After a long summer of braais and outdoor living, patios and paving are often grubby, stained and covered in leaves. Autumn is the perfect time to clean up, before winter rains turn dirt into slippery algae and leaves block gutters and drains.
1. Clear leaves and debris
Sweep patios, paths and driveways with a stiff outdoor broom. A wide hard platform broom covers big areas quickly and pushes wet leaves far better than a household broom. Bag leaves in strong refuse bags or compost them.
2. Gutters and downpipes
- Scoop out leaves and debris from gutters before the first heavy rain.
- Flush downpipes with a hose to check they drain freely.
- Check that stormwater drains on the property are clear.
3. Scrub the paving
- Wet the area.
- Apply a suitable outdoor cleaner diluted in a bucket.
- Scrub with a deck scrub, working in sections.
- Rinse well and sweep away the dirty water.
For green algae patches in shady spots, scrub firmly and rinse. These areas get slippery in winter, so check them regularly.
4. Outdoor furniture
Wash plastic and metal furniture with warm soapy water, rinse and dry before storing. Store cushions indoors in a dry place for winter.
5. The braai area
Clean the grid and braai properly before winter, empty old ash and cover the braai if it's outdoors. Ash holds moisture and causes rust.
For businesses
Restaurant terraces, shop entrances and parking areas need the same attention. Slippery paving at an entrance is a real safety risk once the rain starts.
Stock up
The Deck Scrub, Platform Broom (Hard) and Black Refuse Bags are available from maxproducts.co.za.
Products mentioned in this guide
Available now from our sister company Max Products at maxproducts.co.za, in trade sizes and delivered in Cape Town.
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Deck Scrub (Complete)
Platform Broom (Hard)
Black Refuse Bags 40 Micron
