Spring is just around the corner, so it’s time to give your Indian sandstone paving a new lease of life. What better way to do this than by giving it a good clean? Now, our sandstone paving is more than strong enough to withstand the elements in our ever-unpredictable British climate. But while you won’t have to worry about its structural integrity, if you want to keep your beautiful stone patio looking at its very best, sometimes a bit of minor upkeep is required.
When it comes to cleaning your patio, you’ll be pleased to hear that most of the time it’s pretty simple! Most jobs won’t require you to hire a professional - for the most part, a bucket of hot soapy water, and a good stiff brush will do the job! We’ve got one or two tips for you on that score - here’s our advice on how to keep your Indian stone patio in the very best condition.
Prepare your patio and get your gear
Firstly, you’ll need to get all your equipment together. Happily, it’s not a great deal of stuff.
• A good stiff brush - you’ll need this to scrub the stones, especially if you’ve got some tough stains that need removing.
• Hot soapy water - fill a bucket up with washing up liquid and you’re good to go.
• Bleach - be very sparing with your use of this, as it can end up irreversibly staining your stones. You’ll probably find it’s only required for those extra tough jobs like burning through wine stains and removing weeds.
(A pressure washer can sometimes be helpful too, but if you’ve not got one then it’s not the end of the world.) Once you’ve got all your equipment together, move any furniture you may have out the way and we’re ready to begin.
Let’s start cleaning
To start with, you need to brush away any dirt or debris that could get in the way of your cleaning. It’s the same principle as brushing your kitchen floor before mopping - it just stops you from spreading the dirt everywhere when you pour the water.
Next, pour the hot, soapy water over your patio and make sure every stone is covered. This should loosen most stubborn dirt and stains, enabling you to easily shift them with your stiff-bristled brush. Once you’ve covered every inch of your patio, and it’s clear of dirt, rinse it with clean water (hosepipes are ideal for this).
Leave it to dry for 24 hours, and check it the next day. If your patio still isn’t clean, you might need to repeat the process again.
For that extra tough cleaning job
If you’ve tried everything else and your patio still isn’t spotless, you may need to consider some extra measures like using bleach or a power washer.If you decide to use bleach, use a half bleach, half water mix. Pour this over your patio, scrub it, and leave for it for 15 minutes. That should work its way through any tough stains that you may have trouble with. It’s vital that you remember to dilute the bleach because otherwise it can irritate your skin, eyes and respiratory system.
If you own a pressure washer, they make things even easier - we recommend that you start on the lowest pressure setting, and build your way up to gauge the amount of pressure needed. If you start too high, you risk inflicting impact damage to the surface of your stone, which can discolour the surface.
We also advise using a diagonal spray action instead of pointing your washer straight down at the patio, as this can also cause impact damage to your patio.
It’s really that simple! Here at Bridge Street Stone, we supply the highest quality sandstone paving in the whole of the UK. Our Indian sandstone is imported straight from ethically operated quarries in India, so if you’re looking to give your patio the perfect upgrade this spring, feel free to give us a call today on 01282 860571 - we’re happy to help!