Cleaning the patio

I use a power cleaner, it has a small pressure nozzle(which I rarely use) and a round brush which I use for the patio.
I have and Indian sand stone patio and the brush brings it up amazingly and it's just water no chemicals.
If you have black algae this is very difficult to clear but it can be done you just need patience.
The only thing we have found that does the job is Wet and Forget.
You spray on and leave, it may take more than one application but it does get rid it.
My patio now compared to 4 years ago looks as good as new after using the brush and the Wet and Forget.
www.wetandforget.co.uk/shop/wet-forget/wet-forget-5l/

I too had a Pressure washer as a present, which I eventually donated to charity, I couldn't lift the thing. I use a stiff garden broom, bio wash powder and bleach and work it in, I try to do it before heavy rain that cwashes it all off, if not I just use a watering can and slosh it on.

Totally off subject but what a fabulous word *tired old woman*:
the moss and dirt all wheeched away.

Back on subject, I also use a pressure washer.

Ps don't mind a bit of moss or greenery.Just to it x2 a year to make it safe and not slippy on our main patio as I cross it early morning each day to the bird feeder and have fallen more than once .On the other older paths I let the moss grow between the flags.

Did mine yesterday with buckets of water with a tiny amount of bleach and a bit if ecological washing up liquid and scrubbed with a yard brush.Quick swill with the hosepipe.The landscaper who laid the patio advised us not to use a pressure washer as he said most people can't resist using too strong a pressure and in time it damages the mortar between.He may be wrong but I rather like the work out and satisfaction of physically scrubbing it.

rosecarmel
Your not alone. I love moss, beautiful plants.

My DS bought me a pressure washer for Christmas a couple of years ago. It was hard to look grateful! He is the only one that has used in (only once) which resulted in exactly why I hate them. All the moss and gunge was washed into the lawn which also flooded and took days to become less than a bog! The water all ran down into one corner and lay there for days. The windows were covered in streaks. Yes it looked clean for a while but soon got grubby again. Plus I had to dry the stupid damn machine out and put it away.

What do I do? Use the watering can or the hosepipe then use a yard brush. Great exercise and much less messy. sometimes I use a little bit of household bleach on tough spots and so far it does not have appeared to have affected any grass or plants.

Silly question perhaps .. is moss bad? I think it's pretty ..

hurrah any, we agree. I put a bit of white vinegar on bad stains first.

power washer does a great job, no chemicals and just water, so no harm dome

Thanks Flex

certainly should do.

Will power washing get rid of bird poo on brick paving? A lot of bird poo!! Since we lost our little cat I've been feeding the wild birds and the mess is indescribable!

<PS I hate “going forward” as a version of “in future” as you might have gathered.>

Likewise FlexibleFriend - but I do find the wellies useful - I am a total klutz where water is concerned. And as for “particles in the air” they presumably came from the air in the first place -dust, soot, dirt- apart from the bird poo!
I too don’t use chemicals, with a dog I would worry that I might be polluting the grass .

My kettle is redundant we never drink tea or coffee so a kettle full of water would do about a square foot of patio. Nor sure what use that would be as my patio is quite large. Not to mention the risk of scalding myself in the event of spillage. I'll stick to my pressure washer and have never got particle anywhere near my face. After a while you develop a technique and yeah I get wet feet and my shins get a bit damp but that's it. I don't use chemicals as I'm wary of their use around my dogs. Water does no harm even with added pressure.

Bob flowerdew mentioned this on GQT last weekend.
If it’s only a small area just keep going out with the remains of the hot water in your kettle when you make a cup of tea.
( other drinks are available!)
Won’t work for us unfortunately.

I just sweep mine too Gonegirl as it's less effort.

You could walk backwards GabriellaG I actually do.

Has anyone thought about the airborne particles 'thrown up' by pressure washers. Some of all the stuff you're hoping to remove will be inhaled by you as you work going forward.

I clear up after my dogs every day and then hose down the patio. I pressure wash it once a year to get rid of accumulated dirt. My patio is pointed and the pointing is fine after 20+ years of being pressure washed. Water is all that's needed in the pressure washer so why buy additional products regardless of how environmental they claim to be. Horses for courses I'd say, not everyone is the same and nor are their patio's.

Am I the only one who just sweeps hers? Very occasionally.

Having had to have my' local quarry slate' patio repointed at ' great ' cost I was advised 'next time you want to give it a clean GO easy with the pressure washer.
In future I will be using a product that you ' spray and wash off.

Power washer is the best solution

Algon is organic and works really well especially on moss and monobloc. If not a huge area works out not too expensive. Other than that Kercher washer with brush. High power washers are inclined to remove any sand in between slabs etc and you almost need a full biochemical suit for protection, really messy!