Patio slabs past their sell by date

I have a small patio are at the back of my house. I slabbed this with 30" x 24" concrete slabs about 25 years ago. I have used a pressure cleaner on these on an annual basis for several years and the slabs are now very rough and worn. It seems that the more I clean them the quicker they turn black and mossy again.

I am not fit enough to lift and re-lay these slabs myself so I will be employing someone to do this for me if it comes to that but is there any way of refreshing the existing slabs?

I was wondering if I could clean them and then treat them with some sort of concrete wash?

 

Hi BDW and welcome to the forum.

I have some concrete paving slabs - that looked all nice colours when I laid them, but now are starting to go off. I am not sure, but it could be that when they are new the lime in them stops things growing, but as they weather the lime goes and algae starts to grow.

You can buy concrete paint - used on things like garage floors - but it may not give the look you want.

 

i have a pattern imprinted concrete drive and use something like this

http://www.smartseal.co.uk/patio-sealer/patio-sealer.htm

i find it really improves the look of it

loopy

 

Interesting. Is that stuff available in different colours?

 

You could try concrete cleaner available from builders merchants.

It's actually dilute hydrochloric acid and it works very well.

 

Yes, I have some of that and I am going to use it but it's not just the fact that the slabs get dirty that is a concern. They are also quite pitted through repeatedly using the pressure washer. I wanted to use something that would perhaps help to fill up the pitting.

 

can the slabs be turned over the other side might be ok.

 

Unfortunately the other side has been used as well. I got a deal on these slabs when they were being lifted from a site that was to be developed. I flipped them at that time. :wink:

 

OK, try this.

Mix grey paint and sand into a very thick consistency and paint this on your slabs. If you get it right, it can look like old stone.

 

Have you tried this or do you want me to be the guinea pig? :skp:

 

Are you man or mouse?

I have done it (but it took a couple of tries - you have to get it really thick.)

P.S. It was on a wall. People don't walk on the side of walls so I don't know how it would stand up to being walked upon.

 

i would say the stuff i posted wont improve the pitted surface it will just seal it

no it doesnt come in colours but you can put some colour in to darken the surface

its looking like you might have to consider replacement

what about replacing some of the worst slabs with some recycled ones of the same size - shouldnt be too expensive

loopy

loopy

 

The are all in much the same condition but it's not the expense that's the problem. It's the hassle.