Oh dear, think i messed up. - Driveway now white!!

ajw1100 · Post: # 60344Post **ajw1100** Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:47 pm

HELP!
For some time (Around 10 years) I have used a pva solution to seal in the sand between the block pavers using a soluble pva thinned down 6-1 with water. The 'shed' suggested I use a waterproof version instead of the water soluble one.
My drive is now only normal when wet as when it dries out it is white!!!!

Is there anyway to fix it, or will I just have to wait until it wears off? I have tried scrubbing with a still broom and lots of water but still white.

Thanks
Alan.

RAPressureWashing · Tue Mar 08, 2011 4:37 pm

Can you post a photo of the drive, we might be able to steam it off or acid wash it.

ajw1100 · Post: # 60376Post **ajw1100** Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:38 pm

Thank you for your reply, If I was still working and not living off my savings I would certainly go for the commercial solution. However I am too old to get a job and too young for a state pension!

I am really looking for some DIY suggestions as I have lots of time but little cash, I do appreciate your offer though.

Alan.

Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:02 pm

Alan, Roger's services are not life threateningly expensive
and he is a very helpful guy
where roughly in herts are you? i am working in north herts ATM if you are on my route I could swing by
cheers LLL

local patios and driveway · Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:04 pm

i wonder if a floor sander may do the trick? may be expensive on the belts but its a machine thats easily hired. just thinking out loud

RAPressureWashing · Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:48 am

Alan,
If you want to pm me a phone number I'll give you a call and try to talk you through a DIY fix, but if you could upload photo first so I can see what you are dealing with.

ajw1100 · Post: # 60424Post **ajw1100** Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:13 am

Hi.

Thanks for the offer Roger, of course it rained last night so looks okay at the moment!

I used a power washer on some of the blocks to see if this would remove the horrible residue but won't know the success rate until it dries up. If this works then I will continue but if not I will take and, post a photo once I have worked out how to!!
(I guess that 'IMAGE' button is a clue....)

I am in Radlett near Watford.

Regards

Alan.

RAPressureWashing · Wed Mar 09, 2011 12:40 pm

Hi Alan,

Not a problem, let me know how it turns out.

Wed Mar 09, 2011 5:13 pm

radlett!!! i thought you were all millionaires down that way :;):
I'm in knebworth right now but moving on to arkley,high barnet next week,be coming back roughly your direction

my neighbour, against my advice used thomsons patio ruiner on his clay paver drive (because it was cheap)
that went white for about 6 months but seems to have weathered off now
time is a great healer
LLL

ajw1100 · Post: # 60442Post **ajw1100** Wed Mar 09, 2011 5:55 pm

No, we are not all rolling around in Cayanne's and Range Rovers although there are a LOT of them around. I don't mind as they hold the prices of property up which is good for us!

The power washer test showed a great improvement so I have now washed a larger area and will see if it cleans the problem up.

Regards

Alan.

ajw1100 · Post: # 60502Post **ajw1100** Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:25 pm

After 3 goes of power washing the finish is nearly back to normal. There are still some streaks of white where I missed but when the blocks are wet the white is impossible to see!

I hope the 2 photos will show the problem, it was raining this morning so the white patch was the bit under the car.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u273/ajw1100/Image001.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u273/ajw1100/Image000.jpg

My next task after cleaning is to seal in the jointing sand, I had thought to use Keybond but the cost seems rather high, typically around Â£45~50! Is there anything else I can use? I do not want a yukky gloss finish, the area is around 55~60sq Metres.

Alan.