Cleaning paving stones of moss/mould

[Nigello]

http://tikkostonecare.co.uk/img/img2.png

Would hot, soapy water and a bit of elbow grease with a stiff brush be a good way of getting rid of mould/lichen on paving stones, or is there a better way? (Mine is not as bad as the image.)

[nxjen]

Hot water with bleach and a stiff brush should do it though I'm always careful to rinse the bleachy water away so as not to harm any animals walking on it. Will take a few days for the lichen to disappear but I've always found it effective.

ETA Perhaps do a test area first to see it doesn't discolour the stone.

[Nigello]

Thanks - I did think about bleach but am worried about causing discolouration. Other thoughts?

[ruffers]

Get hold of a pressure washer, that'll do it.

[intexasatthe moment]

I'd go for beach diluted in hot water .Might make the paving stones a little lighter but no more than much elbow grease and scrubbing would .

I'm not very up on the horrors of bleach from an eco point of view but possibly use white vinegar if this is a concern .

[Mick Mac]

Defo a pressure washer - once a year in early spring normally gets them v clean.

[Tractorlad]

Another shout-out for a pressure washer. Far the easiest solution.

[Seabag]

Go to Jewsons or Build base and buy 'Patio Cleaner'

It's a stone friendly acid that's made for just that job. Pour on, spread and then light bass broom into the surface. Hose off with regular hose. Read the H&S instructions

Moss shall be no more

[Lynne]

If you use bleach, it will kill any small thing underneath, such as worms. I tried it once and felt an absolute monster as they came wriggling and writhing to the surface on the surrounding areas

[Nigello]

Thanks

Is it easy to hire a pressure washer, or even hire someone who will do it? (I'd prefer to here real-life examples on the EDF than go and search it on Google, etc.)

[Seabag]

The pressure washer, much as its fun, takes a fair time and doesn't kill off the slime film for long

Go for the 'patio cleaner' stuff along with it

[DulwichFox]

Nigello

I have a Pressure washer.. but you would need an outside tap which is Threaded to take the hose adapters..

I have a hose and extension power lead and cut-out safety switch.

See below.

DulwichFox

P.S. also have soap solution that can be applied at pressure.

[uncleglen]

I use a deck brush, it has a smaller head longer handle and is very stiff- with the patio cleaner...I used to leave it but nearly came a cropper on a particularly slippery bit on e winter...it all disappears in the spring and summer

[Seabag]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Nigello

>

> I have a Pressure washer.. but you would need an

> outside tap which is Threaded to take the hose

> adapters..

> I have a hose and extension power lead and

> cut-out safety switch.

>

> See below.

>

> https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A

> Nd9GcQHmRiq63OR-easb8obGg61GbRCPG_tg2SauGaWYU3bChW

> zlFlQ

>

> DulwichFox

>

> P.S. also have soap solution that can be applied

> at pressure.

I'd love to look in Foxy's shed

It's like a toy shop I imagine 😁

[Loz]

If you use a pressure washer, then learn from my mistake... don't fire it at a wooden fence. Cleared the paint/woodstain right off where it hit and left me with a second job to do.

[Gardenman]

There are specialist patio cleaning fluids that are harmless to plants & animals, plus the use of a good power washer should get the job done most efficiently. Beware of washing out the pointing between slabs, in which case, just apply the patio cleaner or Jeyes fluid & wash off with a stiff brush after 20-30 mins. One word of warning, power washers are not to be pointed at anything other than what you are cleaning, they can cut human skin & as said earlier, they will damage or affect other things they are pointed at! Oh, and wear wellington boots! Have fun!

[pop9770]

I've tried everything

Pressure washing is a nightmare damages and the mould just spreads even more.

The only guaranteed solution that always works for me is sika mould buster

?18 for 5ltrs which is then diluted it's a bargain

I use it in a pump sprayer on a warm day with no wind

Works a treat on patios paths roofs walls fencing and brick work.

Wish I'd found it years ago

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/351563958922?lpid=122&chn=ps&adgroupid=36084540643&rlsatarget=pla-271887750156&adtype=pla&poi=&googleloc=9045878&device=t&campaignid=698615505&crdt=0&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fmtid%253D1673%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D159563030297_563391%2526itemid%253D351563958922%2526targetid%253D271887750156%2526device%253Dt%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253a%25252f%25252fwww.ebay.co.uk%25252fitm%25252flike%25252f351563958922%25253flpid%25253d122%252526chn%25253Dps%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9045878%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D698615505%2526adgroupid%253D36084540643%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-271887750156%2526gclid%253DCNSYieTKjNECFRA8GwodCIwMsg%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D1144146911664

[DulwichFox]

Seabag Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> DulwichFox Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Nigello

> >

> > I have a Pressure washer.. but you would need

> an

> > outside tap which is Threaded to take the hose

> > adapters..

> > I have a hose and extension power lead and

> > cut-out safety switch.

> >

> > See below.

> >

> >

> https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A

> >

> Nd9GcQHmRiq63OR-easb8obGg61GbRCPG_tg2SauGaWYU3bChW

>

> > zlFlQ

> >

> > DulwichFox

> >

> > P.S. also have soap solution that can be

> applied

> > at pressure.

>

>

> I'd love to look in Foxy's shed

>

> It's like a toy shop I imagine 😁

I have TWO sheds, both full of crap..

I am a helpless hoarder.. I save every Screw.. Nut & Bolt... Washer.. Clip... Spring... Hinge...

Where do you think Dulwich DIY gets all its stock from. ? lol

Foxy

[pop9770]

Foxy

One of the best ?250's I ever spent was for a skip to get rid of my shed contents.

I realised every time I wanted something I thought I had in my shed I either couldn't find it or didn't have it it wasted hours of my time.

Now I just buy what I need when I need it and use my shed to store tools and items which are of actual value.

Cathartic

[Seabag]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Seabag Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > DulwichFox Wrote:

> >

> --------------------------------------------------

>

> > -----

> > > Nigello

> > >

> > > I have a Pressure washer.. but you would

> need

> > an

> > > outside tap which is Threaded to take the

> hose

> > > adapters..

> > > I have a hose and extension power lead and

> > > cut-out safety switch.

> > >

> > > See below.

> > >

> > >

> >

> https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A

> > >

> >

> Nd9GcQHmRiq63OR-easb8obGg61GbRCPG_tg2SauGaWYU3bChW

>

> >

> > > zlFlQ

> > >

> > > DulwichFox

> > >

> > > P.S. also have soap solution that can be

> > applied

> > > at pressure.

> >

> >

> > I'd love to look in Foxy's shed

> >

> > It's like a toy shop I imagine 😁

>

> I have TWO sheds, both full of crap..

>

> I am a helpless hoarder.. I save every Screw.. Nut

> & Bolt... Washer.. Clip... Spring... Hinge...

> Where do you think Dulwich DIY gets all its stock

> from. ? lol

>

> Foxy

Now there's a suprise 🤔😀