Pressure Washer - Patio Cleaners

chris.tarry85 · 24 Jan 2014 at 08:07

Hi All,

I have quite a large expanse of patio and driveway which could do with a clean this spring.

I already have a pressure washer, but doing this with the normal nozzle is likely to take days!

Has anyone got any experience of using the patio cleaning attachments that you can buy? They seem to clean a much larger area with each sweep so could save a bucket load of time?

Are they are good as using a nozzle, or does the increase in speed come at the expense of the quality of clean?

Thanks,
Chris

boxman2000 · 24 Jan 2014 at 08:25

Yes, your friend is Jeyes fluid (the neat stuff, not ready to spray stuff). Apply it with a watering can, leave for 20 minutes or so and then scrub with a stiff-bristle brush and it is FAR quicker than pressure washing. Pretty potent stuff so I'd suggest using some rubber gloves when working with it as it stinks although you get used to it on your hands after a couple of days!

You can get it at any diy/garden type place. Good for drains and de-mossing patio areas as well.

I did my patio last year, took me 5 minutes to apply the fluid, 10 minutes scrubbing and hosing area down afterwards.

Nightglow · 24 Jan 2014 at 08:43

I have a Nilfisk Patio Cleaner PLUS attachment, & found it no quicker than a normal nozzle, might be me, I found the shaft too short for me, made the old back ache, didn't have a lance extension, also I'm looking to see if I can mount it on some small wheels, making it easier to use.
Still does nearly the same width strip, but it's suppose to be x5 quicker, but it certainly got the grime off.

http://www.cleanstore.co.uk/product...sionshopping&gclid=CJz6joq0lrwCFUj4wgoddU4A1Q

The one I bought was graded, other than packaging being filthy & damage, item was unused.

http://www.cleanstore.co.uk/product...sionshopping&gclid=CPKn8dm1lrwCFdShtAodUlsAJw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaYRW65K2E8

DXP55 · 24 Jan 2014 at 09:56

I have been looking at same thing lately and Jeyes fluid was one option and bleach was another - 50-50 mix with water and it did say the cheap runny bleach is fine - same process as Nightglow described - I have 4 x 1ltr bottles ready for a fine spell - 99p bottle from Lidl.

I have a Nilfisk pessure washer but 6 yr old one and patio cleaner packed up - spun OK but stuck under pressure - Think I have fixed it - the brass nozzle in head was worn so put a fiber washer on it and it's took up play but it will be a temp repair I think.

I did borrow mate over roads washer - a AA one and cheap but patio cleaner was magic and slightly bigger than Nilfisk one.

Dave

Nightglow · 24 Jan 2014 at 10:21

DXP55: You can buy new brass nozzles.

Got them from here I think, they only list the complete arms now, could always contact Nilfisk direct.

http://www.cleanstore.co.uk/product...Washer-Accessories&sub=Nilfisk-Patio-Cleaners

Insomniak · 24 Jan 2014 at 10:51

I've got a large area of concrete slabs that I clean every year with my Karcher Pressure washer. I used to use the Dirtblaster lance but it took a long time using this and I always missed bits. Last year I got a T300 T Racer and its great. Its quick and really easy to use and you get a much better finish. It also prevents water from spraying everywhere.

boxman2000 · 24 Jan 2014 at 10:53

Having done both ways, Jeyes is by far and away the least hassle and most effective, plus it doesn't damage nearby plaster etc that pressure washers can.

chris.tarry85 · 24 Jan 2014 at 12:30

Thanks guys.

Have some John Lewis vouchers to get shot of and am currently trying to get them to price match a Karcher offer in Tesco - sounds worth doing if they agree to this.

Chris

pitchfork · 24 Jan 2014 at 14:05

Another for jeyes, that fluid is excellent stuff, my grandfather gave me a multitude of uses for it.

tsinc80697 · 13 Apr 2017 at 13:50

Resurrecting this thread as I have just had a quote back to clean our driveway and garden and nearly fell off my seat. It is a very large area but it's the best part of a grand what they want!

