Hardscaping

Clean sweep

With outdoor spaces for entertaining becoming a must have as a customer request, Jo Holtom from Kebur Garden Materials looks for solutions to freshen up and maintain hard landscapes

Whilst there are lower maintenance options such as porcelain, any hard surface is going to require some cleaning. For most people, their hardscape is a significant investment so it’s worth spending a little time to keep it looking good.

To avoid staining, prevention is better than cure. For common culprits like grease, leaves and berries - clean and clear as quickly as possible. If using any chemicals on or near a hard surface, check they’re safe and suitable. De-icing salt and fertiliser, for example can cause nasty damage, so do the homework and read the label.

Why use a sealant?

Sealing is a great way to protect surfaces like concrete and natural stone from weeds and stains, especially in high traffic areas. Choose a sealant that’s specifically formulated for the surface to be treated. Certain sealers will also enhance the appearance of stone and reduce fading over time. Kebur particularly likes Dry Treat Intensifia, which is a deep penetrating sealant that can make natural stone features like veins more visible.

Sealing natural stone can protect it from damage and enhance its appearance If re-sealing a surface, make sure to use the same sealer as originally used to prevent an adverse reaction that will spoil the finish.

Product knowledge

When using specialist cleaners and sealers, always read the label very carefully and wear appropriate PPE. It’s also a good idea to test on a small, hidden area first and be careful with acid-based cleaners. They can cause irreversible damage on limestone, for example.

Pressure washing

Mechanical washers can be great tools, but capable of destruction, especially when it comes to joints and more fragile surfaces like riven stone. Even on tough concrete and brick surfaces, a powerful pressure washer can damage the surface of the paving. To keep joints and surfaces intact, use jet washing sparingly and as a last resort for patios. If jet washing is a necessity, opt for the fan setting and avoid the joints.

How to clean paving

For all paving, the best option is to brush regularly to stop any loose dirt ingraining itself within the stone. Use a stiff brush with warm soapy water or an all-purpose non-acid based patio shampoo (always checking that it is suitable for your type of paving). Once the soap has been thoroughly brushed into the surface, rinse well with clean water until all soap, residue and dirt has been removed.

Certain types of paving and garden environments will need a little more attention. Porous paving like some sandstones (especially honed or smooth) in shadier areas will hold more moisture in, so need cleaning more often. Porcelain paving needs less cleaning as it is less porous.

Driveway blocks

Because concrete driveway blocks are porous, they tend to absorb oil and grease stains quickly. Clean regularly with warm soapy water and a stiff brush as with other paving. Treat stubborn oil stains using a specialist garden cleaner like Easy Grease and Oil Away.

Take care not to disturb the jointing sand when cleaning and top up with kiln dried sand if needed. Some sealants like Easy Seal BCS bind the sand between the driveway blocks, preventing damage from weeds and insects.

Porcelain is a low maintenance paving option but still needs cleaning (Credit: Sierra Grey porcelain courtesy of TAW Garden Landscapes)

Clay pavers

Regular brushing and soapy water should be enough to shift general dirt and grime. but avoid cleaning within the first three months of laying. As with most surfaces it’s also best to be cautious with jet washing. The high pressure can disrupt the paving bed surface and jointing material, which can cause pavers to crack or come loose. Oil doesn’t tend to easily penetrate clay pavers, but it is still a good idea to clean spills quickly.

Clean decking

Leaves and other debris, especially if there are overhanging trees, can cause stains on decking. Additionally, timber decking can become very slippery. Sweep and clean with a soft brush and warm soapy water. If jet washing, do so with caution and test a small area first. Timber decking will last longer if oiled or sealed to prevent the wood from drying and cracking. Sealants like Easy Deck Protect also help to improve grip when the timber is wet.

Resin bound

Resin bound is pretty stable and low maintenance if installed correctly. If a stiff brush and soapy water doesn't do the job, use a gentle jet wash. As it’s porous, additional tools may be needed to shift the moss. Nonacid based domestic cleaners or a standard moss killer should be suitable.

Treating stains

Occasionally more stubborn stains appear from organic material or chemicals which need some extra attention. Here are some good fixes…

Natural iron deposits

These can appear in certain natural stones like Kandla or Silver Grey Sandstone because of higher levels of iron. These browner areas will lighten over time but if a client can't wait, lighten them with treatments such as Hanafinn Eff-Erayza. This is a safer acidic cleaner for removing mineral residues including efflorescence, rust marks and limescale.

Grout stains

Grout stains can be a particular problem, especially on light-coloured and porous paving. They’re best avoided by washing thoroughly twice after grouting to make sure all residue is removed. Hannafin Eff-Erayza again may help as it's especially designed to remove embedded dirt and restore porous natural stones. Several applications may be required.

Organic stains

With any organic stains, a good treatment to try is Patio Black Spot Remover. Biodegradable and acid-free, it works quickly to break down black spot and other organic residue like berry stains. The team at Kebur find this tends to shift the toughest of stains on a range of hard surfaces, even on the rare occasions when treating porcelain.

Before and after using Patio Black Spot remover

• Kebur Garden Materials is an established supplier of hard landscaping materials to trade and retail customers. As well as stocking its own collection of natural stone and porcelain, the company offers installation and pre-sealing services.

Kerb appeal

The type of stone used can make or break a garden design. Colour, material and size affects the finished look and choosing the right materials is just as important as deciding on the plants and trees that surround the hardscape says Cranbourne Stone

Stone is such a versatile material that can be used whether constructing a simple patio or an elaborate swimming pool. Deciding on whether to use a natural stone or a man-made material such as porcelain depends on where and for what the stone is being used.

Natural stone

From sandstone and limestone to marble and granite, part of natural stone’s beauty lies in its stunning colour choices, tonal variations, and organic properties. Being such a versatile material, specialists can apply many different finishes to create various looks from a contemporary sawn finish with straight edges to a rustic tumbled finish with a naturally time-aged worn surface. Most sandstone and limestone is easy to install by simply laying on type 1 sand and cement. The stones can also be cut to produce specific designs like step treads or wall cappings to enhance the surroundings.

To make cleaning easier, seal natural stone with an external water-based sealer to keep its beauty and maintain its appearance for longer. Also, regularly clean the natural stone using a diluted chlorine solution (1 chlorine to 5 parts water). Simply pour over the area, brush in and leave for 10 minutes before hosing off. Avoid power washing as this can damage grouting.

Choosing porcelain

Porcelain is a popular landscaping material. Made from a mix of clay, sand and other natural materials, it is revered for its high resistance to abrasion, warping and weathering. It brings together the beauty of a realistic and high-definition nature-mimicking design, with the longevity and durability of a man-made tile.

Thanks to its slip-resistant properties, it works brilliantly for patios, terraces and swimming pool surrounds, and is also very easy to maintain.

Porcelain does not need to be sealed as it is not porous and so it should not stain. It is also resistant to moss and mould, which reduces how often it needs cleaning—giving you more time to simply enjoy it. Just give it a simple annual clean with a chlorine solution.

Incorporate it into a water feature by cladding a wall to add a pop of colour and texture, or design a beautiful sweeping garden staircase using bonded over-lips to create a thicker-looking tread that is both durable and elegant.

Landscaping beauty does not have to come from plants. Use stone to create structure, texture, colour and design. www.cranbournestone.co.uk

Above: Together with Aura Landscapes and KB Pools, Cranbourne Stone created this terrace using natural stone, Fossil Pearl Satin Contemporary Limestone.