Clean it on a warm day: take advantage of a warm winter day to clean your patio, even if it's just a simple sweep with a broom. This simple upkeep prevents the buildup of de-icers, sand, or debris that might cause stains.
Always take care in winter, as snow and ice can make your patio slippery. Keep up the maintenance throughout the winter and sweep snow and water off your paving, preventing it from freezing over, and preventing you from safely enjoying your garden winter landscape.
When is the best time of the year to pressure wash a patio? Spring and summer are the best seasons to pressure wash patios.
If you're looking to keep your paving safe to use over the winter months, this £10 patio cleaner will 'transform' your paving slabs 'from green to white', keeping them clean and slip-free. Removing and preventing the build-up of algae, mould and dirt from paving, the Patio Magic!
If it's in a sunny spot, apply between once a year and once every two years. At my previous property, which had a large patio area, I sprayed Patio Magic onto the surface once a year in the spring, and I had excellent results.
Giving your patio a power wash at the start of the warm weather season will rid it of any dirt, mildew or algae growth and have it looking good as new. That first power wash should keep your patio clean throughout the summer and is best to be repeated each year at the start of the Spring.
Mop and sweep regularly
“Try sweeping with a stiff broom and spot cleaning with a long-handled scrub brush as needed,” Barnard says. “Always scrub with the grain to avoid scratching or damaging the surface of your deck,” she adds. Mopping once a month helps remove stubborn dirt, debris, and cocktail spills.
Vinegar can be applied directly or in a 1:1 ratio with water. In the case of bicarbonate soda, dissolve 1 to 5 tablespoons in 10 litres of water, depending on the degree of soiling. The mixture must now soak in for 15 to 20 minutes. The patio is then cleaned with a scrubber and finally rinsed with clean water.
You can use a pressure washer on wooden decking, stones or brick paved patios which are bound together with concrete. However, we don't recommend using it to clean a block-paved patio, as it will simply wash away all the sand and dirt which binds the bricks together.
One of the best things for household stains is white vinegar, and the same can be said for how it targets stubborn garden dirt. This eco-friendly solution is made up of equal parts vinegar and water, which is then left to soak into the patio to correct any discolouration and also remove tough marks.
Pressure Washers
One of the best ways to successfully clean winter off of your concrete surfaces is to use a pressure washer. When selecting a washer, Concrete Network says to choose one that has a rating of at least 3,000 psi and a 4 gallon per minute (gpm) flow rate.
“Prolonged or hard frosts can put a stop to construction work. For traditional sand cement mortars used for laying paving flags, the typical guide is that they should not be used unless the ambient temperature is 3°C or above.
Dirt and mud are probably the most common culprit behind a dirty patio, but they are also the easiest to clean. However, the organic growth that populates the rest of the above list can be pesky and pervasive. Algae, mold, mildew, lichen, and moss thrive in damp environments.
Do I need to seal my patio and pavers? By using a patio sealant, you can help protect your paving stones from stains such as dirt and oils, plus give it a UV resistance to help maintain the natural stone colours.
Experts say they can do the trick for the patio as well. 'You can remove black spots easily from patios in an eco-friendly, low-cost way, with white vinegar,' says Laura Harnett, Founder, Seep. 'It has antifungal and antibacterial properties and will also stop the mould or lichen growing back.
You can expect a concrete or brick paver patio to last 25 to 45 years, with an average of 35 years. Proper installation is critical and begins with a well-compacted base. Maintenance is also important, such as regular re-application of a surface sealer and repair/replacement of damaged pavers.
Pour the Patio and Drive Cleaner straight out of the bottle and into your pump sprayer or watering can. Cover the area you want to clean with the solution and leave it for at least two hours. You can speed up the process by gently using a brush to agitate the surface dirt, but for best results, leave it overnight.
Lifespan of Patio Stone & Pavers
Most patio pavers, including flagstone, interlocking pavers and brick, have an extremely long lifespan that can be measured in decades rather than years. Stone can last for thousands of years in nature, so why would it not do the same as part of your patio?
Store inside if possible, either in a shed or a garage. At the very least, use fitted outdoor furniture covers to protect your patio furniture from the elements. Take care of your patio furniture this winter.