Cleaning Block Paving

I can't imagine plain detergent with scrubbing being very effective. The discolouration is ingrained and due as much to algal growth as simple dirt. I've used 'Patio Magic' in the past.

I realise you don't want to use a jet washer,( even a Chinese one :-) ) but I found one of attachments comprising jets which also drive a rotating brush type worked better than I expected and far gentler than a direct blast from the std lance nozzle. mine came as a bonus "free" one and laid unused for years as we don't have a need but being time constrained when visiting elderly mother on a maintenance weekend I gave it a whirl and was pleasantly surprised. A presoak with some Sodium Hypochlorite bought from Mole valley farmers and then a passover with the brush gave an instant improvement to the blocks which had not been cleaned since laid about 7 years ago. No overspray splash due to the brush housing and was not so fierce as to disturb the sand between the blocks to any significant degree. I doubt if it abraided the blocks any more than the stiff brush would. However if you just want to a manual brush then I would stick with the Sodium Hyplochlorite as it is relatively cheap bought from agricultural merchants at about £11 plus vat for 25l .

You just may have to consider run off for environmental reasons

G.Harman

bleach

NT

Yes a spell checker.. grin. Actually, my problem is moss in the pores of all paved and concreted areas. Despite killing it off during the brief summer with chemicals, its starting to come back. My Gardener person says not to use pressure washing as half the concrete and synthetic paving will go due to the minute cracks used by the moss.

Brian

Try brushing down with a solution of Armillotox. It will kill the moss.

Jonathan

Ajax or Vim scouring powder would have been my first choice for this sort of job* being far more effective than washing powder. You can get Vim in Robert Dyas at ?1.79 for 750g.

michael adams

• It maybe depends how dirty it is. Washing up powder will shift "everyday dirt" but ISTR scouring powder as being more effective at shifting anything more challenging

...

Maybe if you've got 'nice' clay blocks, I've pressure washed mine (bog standard brindle/grey concrete ones) and other than ending up cleaner, didn't look ruined in any way.

Some chap over the road has spent all afternoon pressure washing the bricks of his house, now *that* I understand will remove all the sand texture from the bricks and make them look pretty bland afterwards ...

I use cheap bleach in a watering can mixed with water does the job for me. I do it about 3 times a year, and it also kills moss. Then a few days later I just scrape out the dead moss, and the jobs a goodun.