Best Way To Clean Brick Patio – Maintaining our outdoor space has been a constant struggle for us since we purchased this home. There has never been a big “reveal” of our backyard because, really, we’ve never been able to finish it! Once one thing is done, another task appears. We’re hitting moles left, right, and center here… can anyone tell us anything?
Ever since I moved here, I’ve always dreamed of having a fun and cozy backyard for us to enjoy and maintain, and it’s frustrating to feel so crushed by something I’ve loved so much. But the surprising benefit of our challenging outdoor space is that it teaches me to let go a little and celebrate progress rather than perfection.
Best Way To Clean Brick Patio
One task that we have been able to check off the list (at least this year) is cleaning up our gray and gray sidewalks. These are actually quite special, old reclaimed Chicago bricks, and I fought for them when we chose our driveway and patio. Although these are “old bricks,” as my husband does not affectionately call them, they are more desirable and therefore more expensive than new pavers. My husband wanted regular pavers, but he had seen these bricks on Pinterest and NOTHING else worked. I ended up using them and convinced him that they were worth the extra money because they were so beautiful and he couldn’t live with any other option.
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The beautiful old texture of the brick seems to attract all the beautiful mold and mildew, so combined with our Florida humidity, they take a lot of work to keep up. And guess what? Since I have defended these stones, it is my pleasure to clean them!
Last year I borrowed a pressure washer from a friend and it certainly worked, but I wanted to find a cheaper, less heavy-duty option to buy for us. A few weeks ago I tried out a neighbor’s electric pressure washer and was so impressed I jumped off Amazon to buy this very similar one. I have really put it to the test over the last week and I have to say it has passed each and every one with flying colors.
If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you know I love a little pressure washing. (I saved some story highlights if you want to catch up!) There’s so much satisfaction in shooting a gun with minimal effort. But God, it’s so boring. Have you ever walked down the driveways and seen where people have quit their jobs halfway? I can fully understand why. It takes a lot of determination to pull it off and complete it after the initial novelty wears off.
Having done our driveway and patio twice now, I’ve learned a few techniques and tricks that will make the job a little easier. So for anyone feeling a little intimidated or intimidated by the task (as I did at first), I thought I’d share some tips to get you started, i.e. things I wish someone had told me before I did. found out the hard way.
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I can’t stress this enough. It’s not pretty trying to get sand out of your eyes. Sunglasses will do, but you can dress up and wear goggles, especially if it’s a cloudy day and you want to see what you’re doing.
It’s all thanks to my neighbor. He crouched down next to me just as he was starting to work and he yelled at me that he had to stand up straighter or he would hurt my back. What wisdom! Maintain good posture and you will feel much better the next day.
I used a non-bleach pressure washer concentrate and sprayed it over each section to loosen the dirt before tackling it with a higher pressure nozzle. It doesn’t take long to apply and will help remove stubborn mildew stains.
I found that the task was much easier once I got into a repetitive rhythm. I used an “S” pattern to clean each stone, going row by row in sections. It helps to focus and ignore everything (and everyone) around you. Get in the zone and you’ll be surprised how much more efficient you are.
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Put on your headphones and listen to the music of Ubpeat or tune in to a series of podcasts. Trust me, you’ll be able to kill a lot of time. It makes homework so much more fun and distracts you from how much there is to do!
I divided our work into three parts and tackled them on three different days to break it up a bit. After the pressure wash, my husband hosed down each part and added new sand to the joints to replace what I had loosened with the pressure wash. Teamwork makes the dream come true!
So, one task done and only 500 left! Just kidding… sort of. 2020 may be our year for the big backyard reveal! If you’re looking for a pressure washer, I highly recommend our Greenworks – it’s definitely a blast for something so compact and affordable. And let me know if I missed any tricks. I need them for next year! Well, what am I supposed to do with pressure washing in the meantime?
Isn’t it pressure washing season where you live? Pin this article if you need it!
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Welcome – I’m so glad you’re here! I am Jewish, originally from England, and now live in Jacksonville, FL with my husband and two daughters. Join us as we build our next home from scratch.
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This article was co-written by Mark Spelman. Mark Spelman is a general contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in interior construction, project management, and project estimating. He has been a construction professional since 1987.
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Cleaning your brick patio can be easy and hassle-free with a pressure washer. Rent or purchase the machine to spray your yard to remove dirt, mold, and other debris. To clean dirty bricks, use a dish soap solution and scrub well. Fight the toughest stains with a solution of trisodium phosphate.
This article was co-written by Mark Spelman. Mark Spelman is a general contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in interior construction, project management, and project estimating. He has been a construction professional since 1987. This article has been viewed 53,768 times.
He buys or rents a pressure washer to easily clean a brick patio. Wear old clothes that fully cover your arms and legs, as well as a pair of work gloves and grippy rain boots. Connect the pressure washer to a garden hose and turn it on. Test it in an inconspicuous spot on your patio to make sure the pressure isn’t high enough to damage the tiles. If the bricks are very dirty or moldy, put some pressurized water in the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Spray the terrace with the detergent-water mixture at low pressure and leave it to act for 5-10 minutes. Then use a fan nozzle to wash away the detergent and dirt, starting in the part of the patio closest to the building and working your way out. Repeat the cleaning process and rinse as many times as necessary until the patio looks clean, then let it air dry. If you notice a powdery residue after the deck has dried, use a scrub brush and soapy water to remove it. You can also remove stubborn dirt with a scrub brush and a mixture of warm water, dish soap, and a pinch of salt. If that doesn’t work, buy a trisodium phosphate cleaning solution at your local hardware store and rub the area with it, then rinse the area with clean water. Always wear rubber gloves when working with trisodium phosphate or other harsh chemical cleaners. Read on for more tips from our fellow contractor writer, like: They offer a place to enjoy the warm weather and sunbathe.
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