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Seasonal Guide
Spring
Gardening Companion
Discover what to do in your garden every month with expert guidance and the right RYOBI® tools and tips for the seasons.
Patio, Decking and Driveway
What to do in Spring
When the sunshine finally arrives, the first thing you'll want to do is get outside and enjoy your garden, so make sure you're ready for it. Spring is a great time to give your patio, decking and driveway a refresh. Waste none of the sunshine; complete your outside care ahead of time so that your house is primed and ready for BBQs and games in the garden. Here are some tips for preparing your outside areas for warmer months, including driveway weed removal and pressure-washing patio slabs, from the garden tool experts at RYOBI.
Your garden goes through a lot each winter, namely freezing temperatures and lashings of rain. You'll also see the effects of lack of use, which include overgrown plants and weeds, as well as moss-covered surfaces. It's best to address this as soon as you can after that winter strain has passed, so when the weather eases and the sunshine starts peeking through the clouds, it's a good cue to get to work. Spring is also prime planting season, so it's a good opportunity to tick off everything on your to-do list outside, helping get everything ready for when the blooms start to come through.
The right equipment can be the difference between mediocre and show-stopping. These garden cleaning tools are handy to have in your shed to get your patio ready for spring:
OK, so you've got your tools at the ready; now let's get into our patio cleaning tips.
Before you can get started on a deep clean, it's important to make sure you have a clutter-free workspace. Move any pots, furniture or ornaments from the patio so you don't miss any areas. Take this opportunity to decide if these objects still serve a purpose in your garden. Maybe you've got toys that your grandchildren have outgrown or a plant pot that was damaged in a storm over the winter. Consider throwing out or donating unwanted pieces.
The rainy, moist conditions during the colder months create an ideal environment for weeds to thrive. Getting rid of them is a crucial first step in preparing your patio for spring. Start by applying a weed killer with a sprayer about three days before your cleaning to target the weeds at their roots. Once that’s done, use a patio cleaner to extract the weeds from the joints. For soft stone surfaces like limestone or sandstone, use a nylon brush to gently scrub away the weeds without damaging the stone. For tougher surfaces like concrete or brick, a wire wheel brush works best, as it can handle the harder material without causing damage.
The winter months and the process of removing the weeds are bound to create dirt and dust, so use a patio cleaner to remove the debris. This will remove the surface-level dirt so you can address the heavier build-up.
Cordless power washers are best suited for light maintenance tasks, such as removing surface build-up or small patches of mildew. They offer convenience and mobility, but they don’t deliver the pressure needed for heavy-duty cleaning. When using one, fit a 15-degree nozzle and start with a small test patch to confirm it’s effective on your surface. Work methodically from left to right, cleaning in sections, and avoid lingering in one spot to prevent damage to the patio. Corded pressure washers, by contrast, provide significantly more power and are the better choice for blasting away deeply embedded dirt or heavily soiled areas. Start with a cordless at first, if it isn't working effectively, the patio will need further attention with a corded pressure washer.
Not every garden has a patio; wooden decking is a practical and attractive alternative. When it comes to considering how to clean an outdoor deck, a gentler approach must be used, given that wood is softer. Here's how to clean and remove algae from your decking: 1. Remove any pots or ornaments. 2. Apply a weedkiller if necessary. 3. Sweep away dust and debris. 4. Evenly distribute an algae- and moss-removal solution or create your own at home with a gallon of water and one cup of white vinegar. Leave it to soak for 15 minutes. 5. Use a power washer on the lowest setting to rinse off the solution and any remaining algae or dirt. Allow plenty of space between the nozzle and the decking, and use it at an angle to avoid eroding the wood itself. Alternatively, you could use a patio brush with a specific wood cleaning attachment. 6. Allow your decking to fully dry and then treat it with an oil to protect it against the weather and future mould.
Your drive is the front of your home, the first impression for visitors, so it's important to keep it looking tidy. Driveways can also take a hit over the winter with the weather, vehicle wear and tear, and weed growth. Here are some tips to keep your driveway looking tip-top:
1. Inspect for damage or cracks. It's good to identify these before you start cleaning so that you can take care when working around them. 2. Kill any weeds using a weedkiller solution and a chemical sprayers.Then use a wire brush or gloves to extract the weeds. Driveway weed removal is a small task that can have a big impact, helping your drive to look fresh and well-kept. 3. Sweep away debris such as leftover weed leaves, dust or dirt. 4. Deep-clean your drive with a power washer and a gentle detergent. Adjust the pressure depending on your driveway material, as we'll discuss shortly. 5. Repair the damage. Use crack filler or premixed tarmac, depending on your drive material, to fill any potholes or cracks. 6. Apply a sealant to protect your drive from water penetration, oil spills and UV damage. We recommend doing this every two or three years – and spring is a perfect time thanks to its warmer and drier weather.
As you'll have gathered, your refresh method may differ slightly depending on what kind of driveway you have. Let's look at some common driveway materials and the best way to approach tidying them.
When performing maintenance on a concrete driveway, there are a few things to note. Firstly, avoid using a wire brush as this can scratch the concrete – instead, use a normal garden brush. Be mindful of petrol and other oil substances as they can stain the concrete and make your drive look unkept. Lastly, change where you park often to spread the weight of your vehicles to avoid damage or wear in specific places.
This driveway material is low-cost and practical, but caring for it requires particular attention. Always buy extra bags of gravel to replenish as needed, without worrying about being caught needing more only to find that your stones are sold out or have been discontinued. Use a rake to distribute your stones for an even and flat look. A gentle detergent should also be used for cleaning to remove stains. Remember to use a hose or low pressure on your power washer to avoid scattering the stones.
Driveway weed removal can be tricky when it comes to gravel, which is why a weed membrane should always be laid before adding the stones on top. Use a specialist gravel weedkiller, which stays active for months to tackle pre-emergent weeds.
The patterns created by block paving on a driveway look impressive – to keep them that way, follow the general advice above with a few key considerations. You can use a patio cleaning brush with warm soapy water toclean block paving, butdriveway weed removal goes beyond appearance; if left too long, weeds can begin to lift or affect the bricks. Be sure to stay on top of removal with weedkiller and a chemical sprayer.
Replenishing in between each brick with joint sand is important, too, as it helps the bricks stay in place and keeps the overall structure secure.
How will I know if I need to resurface my concrete driveway?
There are a few tell-tale signs that a spring driveway refresh just won't cut it, such as:
If these signs are sounding a little too familiar, it's probably time to resurface your concrete driveway.
Can I clean my patio with bleach?
Yes, you can. Bleach is a helpful cleaning tool if marks or stains aren't budging. You must dilute the bleach with water, though, and take precautions like wearing protective clothing and moving any plants. Don't use bleach to tackle mildew or mould, however, as it isn't effective at doing so and is dangerous to mix with mould-cleaning solutions. Combining the chlorine in mould solutions with bleach creates a toxic gas that is very harmful.
How do I remove oil stains from the driveway?
Apply an absorbent material such as cat litter or sawdust on the affected area and allow it to sit for 24 hours. Then mix a solution of equal parts vinegar to baking soda to make a paste. Apply the paste to the area and work it in with a soft brush, then rinse off with warm, clean water.
With these expert-approved decking, driveway and patio cleaning tips, you're ready to tackle your outside space this spring. Create a stunning and tidy finish with RYOBI cordless garden cleaning tools.