Best time of year to clear algae from paths - ideas please?

mamashaz

We have a real problem with our relatively new slippery paths and deck due to algae growing. I have been reading through the various posts and I think I will use the stiff brush method rather than buying a power washer but am not clear which is the most effective time of year to do it.

I would welcome any ideas on which time of year you find to be most effective as I want to do it as little as possible but still keep it safe.

Many thanks

alanobrien

It depends on the amount of foot traffic it gets. I do our deck twice a year but a pathway to the front door that becomes slippery would need to be done a lot more often. Having broken a leg myself quite badly some years ago in my own back garden due to slippery tiles i would strongly advise more rather than less !

chickadee

I have quite a large flagged patio to the rear of my house. We bit the bullet in the Summer and bought a power washer. We cleaned the flags in about early September and they are now dark green and slippery again.

I therefore suppose I am saying September is not a great time and you will need to do them about 3-4 times a year for best effect.

I think it also depends on the aspect of your house. Our rear garden/patio faces SE and gets much greener than the front. Longer hours of sunshine perhaps?

If anyone has any better advice I'd love to hear it too.

boredofbeingathome

I agree i use a power washer as well. In the past though i used to clean it everytime i mopped the kitchen floor with water left in bucket and a stiff brush.

teapot2

alanobrien wrote: »

It depends on the amount of foot traffic it gets. I do our deck twice a year but a pathway to the front door that becomes slippery would need to be done a lot more often.

Do you use one of those power washers to clean your decking or is there some other method? We inherited decking when we bought the house. It was okj the first 2 years but this year has lots of green on it so I'm thinking I'd like to clean it - just not sure what to use?

Thanks Teapot

alanobrien

teapot2 wrote: »

Do you use one of those power washers to clean your decking or is there some other method? We inherited decking when we bought the house. It was okj the first 2 years but this year has lots of green on it so I'm thinking I'd like to clean it - just not sure what to use?

Thanks Teapot

I have done in the past but these days i tend to use a stiff brush with a solution of diluted bleach. Worst case two goes over it with that and the algea is gone. I usually then allow it to dry and then apply a sealer. That method works well for me.

Jolanta_Nowak

Has anyone tried a proprietary cleaner to tackle this problem? I'd be interested to know if anything shop bought actually works.

Zazen999

In the spirit of OS I only use a stiff brush and any cleaner that is hanging around the cupboard; flippin' dangerous when you don't keep it algae free. My OH doesn't do it properly so I have to get out there and keep it sorted.

Brooktop

The algae grows quickest in winter - especially in shady conditions. Buy a bag or two of soda crystals (55p from a supermarket). Sprinkle them over the area and leave for a couple of days. They need to be damp, so it's fine putting them down before it rains. If it doesn't - use a watering can. Within a couple of days, moss and algae will have turned brown. Simply scrape it away and then brush down - or powerwash it. I've found this preferable to just using a power washer as the area isn't slippy afterwards and it seems to keep the moss and algae at bay for a whole season.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Jolanta_Nowak wrote: »

Has anyone tried a proprietary cleaner to tackle this problem? I'd be interested to know if anything shop bought actually works.

I have used HG green slime remover from Lakeland,it's £4.99 for a bottle.You just put it on and leave it,then hose down and it just disappears.Trouble is although it was easy to use and worked,because you have to do it several times a year I find it's costly.Also don't know how safe it is for the enviroment.I think I might try the soda crystal method someone has just mentioned.

KernowRob_2

mamashaz wrote: »

We have a real problem with our relatively new slippery paths and deck due to algae growing. I have been reading through the various posts and I think I will use the stiff brush method rather than buying a power washer but am not clear which is the most effective time of year to do it.

I would welcome any ideas on which time of year you find to be most effective as I want to do it as little as possible but still keep it safe.

Many thanks

I have experienced the same problem on wooden decking, on driveway blocks & on concrete flagstones. I've been told that Hypochlorite (the solution that farmers use to clean up their milking dairies) works well & have just purchased a large tub from my local agricultural supplies shop. Apparently using a watering can to spread it & then washing/brushing/power-spraying will clear the problem. I'm planning to try this chemical-based solution when the weather improves - don't know if anyone else has tried this approach & can offer any tips?!