Block Paving (Again)

[Tony Angelino]

Evening all, after looking back through via the search function for block paving related threads there doesn't seem to be any definitive guide for cleaning general grime off block paving.

Ours has been down since before we moved in and has the usual crap on/in it (muck, grime, moss growing in cracks etc) and never really had a clean. This morning we have had a half arsed attempt at cleaning it with the jet washer (water only) and metal brush for the cracks (brush only used in the horizontal gaps and not the vertical ones as we run out of time today). We thought we had done a reasonable job but when the blocks have dries its become pretty obvious that we've missed loads more than we've cleaned and it looks more of a mess than before we started. Pics make it look slightly worse than it actually is.

Can anybody give me any pointers please? Any chemicals/cleaners etc? Any tips or tricks we can use or is it just a matter of slogging through it?

thanks in advance.

[Tony Angelino]

skilly1 said:

Using the patio cleaing head makes a huge difference, plus easier and faster:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_IXlVI-mFE

Looks just what we need. It;s a borrowed Karcher we are using. I'm off to check eBay now.....

thanks

[Tony Angelino]

Thanks, we're using a borrowed washer so buying one could be the way - would probably get more use out of it for windows, decking etc. Drive is about 50m2 and decking is about 30m2 so would something like this be powerful enough or do I need to be spending on something more powerful (or is that a daft question!):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B009QX8AO...

Can the Patio Magic be used with this?

And daft question, the kiln dried sand is for sweeping into the cracks after cleaning and drying?

ta

[Tony Angelino]

Gone for the Karcher K2 Compact from Amazon with patio cleaner and Dirtblaster, it arrives tomorrow. Think I will give the Karcher wood and patio cleaner a go first of all, before moving onto the more hardcore cleaning suggestions. The jet wash I used yesterday was a borrowed Karcher KB5050 that's fairly old so hopefully this with the patio cleaner will give us enough power to do the job.

Planning to have a good crack at the block paving on Friday and then the patio. Will try do some 'after' pics when I've had a go.

[Tony Angelino]

Karcher K2 is a cracking piece of kit, one of the attachments almost doubles the pressure and that blasted the moss and other crap out of the block paving joints with ease. Didn't find the patio attachment much use on the block paving, but it worked much better on the stone flags at the back of the house. Took a bit of a while to get the hang of it, you have to sort of hover it over the patio and not use the brushes to scrub.

Below is the pic from tonight after brushing in KD sand: