Professional block paving cleaned - killed grass?

QTPie

Hi

I have just had my block paving professionally cleaned (specialist company). This includes the front path which had grass either side. The process seems to have included applying some very strong chemical (bleach based? Smelt like bleach), leaving it on the path, then pressure washing off. The grass either side of the path now looks scorched (yellow White) for about 6/12" It was very healthy before (gets regular lawn treatments etc). I have given it a thorough watering today (hoping that will help).

Will try to attach a photo to the thread. Does it look dead? Any advice re treatment? Should this have happened (is it unavoidable when you have your block paving professionally cleaned)?

Thanks
QT

QTPie

I will say that I am very happy with the company's work, but was surprised at the unhealthy looking grass.

Booooo

Sounds like it was hydrochloric acid, that stinks of bleach. We use it to kill weeds on the paving and to clean it. We however have a drain before the lawn so we don't have a problem with it killing grass. It will kill grass and any other small plants it lands on. We spray very carefully on very still days

QTPie

Thank you. I am pretty sure that the spray stayed on the path - that the contact must be run off or "splash off" (pressure washer). Unavoidable? Should they have rinsed better (to dilute the run off better)?

Anything to do to recover or will I be left with dead strips (i.e. do I need to reseed?)?

Lorian

It will eventually come back. Keep watering it. Add some fork holes to allow the water to go a little deeper.

Did the blocks get sealed after the cleaning?

QTPie

Thank you, will do.

They are going to be re-sanded (i.e. sand put into the joints) and tweaked tomorrow. They are doing a good job.

Booooo

The grass will come back as Lorian says. If it's dry where you are, keep watering

Lorian

QTPie wrote: »

Thank you, will do.

They are going to be re-sanded (i.e. sand put into the joints) and tweaked tomorrow. They are doing a good job.

Ah but a spray or brush on sealant is also important - it will stop them taking on dirt for a much longer time than if not sealed.

moneyistooshorttomention

Probably hydrochloric acid solution.

I got persuaded to have the outside of my house in this area pressure washed prior to repainting it.

I won't ever be doing so again - as I'd not realised about that (ie there are lots of "concrete gardens" round here - rather than proper gardens as I'm used to). As mine is working its way round from being a "concrete garden" to being a "proper garden" and I'm growing food organically = I decided my house will never be pressure-washed again. It's much higher priority to me to have a normal garden.

I landed up ripping up lots of my organically-grown vegetables and throwing them away.:mad::(:mad: