cleaning concrete footpaths

the digger

can anyone tell me whats the best way to clean paths around a house.House only 4 yaers old but paths are filthy

Victor

A power hose is an option, but not when there is a risk of severe frost.

Sand blasting is an alternative, but is quite harsh.

funkydunkey

you could also look at using water, a bag of lime and a brush. its great for getting rid of green scum and moss and stuff.

CJhaughey

If you are trying to remove moss and algal growth the best thing is Granular Chlorine, you can get it from Pool supply shops, failing that Farm stores sell strong bleach for milking parlours.
Wet the surface and sprinkle the chlorine or bleach on and work in with a brush.
You don't need to scrub but just make sure the whole area is completely covered with chlorine.
Leave for 30 mins or longer and wash off. This will bring concrete up very well.
You will notice any spots that were missed but these are easily done again.
Oil stains etc need special stuff that you get from a motor factors.

jack of all

Jeyes fluid is great for cleaning paths and drives also, mix with water and spray/ brush on. Leave to act on the areas and scrub off with a yard brush and clean water.

cnocbui

Pressure washer. It would avoid poisoning your plants with chlorine. Does a great job on my paths.

LK_Dave

Bleach. Wet the concrete, just empty the bottle of bleach, brush in and leave for a couple of hours. Then just hose off if it does not rain in the mean time. You can pick up 5 liters of bleach in Lidl for under E2.

the digger

will the bleach do any damage to the asphalt dive way around the paths

LK_Dave

the digger wrote: »

will the bleach do any damage to the asphalt dive way around the paths

I don't see why it would......best to test on a small patch before proceeding......whatever you do, don't use a powerwasher on the asphalt.

straighttohell

I tried the bleach recently, brushed it in like mad. It was about as useful as relieving myself after a skinfull. I might try that milking parlour poision.....

_Brian

straighttohell wrote: »

I tried the bleach recently, brushed it in like mad. It was about as useful as relieving myself after a skinfull. I might try that milking parlour poision.....

The "milking parlour poision" is called Hypochloride..

Its just bleach but really cheap... you should buy 20l for ~€20

just mix it on a watering can and spread it over the paths... leave for 3-4 hours, then a quick run with a power washer will leave them looking new..

I know people who use a 10l garden sprayer and spray walls etc to kill moss/algi greening

straighttohell

Thanks Brian.
I'll try that. I ordered a new Power Washer, the one I've got isnt worth a fiddlers. Hypochloride it is then

studdlymurphy

straighttohell wrote:

Thanks Brian. I'll try that. I ordered a new Power Washer, the one I've got isnt worth a fiddlers. Hypochloride it is then

The milking parlour stuff is unreal pour it on undiluted with a watering can leave it for 20 or 30 mins then clean it off with the power washer. It will look like new

aido 1976

I also have the problem with the concrete going green, which I use bleach and scrub, then power wash. But it returns after a couple of months. Any suggestions on preventing the return

_Brian

aido 1976 wrote: »

I also have the problem with the concrete going green, which I power use bleach and scrub, then power wash. But it returns after a couple of months. Any suggestions on preventing the return

there is no real prevention.. its a factor of our climate, consistant damp weather is great to grow moss and algi, its a problem.

aido 1976

Problem, pain in the ass more like. Would sealing the concrete with some thing like thompsons or the like, have any advantage

badboyblast

Anyone ever seal Indian sandstone? Wonder if it is any use

Rootsblower

If you have a moss problem spread any biological washing powder on the problem area then give a light sprinkle of water so it doesn’t blow alway.

Non-bio washing powder will not work. Added bonus is it ain’t poisonous like bleach and won’t stain whatsoever it’s excellent on tarmac. Leave it a day or two moss goes black and dies the power wash off , hey presto

gozunda

aido 1976 wrote: »

I also have the problem with the concrete going green, which I use bleach and scrub, then power wash. But it returns after a couple of months. Any suggestions on preventing the return

Move country to someplace where things outside don't dissolve/ rust / turn green (sometimes even simultaneously) - only permanent solution imo ...

On a serious note be very careful using Chloras / Agrictural strength bleach - it can damage skin and cause serious breathing problems if used carelessly...

Czhornet

The trouble with power washing paths is all the sh1te that was on the paths gets washed and sprayed on to the tarmac driveway and then that looks crap.
I use chloros from an Agri store with no problems, put it on with a watering can and leave it there without scrubbing or washing, we get enough rain to do that!!

bulbs2010

The milking parlour stuff from a farm supply shop is brilliant it leaves the concrete like new