How To Clean Hardscape | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House mason Mark McCullough shows host Kevin O’Connor how to remove organic stains from hardscape like bluestone and limestone blocks and pavers.
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Mark McCullough teaches host Kevin O'Connor how to clean stains from stone surfaces like limestone and bluestone. After explaining some of the older methods, Mark shows Kevin the procedure for lifting stains from these stones with muriatic acid to bring them back to life.
Stone is one of the toughest landscaping materials, but the fall and winter can be hard on it. Leaves that deteriorate on porous stone surfaces can leave stains, and mildew can grow in damp areas. The good news is those stains don’t have to be permanent, and mason Mark McCullough shows host Kevin O’Connor just what to do about them.
Difficulty: ⅕
Cost: Around $50
Time: One day
How To Clean Hardscape
1. For smaller stones and bricks that can be removed from the landscape, prepare two tubs: one with water and the other with the stone cleaning solution, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Pre-wet the stone. Place the stone in the water tub and dip the brush in water to wet and scrub the stone. For hardscape materials that are large or stuck in place, use a garden hose to wet the entire surface of the stone. This will prevent the cleaning solution from damaging the stone while it lifts the stains.
3. Apply the cleaning solution to the stone. For smaller stones, place them in the other tub and apply the solution to the surface with the stiff bristled brush. For large stones, dip the brush into the washing tub and apply the solution directly to the stone. Allow the solution to react with the stains for a minute so it can lift them from the stone’s surface. Then, use a clean brush and fresh water to wash the cleaning solution away. Heavy-scrubbing is not necessary.
4. Repeat the process if the stains aren’t completely gone.
Where to find it?
Mark demonstrates techniques for cleaning up driveways and walkways after the winter. Although,
common household items like baking soda and vinegar can handle some hardscape stains, Mark
recommends using a generic masonry detergent [homedepot.sjv....], with very low levels of muriatic acid, and a utility scrub brush [amzn.to/3NOIcYr]. Follow the instructions listed on the container to properly dilute any masonry detergent.
There are also masonry cleaners available made to target specific issues such as rust and efflorescence.
Mark says to saturate the entire area with a water hose [amzn.to/3VpgoLH] before applying your cleaning product of choice. This will prevent burning once the cleaning product is applied. Using a utility scrub brush gently scrub, focusing on the heavily soiled stains. Rinse and repeat until desired results are achieved.
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Materials:
Water
Stone cleaner [homedepot.sjv....]
Washing tubs [amzn.to/41lc7up]
Tools:
Stiff bristle brushes [amzn.to/3NOIcYr]
Chemically-resistant gloves [amzn.to/426FEZL]
Garden hose [amzn.to/3VpgoLH]
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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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How To Clean Hardscape | Ask This Old House
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[@jomangeee9180]

I've been watching this show for about 20 years, seeing hosts age makes me reflect about myself, a lot!!

[@richboy249]

Awesome book that gives you step-by-step photos kzbin.infoUgkxTNB_zFBSnTo_O1PqfVUwgi7ityw0JlKt and directions to make every day project. I can see myself making a few of these projects and giving them as housewarming and holiday gifts!

[@Guardducks]

Mark was an excellent addition to the team. Thanks Mark. 👍🏼

[@jakemanwhonneedscookies]

*Mahk

[@noracharles80]

I love the algae on the stone, as well as moss. Not on anything I might slip on.

[@oldfart83]

Wish he had shown the clean up of the bricks that he showed the before picture of

[@rhiannonsullivan8735]

Personally, I'd stick with vinegar and baking soda for hardscape cleaning. The other stuff might be "user-friendly", but doesn't sound environmentally- or health-friendly.

[@c0mputer]

I would bet it’s the exact same except mixed with the right proportions. So might be a lot cheaper to do it with the vinegar and baking soda. They’d probably say “a proprietary blend of special cleaning chemicals” which probably means “same stuff you can buy at the grocery store but more expensive”

[@Vin3Man]

Play it at half speed and its like two drunk hippies

[@laurenk4161]

😂😂😂

[@seang2012]

If we ever colonize Mars we should totally send in the Old House crew in first. These people seem to know everything!

[@c0mputer]

2:20 played at half speed is two stoners high as a kite doing a science experiment.

