How to clean red lava stone that has been in the yard for ten years having accumulated dirt, leaves, twigs, mud, etc.?
2006-09-15 15:54:58 · 5 answers · asked by Light 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Don't they look great for the first year or so they are in place? Too bad they soon look terrible. Because they are so porous and rough surfaced, they are all but impossible to keep "clean". Once leaves and other large debris has been removed, you might want to try a pressure washer on a very low setting, but I doubt it will work very well.
Best advice is probably to top dress the rock every couple of years with a new layer of rock. Most people I know who have had stone or rock put down as a decorative item in a temperate climate have come to regret the decision for the reason you have identified.
Good luck with your problem.
2006-09-19 11:14:18 · answer #1 · answered by exbuilder 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
I did commercial lawn maintenance for 24 years, and I'd like to round up all the landscape architects that thought lava rock was funny.
Pick up as much as you can as far as big sticks go. Blow leaves at an angle from as far away as possible. This will keep the rocks in place. Rake lightly, then blow again. Sorry, but this is a real pain.
After many years, the best is to remove as much rock as possible and recover with some decent landscape rock.
2006-09-15 23:01:58 · answer #2 · answered by Papa John 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hot sudsy water. If that doesn't work there's a mild acid used by bricklayers call "sure clean". I'll guarentee it will clean them up.
2006-09-15 23:03:59 · answer #3 · answered by da_hammerhead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wash it off with a hose. Anything left on it, just let it stay there. It will accumulate more, anyway.
2006-09-15 23:01:04 · answer #4 · answered by chilixa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
honestly?
blow torch
make sure anything flammable is out of the way
2006-09-15 23:00:41 · answer #5 · answered by buddhaboy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