UK households are being urged to use a 99p supermarket item on patios and driveways to prevent irreversible damage during the cold weather.
Consistent rainfall throughout the winter can cause weeds and moss to grow in between the stones, causing disruption to the stone and leaving them uneven and slippery.
Spraying the plants that sprout between paving slabs with weed killer will only fix the situation for a short time, but the process will repeat from season to season.
If you don’t properly protect your patio or driveway you’ll end up having to spend more time and money getting rid of them, with paving experts warning a new driveway alone can cost between £1,000 and £9,000.
But one simple supermarket ingredient can help save you thousands of pounds in paving replacements and it’ll cost you as little as 99p.
Simon Wardle, paving expert and owner of Armstrong Cheshire patio supplies, says households should use dish soap mixed with boiling water to help kill weeds, moss and mould in winter.
The soapy solution simply needs to be poured onto your patio or driveway and left to sit for a short amount of time. The soap and water will loosen and kill the greenery which will make it easier to scrub off using a hard bristled outdoor brush.
Once you’ve given your patio or driveway a good scrub you should make sure to keep up with regular cleaning throughout winter and sweep up any fallen leaves. Cleaning paving slabs can protect the sealant and it will make them less slippery, thereby preventing the risk of any further moss growth.
If weeds are left between the slabs it can cause them to rot and they’ll become slippery, so maintaining the sealant is key to fend off any moss or mould which can cause damage which is hard to undo.
Mr Wardle says: “Keeping on top of the maintenance of your paving is key to preventing any irreversible damage creeping in with the colder weather.
“By using one simple supermarket ingredient, you could save you £1000s in unnecessary paving replacements and even prevent any accidents from mossy paving slabs.
“Maintaining the sealant on your paving slabs is essential to prevent any moss or mould from entering them and causing damage that cannot be undone. This should typically be done every three years but depending on the weather it may need to be more frequently for protection.”