[@g.e.boroush5176]

Personally, I'd rather see the lesson, outside, on real hardscape in the yard, using vinegar and/or baking soda. I hate ending up with big empty plastic jugs that go to recycling but don't, in actuality, get recycled. I give this video a C. Let's do better.

[@priceandpride]

How do we clean the brick?

[@jetg2059]

It would have been nice if you did it outside on a patio on a large scale what about the grout between the stone

[@debb8152]

What are the products? Who makes them?

[@celestineevans6660]

You go great results. 🎉 Do you think that your products work on a wall mounted Water Fall that is dry, rusty looking with black streaks from winter rain ?

[@javiergalvan2604]

Another great video! 👍 ☝️😁

[@davedalane6505]

Would l put white vinegar and baking soda in a spray bottle?what would the ratio be?

[@myfathersdaughter6983]

You put the baking soda down first. Then pour or spray the vinegar on it. You'll see it bubble the dirt off

[@MrFrankcoughlin]

TOH policy of not making recommendations about products and tools is outdated and frustrating. You actually tape over the brand of the limestone cleaner. Strange. You are experts not gods, and if you make a recommendation about a particular product, so don’t worry too much about the “impact” your recommendations may have on your viewers. People are adults and can balance your recommendations against recommendations about other products and against their own experiences. Plus, Mark is probably the best things that’s happened to this show-a true pro. DIYers like me would love to hear specific brand recommendations from someone like him. Further, the fact that you turn the bottles away from the cameras is irritating. The way you handle brand issues is also inconsistent and weird-festool and carhart are ok but other tools and brands need to be covered.

[@brucebenson9651]

Can I add this to a power washer? What a about grass or other vegetation around the pavers? Is it harmful to pets? Questions I would have liked Kevin (producers) to ask.

[@Techmatt167Official]

Pressure washer will take care of it. And it’s free

[@Dirtyharry70585]

Agree a circular attachment works the best. I hold about 4” above the surface, add some water pressure to spin up, then lower while moving and full beans once contact ALWAYS moving the head to prevent swirls on wood decks. Maybe 5 times faster than just spray tip.

[@rd-ch1on]

​@@Dirtyharry70585 I always operate my pressure washer at 95% beans just to be safe

[@ProfessorOfLogic81]

Where are they handing out free pressure washers?

[@donc-m4900]

​@@ProfessorOfLogic81 You mean you didn't get yours yet?

[@ryanroberts1104]

@@ProfessorOfLogic81 My thoughts exactly. And fuel too?!

[@ryanroberts1104]

Don't you just love how they only vaguely talk about whatever product they are using, and don't say a word about where to get it, what you should get, or how much it cost.

[@rd-ch1on]

Everything is in the description...lol

[@ryanroberts1104]

@@rd-ch1on KZbin is for watching videos, not reading BS. And there are no descriptions for TV where this originally was aired.

[@Zephirot080]

​@@ryanroberts1104 OK boomer

[@ryanroberts1104]

@@Zephirot080 Only old people say that now.

[@Zephirot080]

@@ryanroberts1104 well, I'm old, so there's that sorted

[@markhabeck6614]

A block wall with moss on it what to use to get rid of and be plant safe?

[@sofiep7861]

pressure wash with water.

[@daftnord4957]

Sodium hypochlorite to kill moss. Pressure will remove it but SH kills it

[@shanew7361]

And what about the plants and paint on your siding, etc. lol

[@doomslayerforever2858]

Totally rekt

[@rd-ch1on]

Spray everything with water first and after you're done. They should have explained that

[@donc-m4900]

You take apart your walkway and bring it upstairs to wash it piece by piece. Plants are saved.

[@ryanroberts1104]

LOL! Typical TOH, gloss right over the hard part. It's like when an outlet magically appears in a weird place because they have to plug something in.

[@marshall409]

Does Kev seem off here to anyone else?

[@Techmatt167Official]

It’s just a Monday

[@Lou_Mansfield]

Yeah. Not as chipper as the other times.

[@brian-nz3jg]

Not that "hard"to do 🤣🤣🤣

[@jayhogan1166]

Tom Silva and others on the show are top notch craftsman. Kevin.... not so much.... must be the producers son, worthless