Cleaning Patio Indian Sandstone - Power wash?

aj9648

Hi

Just looking at tidying up my flags in the back. I have an indian sandstone flags similar to this

http://lsd.co.uk/indian-sandstone-paving-rippon-buff-circles

Just wondering if its ok to power wash this material or should i avoid?

Any alternatives?

cyclonebri1

It's probably the best thing you could do to it, if there is any spelching it's best removed.

There is a lot of argument about the use of Indian stone in the UK garden, both ethical and practical.
The general consensus is that it hasn't been around long enough, (isn't 100million years long enough), for it's longevity to be tested under out climatic conditions.

Me, I have loads in the garden for paving and copings, dam hard material, close in hardness to flint in terms of workability, I see no reason to think it a "tender" material.;)

aj9648

Thanks

I have noticed it is proned to lichen though and seen a few spots on my patio!!!

cyclonebri1

aj9648 wrote: »

Thanks

I have noticed it is proned to lichen though and seen a few spots on my patio!!!

No more than any other stone really, some would actually say it adds character/age.

The only thing that will be damaged with a pressure washer is the pointing.;)

twohooter_2

I have the same sandstone laid as a (quite large) path at the front of my house. I power wash it annually using a power washer with a patio cleaner attachment. IMHO this attachment is worth every penny as it cleans the path beautifully with little effort and practically no disturbance to the pointing. The sandstone looks great when washed and in my case is proving to be very hardwearing and attractive - so my advice would be to certainly power wash it but do consider the attachment to avoid re pointing.

Treen

twohooter wrote: »

I have the same sandstone laid as a (quite large) path at the front of my house. I power wash it annually using a power washer with a patio cleaner attachment. IMHO this attachment is worth every penny as it cleans the path beautifully with little effort and practically no disturbance to the pointing. The sandstone looks great when washed and in my case is proving to be very hardwearing and attractive - so my advice would be to certainly power wash it but do consider the attachment to avoid re pointing.

Could you tell me which power washer you have?
TIA
Treen

cyclonebri1

I also have the same rotary attachment as you 2hooter, came as part of a "bundle offer" along with the parent Karcher unit. Must admit I haven't used in on a drive or patio etc, but my dh borrows it and does her decking with it, great for that I'm told.

Treen, Karcher are a good unit, and spares are readily available.
Go for a unit of min 1700 watt rating.
Mine was a re-manufactured or cat return off ebay, fantastic deal and has been fine for about 4 years now

Jack_Regan

Treen wrote: »

Could you tell me which power washer you have?
TIA
Treen

Avoid the latest karchers and go for this

http://m.homebase.co.uk/mt/www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=021534&un_jtt_v_unSetCookie=yes

cyclonebri1

Jack_Regan wrote: »

Avoid the latest karchers and go for this

http://m.homebase.co.uk/mt/www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=021534&un_jtt_v_unSetCookie=yes

Nothing wrong with Nilfisk I agree.

But what's the issue with Karcher, as I said mine is about 5 years old I guess, have they gone downhill for some reason?

Jack_Regan

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Nothing wrong with Nilfisk I agree.

But what's the issue with Karcher, as I said mine is about 5 years old I guess, have they gone downhill for some reason?

I've had two first was great, the latest one I had wasn't much better than a hosepipe when I replaced it. It wouldn't turn the patio washer and the dirtblaster was no better than the normal lance.

cyclonebri1

Jack_Regan wrote: »

I've had two first was great, the latest one I had wasn't much better than a hosepipe when I replaced it. It wouldn't turn the patio washer and the dirtblaster was no better than the normal lance.

The turbo lance supplied with mine is fantastic, it rip out any chipped concrete.
But we all have different experiences with the kit we buy, the reason I asked was that there are an awful lot of "re-manufactured units" from traders on Ebay