GETTING PATIOS READY FOR SPRING

As spring approaches, now is the ideal time to get paths and patios ready. These areas will benefit greatly from a thorough clean every couple of months or so – ideally, three times during the spring and summer seasons and twice during the winter. Surfaces that are regularly cleaned will be far easier to keep clean. Regular cleaning of inside-to-outside surfaces, like those that run through bifold doors, will also help maintain a seamless aesthetic.

A note about pressure washing

A blast with a jet wash may seem like a quick and easy way to clean pavers but it will only wash dirt off the surface. Use of excessive amounts of water can exacerbate staining and slip issues. Jet washing can also loosen grout, erode a stone surface and damage any protective sealant applied. A specialist treatment will react with ingrained residue and organic matter, drawing it out of the stone’s porosity, and will also help to prevent regrowth of algae and other organic material.

Cleaning pavers – recommended products & methods

To properly remove stains and ingrained dirt, we recommend a thorough wash with ECOPROTEC Intensive Cleaner. This treatment is also especially effective at removing leaf stains, including those left by Sycamore leaves. Before cleaning, remove furniture, pots and other objects, and sweep the area to remove dirt, debris and fallen leaves. Then, test your cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area.

How to apply ECOPROTEC Intensive Cleaner

To remove mild staining, dilute one part of the cleaner with 10 parts of warm water. Wash the surface thoroughly, using a brush or yard broom, and rinse with clean water.
For more severe staining, dilute one part of the cleaner with 3 parts of warm water. Agitate with a scrubbing brush and leave to act for 5-10 minutes, adding more solution to keep the surface wet.
Sweep up any residue and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

If your patio is prone to black spot, lichen, moss and algae, we recommend periodic treatment with ECOPROTEC Black Spot & Algae Remover, which will break down microspores and black spot ‘hyphae’ before they colonise. The Remover is acid-free, so it’s safe to use on acid-sensitive stone, but it does contain a bleaching action to remove stains. So, as before, test first on an inconspicuous area.

How to apply ECOPROTEC Black Spot & Algae Remover

Apply neat Blackspot onto clean pavers with a plastic watering can or light pressure garden spray.
Leave to absorb for 2-4 hours; the product will begin to fizz as it gets to work.
Hose off thoroughly with clean water.

Stopping water ingress

Once you’ve cleaned your pavers and they’re dry, it’s an ideal time to replace any lost jointing sand or cement mortar. This will stop the ingress of water and will help protect paving during the freeze and thaw cycle of winter.

Adding in protection

If your patio hasn’t been sealed, consider applying a protective treatment. We recommend ECOPROTEC Patio Sealer, Ultimate Sealer and Colour Enhancing Sealer for natural stone and our barrier treatment, ECOPROTEC Pre Grout Protection for matt porcelain pavers. These treatments are non-film forming and will help prevent the absorption of moisture and organic particles. They are also water-based, so can be applied over some residual moisture. As a rule of thumb, it is safe to apply a treatment provided that no rain is forecast for 24 hours, either side of application.