What to use to get the algae off the patio?
Discussion
Can anyone suggest what to use to get the algae off my patio, we had it laid about four years ago and it was fine for a couple of years but then it started getting a sheen of algae on it, the last couple of springs I have pressure washed it which is fine but now it’s only Jan and it is slippery with algae already. I wondered if anyone had any tips on what to use to get the algae off? I bought some Borax but that didn't work, used patio cleaner, didn't work, I wondered if Chlorine may be worth a try but don't want to damage the patio? Also when I eventually do get it clean of algae can anyone suggest if there is a decent sealer to stop it coming back?
Power washer will get it off but it can take the surface off some materials, leaving them porous so they'll go green again in the next wet spell even more quickly. Test blast a small area first.
Several companies do suitable chemicals but diluted Jeyes Fluid also works. They kill the algae (given a spell of dry weather) which is then easy to brush off.
Several companies do suitable chemicals but diluted Jeyes Fluid also works. They kill the algae (given a spell of dry weather) which is then easy to brush off.
driverrob said:
Power washer will get it off but it can take the surface off some materials, leaving them porous so they'll go green again in the next wet spell even more quickly. Test blast a small area first.
Several companies do suitable chemicals but diluted Jeyes Fluid also works. They kill the algae (given a spell of dry weather) which is then easy to brush off.
I think this is the problem, as I said I have pressure washed it twice the last couple of years so maybe I have made it porous so the algae comes back really quick now, I was wondering if anyone had used any chemical to get it clean without pressure washing again, and then seal it up so the algae doesn't return? Several companies do suitable chemicals but diluted Jeyes Fluid also works. They kill the algae (given a spell of dry weather) which is then easy to brush off.
+1 for Jeyes Fluid
http://www.jeyes.co.uk/jeyesfluidJF.htm
NOT the "Path, Patio & Drive Cleaner" - just the standard/original Jeyes Fluid - diluted as per instructions on tin and applied with watering can. No need to scrub/brush etc. Shifts all of the green stuff within a few days (though smells a bit "disinfecty" for a day or two. Continues to keeps the moss/algae at bay for a good few months
http://www.jeyes.co.uk/jeyesfluidJF.htm
NOT the "Path, Patio & Drive Cleaner" - just the standard/original Jeyes Fluid - diluted as per instructions on tin and applied with watering can. No need to scrub/brush etc. Shifts all of the green stuff within a few days (though smells a bit "disinfecty" for a day or two. Continues to keeps the moss/algae at bay for a good few months
goldblum said:
_dobbo_ said:
goldblum said:
B+Q
B+Q will come and clean my patio? ...sell Jeyes Fluid.
A better man than me might have intuited that "B+Q" is actually secret magic code for "Jeyes Fluid" but I guess I just wasn't up to the job. Now I'm sighing in despair over my inadequacies...
_dobbo_ said:
goldblum said:
_dobbo_ said:
goldblum said:
B+Q
B+Q will come and clean my patio? ...sell Jeyes Fluid.
A better man than me might have intuited that "B+Q" is actually secret magic code for "Jeyes Fluid" but I guess I just wasn't up to the job. Now I'm sighing in despair over my inadequacies...
Do try not to despair,we all have our faults.
Even me.
Not much you can do about it really tbh. Is it stone or concrete? some stone, especially the light colour indian sandstone is really bad for going green.
Like mentioned frequent power washing of concrete will eventually kill the slabs, i did a job once where the bloke had jetwashed the old slabs so much that when we lifted them (with about as much effort as reading a newspaper) they were literally crubling where they were so porous.
Being a paver i really should know but i don't really get involved with it i wonder how much having it sealed would help (easy to do yourself hence why i dont ever get involved), it would certainly protect the stone from jetwashing.
Like mentioned frequent power washing of concrete will eventually kill the slabs, i did a job once where the bloke had jetwashed the old slabs so much that when we lifted them (with about as much effort as reading a newspaper) they were literally crubling where they were so porous.
Being a paver i really should know but i don't really get involved with it i wonder how much having it sealed would help (easy to do yourself hence why i dont ever get involved), it would certainly protect the stone from jetwashing.
I used a karcher for years, no detergent, which has an immediate impact. However asyou leave all the algae spores it comes back realquick
Similar to jeyes I suspect found Patio Magic , made by Brinton Products Ltd in local garden centre, tenner for 5 litres, sprinkle on diluted with can so you keep away from lawn does a great job over couple of days killing the algae & spores but more importantly lasts for months.
Similar to jeyes I suspect found Patio Magic , made by Brinton Products Ltd in local garden centre, tenner for 5 litres, sprinkle on diluted with can so you keep away from lawn does a great job over couple of days killing the algae & spores but more importantly lasts for months.
Over the last couple of years I have used a weak solution of Stabilised Chlorine Granules that I've got for the hot tub water, also works a treat on cleaning the glass roof of the conservatory and the garden water feature of algae and stops it smelling after a winter of non use.
Edited by Graham-P on Thursday 6th January 22:24
Graham-P said:
Over the last couple of years I have used a weak solution of Stabilised Chlorine Granules that I've got for the hot tub water, also works a treat on cleaning the glass roof of the conservatory and the garden water feature of algae and stops it smelling after a winter of non use.
That's what I was thinking as I have a hot tub too so could use some of the chlorine granules on them, well it's going to be a busy weekend for meEdited by Graham-P on Thursday 6th January 22:24
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