I have an old Nilfisk pressure washer, C110 I think it is, would that do the job with a patio cleaner attachment or is it just better to go buy a Karcher K4 with the T350 patio cleaner?

Don't think I can use Jeyes as we have a sewage treatment plant and I don't think the bacteria would like that being drained through.

DXP55 · 13 Apr 2017 at 15:56

tsinc80697 said:
Resurrecting this thread as I have just had a quote back to clean our driveway and garden and nearly fell off my seat. It is a very large area but it's the best part of a grand what they want!

I have an old Nilfisk pressure washer, C110 I think it is, would that do the job with a patio cleaner attachment or is it just better to go buy a Karcher K4 with the T350 patio cleaner?

Don't think I can use Jeyes as we have a sewage treatment plant and I don't think the bacteria would like that being drained through.

As said earlier do same as I did a week ago and use a cup of bleach to bucket of warm water - slosh on - brush it in till it is just bubbles - leave to dry then hose off tomorrow - I did start with pressure washer and gave up after 8 slabs and a wasted hour. My slabs are sparkly clean.

Psycho Sonny · 13 Apr 2017 at 16:28

Karcher are crap nifilsk use aluminium pumps, karcher use plastic.

get down to your local aldi and get 4 bottles of bleach and dilute it with a bit of boiling water and slop it everywhere you can.

use a brush or mop to irritate it into the surface. then pressure wash off the next day.

tsinc80697 · 13 Apr 2017 at 17:40

DXP55 said:
As said earlier do same as I did a week ago and use a cup of bleach to bucket of warm water - slosh on - brush it in till it is just bubbles - leave to dry then hose off tomorrow - I did start with pressure washer and gave up after 8 slabs and a wasted hour. My slabs are sparkly clean.

Psycho Sonny said:
Karcher are crap nifilsk use aluminium pumps, karcher use plastic.

get down to your local aldi and get 4 bottles of bleach and dilute it with a bit of boiling water and slop it everywhere you can.

use a brush or mop to irritate it into the surface. then pressure wash off the next day.

Can't use bleach

Has to be bacteria friendly so bleach and anything anti-bacterial is out of the question.

1pudding1 · 13 Apr 2017 at 18:15

Sure you're rainwater goes into the processing tank, not a soakaway? Usually just house water/waste that does into the tanks?

branddaly · 13 Apr 2017 at 21:46

Psycho Sonny said:
Karcher are crap nifilsk use aluminium pumps, karcher use plastic.

k4 upwards have aluminium pumps.

Will Gill · 14 Apr 2017 at 09:01

branddaly said:
k4 upwards have aluminium pumps.

Was about to say my K5 made a point about its inside bits and pieces being metal

tsinc80697 · 14 Apr 2017 at 11:49

1pudding1 said:
Sure you're rainwater goes into the processing tank, not a soakaway? Usually just house water/waste that does into the tanks?

You made me check the building plans and it looks like you're correct

Which Jeyes fluid are people using then as there's "Patio Power" or "Outdoor Cleaner" which seems to be a disinfectant?

DXP55 · 15 Apr 2017 at 16:47

Bleach is cheaper - I did down side of house and brushed it till it was foam and bubbles - let it dry and next day swept it all over - Haven't hosed it yet so if I was you I shouldn't worry - if in doubt do a test area just to convince yourself.

tsinc80697 · 15 Apr 2017 at 20:48

Tried the outdoor cleaner and it did naff all. Tried it neat, diluted slightly and heavily diluted.

Went and bought a Karcher with T450 patio cleaner and did a quick 30 second test…worked instantly. So that's Mondays job!

darael · 15 Apr 2017 at 22:43

tsinc80697 said:
Tried the outdoor cleaner and it did naff all. Tried it neat, diluted slightly and heavily diluted.

Went and bought a Karcher with T450 patio cleaner and did a quick 30 second test…worked instantly. So that's Mondays job!

I'm guessing you either didn't scrub, or scrubbed lightly. I think the primary purpose of the outdoor cleaner is to sanitise the area and to help get rid of any smells.