PATI-WOAH
I’m a patio pro with a 50p trick that removes stubborn stains in no time – and it works better than white vinegar
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A PATIO expert has revealed a simple 50p hack to give your garden slabs a scrub.
With the temperatures set to climb again next week and summer now just around the corner, many of us will be making plans to spend more time in the garden.
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And whether you intend on hosting friends for a garden party, or just want a cosy spot to relax in by yourself, you may have noticed that your garden patio needs a bit of a scrub after a winter of neglect.
You may think that the best tool to get your slabs sparkling is a pressure washer, but these can be incredibly expensive and can even damage the stone if you spray too hard.
When cleaning your patio, the first thing you should do is pull up any weeds poking through the cracks.
If your weed problem is quite extreme, then use some weed killer to tackle the issue.
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Gregory Smith, property expert at PriceYourJob.co.uk, revealed that all you need to do to scrub your slabs is make a mixture of washing up liquid and water.
Washing-up liquid only costs 50p from the supermarket, meaning that this hack is super cheap.
Make sure you check the soap that you are using, as some products can damage paving stones.
“Mix the soapy solution together until you start to see a foam form on the top", the expert said.
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Pour the mixture on to your patio, and using a sponge, scrub the entire surface, until the entire area has been scrubbed.
One finished, rinse the soap away using a bucket or hose.
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After this, Gregory said: "You’ll then need to brush the area.
"Get a hard-bristled brush and start brushing the patio from one side to the other.
“It’s best if you use a brush with a long handle to avoid damaging your back in the process. When brushing, you’ll notice the bristles loosen dirt with ease.
“You may have to brush harder on stubborn areas. Brush your patio regularly to keep dirt and weeds away.”
Once the dirt has been loosened, rinse the area again, and marvel at the results.
Leave the patio to dry, and voila, it will be the envy of any guests who come to visit.
How to repair broken patio slabs
THE paving specialists at Simply Paving told Fabulous how you can repair broken patio slabs, without the faff.
The experts advised: “If you have a loose paving slab, then it’s unlikely it can be lifted straight by hand. Instead, you will probably need a hammer and chisel to prise the paver free of your patio.
“To remove loose paving slabs without damaging your flagstones, carefully chip away at the mortar around the paving slab with the plugging chisel and rubber mallet until the slab comes completely loose.
“Then, slide the spade into the gap left by the mortar and prise the paver free of the patio.
"As you lift it up, place a short piece of timber underneath the spade to act as a lever, making it easier for you while protecting the slab underneath.
“When the paver starts to give, place the cylindrical wood underneath it and roll the slab out of the patio.”
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