Over the winter months, moisture and bacteria can lead to moss and algae build-up, discolouring hard landscraping and making it slippery. Fallen leaves and other dirt and debris will also stain slabs, and a combination of rain, frost and UV will fade darker surfaces.
To remove dirt and slippery residues, it’s generally best to avoid acid-based products, as these can etch stone and eat away at grout. To intensively clean your patio from ground in dirt, grime, detritus and tannin stains, ECOPROTEC® Intensive Cleaner is a highly effective cleaner for all types of paving. For cleaning surfaces that have stubborn green and dark deposits, ECOPROTEC® Black Spot and Algae Remover, is a bleaching action that helps restore natural stone walls and paving to its original condition. Once clean, it’s worth protecting the surfaces from stains and the elements with a sealer – especially if the stone surface continues indoors, through bi-folds. Modern, water-based treatments, like ECOPROTEC® Patio Sealer or ECOPROTEC® Ultimate Sealer, can be applied in damp weather and provide a more convenient (and safer) alternative to spirit-based products.
Two new products are joining the British-made ECOPROTEC® range this year, to help restore hard landscaped areas. New ECOPROTEC® Cement, Grout & Salt Residue Remover removes grout and building residues, as well as salt marks caused by rising damp and an installation method called ‘spot fixing’. This new Remover replaces conventional acid, which would normally be used for the job, so it can safely be used on all types of tile and stone – indoors and outside – except those with a polished finish. Notably, it can be used on unpolished acid-sensitive surfaces, including limestone and travertine, without any risk of etching.
The second new treatment – ECOPROTEC® Black Stone Colour Restorer – is an outdoor impregnating sealer and restorer that restores the appearance of faded dark limestone, marble, slate, concrete and artificial stone surfaces. Blackstone is water-based, so it’s safe and convenient to apply, and it provides further protection against the elements. It’s applied in multiple coats until the desired colour effect is achieved – from dark grey to ebony – and it can also be used to restore stone fireplace hearths.
For free samples of the new products, and for more information and advice on hard landscaping maintenance, please visit www.ecoprotec.co.uk or contact LTP on tel. 01823 666213 or email technical@ecoprotec.co.uk
