Indian sandstone - cleaning algae

mo-uk · Post: # 61666Post **mo-uk** Thu Apr 07, 2011 4:29 pm

Hi

Due to the exceptionally wet winter down here I have some severe greeny stuff on my idnian sandstone - and it appears to be algae.

According to the site the best way to clean is by using thin bleach.

http://www.pavingexpert.com/maintain_02.htm

I will probably go down to a large supermarket or the 99p shop to buy some bleach but before I do can anyone recommend a specific brand and a specific amount to dilute by?

Also most of my patio is 'walled in' so there is not a huge number of places for the stuff to drain away to. So I am concerned it will stay gloopy and stucj to the surface - does it need to be mega mega diluted so its just like water?

Also is there any need to brush/scrub it in? Or brush the ground after the bleach has been washed away?

haggistini · Post: # 61675Post **haggistini** Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:03 pm

weathers nice this weekend get the jetwash on it and squirt anyone whos near........ SUMMER IS HERE!!!!

Thu Apr 07, 2011 9:29 pm

probably easier to get R and A pressure washing to do it Mo
LLL

mo-uk · Post: # 61683Post **mo-uk** Thu Apr 07, 2011 9:36 pm

Not sure I wnat to spend money on getting a pro in - cannot afford it

I can prob borrow a pressure washer though - but it will only be a domestic one.

Thu Apr 07, 2011 11:44 pm

waste of time mo,those little karcher things
did the movement ever stop?
IIIRC you had some issues with the installation ?
cheers LLL

mo-uk · Post: # 61689Post **mo-uk** Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:02 am

I havent been on the forum for ages, since last summer! So I cannot remember which post you might be reffering to but I did take one slab up and relay it

Once I had my patio down I then had to move on to other more 'green' gardening stuff like turfing and plants so I have had no time to enjoy lying on a recliner on the patio.

Now I have this bloody green stuff to deal with!

I will try the bleach method first

I note you can buy specialised moss/algae killers - just an expensive alternative or do they have specific chemicals that kill algae?

mo-uk · Post: # 61753Post **mo-uk** Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:14 pm

to update I bought sainsburys value thin bleach and tried soaking a section for 3-4 mins. No great results but I then tried scrubbing with a brook and it made a noticeable difference.

Today I brrowed my brothers pressure washer to see if that was better or quicker and it works a dream, easily brings up the algae and the bits I have done look like new.

Will have to do it over a couple of days as the unit makes a bit of a noise and creates a lot of water!

its a dometic pressure washer but its made by/branded by RAC.

haggistini · Post: # 61754Post **haggistini** Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:37 pm

haggistini wrote:weathers nice this weekend get the jetwash on it and squirt anyone whos near........ SUMMER IS HERE!!!!

I regard good crush and run better than type one and would advise it for driveways as I've had no frost heave from it ever !!! What do they cost as I got a fair bit of church stone to crush down for 4 houses to go back on site

RAPressureWashing · Thu Apr 14, 2011 6:10 pm

Mo,

One of our chemical mixes is on the main site, under stain removal I think, you this and it will remove your algae problems.

Nothing wrong with domestic washers, we use them when doing roof top gardens etc, plus the right chemicals.

haggistini · Post: # 61873Post **haggistini** Thu Apr 14, 2011 6:40 pm

haggistini wrote:
haggistini wrote:weathers nice this weekend get the jetwash on it and squirt anyone whos near........ SUMMER IS HERE!!!!

I regard good crush and run better than type one and would advise it for driveways as I've had no frost heave from it ever !!! What do they cost as I got a fair bit of church stone to crush down for 4 houses to go back on site

Posted this in the wrong thread sorry