Lisa Breakspear, head of sales at UltraCare, Mapei explains how to maintain external surfaces over winter months
DURING the dark winter months, it’s easy to forget about external surfaces. But a neglected surface very quickly becomes more difficult to maintain, and slippery tiles can be a hazard. In our cool, wet climate, blackspot and algae can be a particular problem, in addition to staining from mud, leaves and rust. Adopting a regular maintenance regime needn’t be time consuming or costly; with the right solutions, it will eliminate the need for more extensive intervention in the future.
Natural stone and porous surfaces, as well as engineered pavers like concrete and porcelain, will all benefit from a deep clean. To tackle organic residue, you’ll need to use an alkaline cleaner and dilute the solution according to dirt build-up. On patios that have grout installed, the alkaline will also remove any contamination from the joint too and we recommend using a long-handled brush and a hose pipe. This method will be effective for even the heaviest levels of contamination, without the need to use a pressure washer which can often weaken or blow out the grout joints. The procedure is fast and straight forward:
First, wet the surface with water and apply the diluted alkaline cleaning product. Work the solution over the pavers and the grout joint, using the long-handled brush to agitate the solution and ensure complete coverage. Leave the cleaning solution in contact for a minimum of five minutes, in which time the organic contamination will start to break down. Repeat application might be required for heavily contaminated areas. Use the brush to work over the surface again and then rinse with clean water. A high- performance alkaline cleaner will also break down any grease or oil stains from BBQs, along with sticky tree sap.
Always avoid using products that contain Sodium Hypochlorite. It’s not safe to use where plants and metals are present and is not effective at breaking down grease and oil. It can also cause ‘yellowing’ when used on light coloured surfaces.
For stone, terracotta and porous surfaces, look to reapply a sealer/impregnator once all stains and contamination have been removed. Going forward, surfaces can be kept clean by washing with a pH-neutral cleaner as required. Ongoing treatment of specific issues, like spot cleaning of rust with a suitable stain remover, will keep surfaces looking and performing at their best.
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