerous sloping bits of path. Are you telling me I've wasted my money or can somebody endorse it?
After reading about Algon in the tunnel cleaning thread I bought some to try as an after treatment on the more dangerous sloping bits of path. Are you telling me I've wasted my money or can somebody endorse it?