Thick algae on paving slabs!!!

My paved area is turning green and some of it is quite thick. looks horrid I was wondering if shingle placed on top would cure the problem? With 3 dogs I can't chance using chemicals any ideas??

Val

 

Some good cheap pressure washers around. Good fun as well.

Cheers, Tony.

 

Yes, trouble is I haven't got a hose. Would shingle on top cure it? or would algae grow on that as well?

Val

 

A hose would be a lot cheaper investment than shingle Val and algae would still grow on shingle. As said in earlier posts, bleach is the best option.

 

I think a strong solution of cheap bleach is the best way to go on this Val.
PavingExpert explains the method to use , it is about half way down on this page.
http://www.pavingexpert.com/maintain_03.htm
You can buy "Patio Cleaner" solutions from all the sheds . To my experience I have found these to be expensive and not very effective.

 

Best thing I've used on algae (better than bleach in my experience) is Jeyes Fluid.

I use it as a spot treatment occasionally, but I jetwash the patio twice a year and the algae does take quite a while to grow back.

 

I'm assuming you're thinking of using shingle as a sort of 'sandpaper' and covering? Well, it might do the former but will also slide about (probably more so if it's on top of paving), it'll also go everywhere, you'll get it stuck in your shoes, if your dogs are like mine, it'll get - temporarily - stuck in their paws and deposited all over the place, they'll run around, slide on it and send showers of gravel in all directions and won't solve the problem. Bleach is fine if you don't mind using harsh chemicals, but you can't. A pressure washer is fine if you've got one, but you haven't.

I'd spend a bit of time scraping off what you can, either by getting down on your hands and knees or using a 'deck brush' (available from B&Q, Homebase etc.) and lots of clean hot water. Then get yourself something called 'Patio Magic' - again in B&Q, Homebase, Wickes or Amazon - and use that. It's what I use, and although you do have to exclude pets, that's only until it's dry. It doesn't kill the stuff in 24 hours or anything like that, but it certainly works.

 

Forgot about Jeyes , I do use this in parts on my "Autumn" patio clean.
Do you find Patio Magic effective Fidgetsmum ? I have not used this type before.
Wilkos sell PM at £7 for 2.5 litres.
I have used De-Solv It from Screwfix , and you could see the chemical action when applied. It is £6.39 For 5 litres
http://www.screwfix.com/p/de-solv-it-path-patio-cleaner-5ltr/12627
For my normal patio cleaning I just use a cheap detergent in very hot water, scrub with a yard brush and then jet-wash . Its not my favourite outdoors chore.

 

I do bleach as well make up a strong solution in a bucket warm water , then dip and scrub dip and scrub leave for a hour, wash down with the hose , maybe not the best thing to use but its better than falling on your bottom !


Spruce

 

I have been toying with the idea of getting some Wet & Forget which is quite pricey but if it works, it'll be worth it and it's quite gentle.

They sell it in Costco in the US but not sure if they do over here.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=wet & forget&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=12951917700&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=20997245231158260933&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_5a1h7qqdss_e

ps MereWorld your link is the Glasgow based supplier