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Slippery footpaths

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  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I help a friend to spray his sandstone paving slabs around his house once a year with Path Magic. They are dangerously slippery with a bit of moss on them. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - that's the yaktrax @Lizzie27 - micro spikes are what they sound like - spikes rather than coils   :)
    They [yaktrax] are more suited for your, and my friend's, needs. Sorry if I confused you a bit!  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks @pansyface and @Fairygirl, just been notified that they've been dispatched and should arrive by Saturday - hope the frost/ice/snow keeps away till then.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Plenty frost/ice here if you want to test them   ;)

    I hope you find them useful though. Better to have them them than not.
    I was thinking about them this morning when I was out, and if you have a walking pole or similar, that might be useful as well - just for a bit of extra stability if you're wary   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Many thanks to all of you for taking the time to reply, it is very much appreciated
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2022
    Hello @markie6657, assuming your footpaths are stone or flags, I'd try a light pressure washing first to remove the bulk of the moss and algae.  Once you've removed this, wait for a dry day, above freezing, when no rain is forecast for the next six hours and use an algal/moss treatment. 

    I have been using Patio Magic on my sandstone paving and block paving at least twice a year to prevent moss and algal disclouration. (I know there are other more environmentally friendly products available!)  It also works on fence panels, pebbles and other hard materials.

    Read the label and follow the instructions carefully.  You'll see an improvement after two or three days (don't get impatient!).  It continues to work for several weeks until all is clear!  Buy yourself a 5 litre garden sprayer, it makes application much easier than using a watering can.  I've found it works best if you apply it in the afternoon and not on a sunny day.  Good luck!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    We pressure washed the front path and the bin area by the side door a few weeks ago. Didn't take long and those areas are now safe to a walk on again. Won't need to do them again until next winter.

    The remaining paths remain slippery but legitimate visitors won't be walking on them - & we don't need to use them before spring.

    One of the problems with leaving slippery paths around the house is if somebody like the postman or window cleaner bu$$ers over and does themself a mischief. Apart from actually liking our postman and window cleaner and not wanting them to get hurt, I don't know where we'd stand if they decided to try to sue us if they lost money through being off work etc
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    We bought Indian sandstone. One of my biggest mistakes ever, in gardening terms. It looked fantastic for five minutes, turned concrete gray and is like a skating rink most of the year unless I scrub the hell out of it.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2022
    Posy said:
    We bought Indian sandstone. One of my biggest mistakes ever, in gardening terms. It looked fantastic for five minutes, turned concrete gray and is like a skating rink most of the year unless I scrub the hell out of it.
    Try Patio Magic (no, I'm not an agent!) - no scrubbing, colour back to new!  You do have to give it a few days to work.  My neighbours all use it now.  
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Oh, thank you. I will give it a go!
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