Why Is My Patio Sticky? How to Clean It Properly?


Why Is My Patio Sticky

Exposure to external elements is unavoidable for patios. We have received a lot of questions regarding this problem, such as ‘Why is my patio sticky?”

Today, we will explain the causes of sticky patios and give you some solutions. Let’s follow our guide to learn some pro tips! 

Why Is My Patio Sticky? 

Your patio door is most likely to get sticky, failing to slide. Another case is that nearby trees produce sap and sticky everything in the area. 

We will discuss each case in detail. Once we know the causes, we can find solutions easier. 

Sticky patio door 

Your sliding door may get stuck because it’s full of debris like dust, bugs, dirt, pet hair, or crumbs. Otherwise, the rollers may have degraded. 

In any case, you must remove the door to better understand what’s going on. Here is what you should do. 

  • Step 1: Remove the door

Seek assistance from a friend to remove the slider from the tracks. You two need to find the adjustment screw covers near the bottom of the door sides.

Pull the covers off or loosen them, and then use a screwdriver to lift the rollers. 

Have your friend on the other side. Then, gradually raise the top of the sliding door toward you as you stay inside with the door in the center of the opening.

The door should now almost easily slide off its tracks. Lift the top rollers if there is not enough clearance.

  • Step 2: Scrub the door’s tracks

Vacuum the door tracks carefully with the door uninstalled and carefully set to its side out of the way.

After vacuuming, clean the tracks with warm, soapy water. For this task, you can use a stiff brush, like a wire brush or toothbrush. Don’t forget to clean the bottom and top of the door carefully. 

If you still see a lot of material that has come loose during this procedure, think about vacuuming the door again. 

Spend time thoroughly checking any weather stripping for frayed or broken spots. Unsecured weather stripping may be the source of some minor friction.

  • Step 3: Lubricate the tracks

Applying a thin layer of lubrication to the bottom and top of the door track is what you need to do in this step. 

We suggest applying some lubricant to the door frame where it latches for extra safety. To prevent a slippery floor, mop up any excess liquid.

The lubrication method varies depending on the material of the tracks.

For example, on vinyl tracks, lubricate them with non-stick silicone. Meanwhile, choose harder wax, like candle wax, instead of spray lubrication if you have wooden tracks.

There are particular door track lubricants that you may get at a hardware shop. Avoid using lubricants that contain oil since they tend to draw more dust than others.

  • Step 4: Reinstall the door

Examine the hardware and rollers of the door. You can take off the rollers and send them to the hardware shop to get new rollers if they look broken, shaky, or too dirty.

Simply ask your friend to assist you in reinstalling the door, then use the screwdriver to readjust the rollers once again.

Pay close attention to this step. The door will be difficult to open if you use too much tension. And if there is insufficient pressure, your door may sway uncontrollably in its tracks.

Move your door back and forth several times to check your work, and apply the lubricant evenly throughout the tracks.

Sticky sap from nearby trees 

Nearby trees leak sap, annoying your deck and making it sticky. The sap will also attract aphids to come.  

If there are no clouds in the sky and you feel a small drizzle on your shoulders while relaxing on the patio, it could be a sap shower from an overhanging branch.

If not treated, the sap may soak through even sealed hardwood decks. Once it hardens, you will see ugly stains.

Cleaning the afflicted area of the deck with diluted oil soap is the instant fix for the mess. After giving the material ten minutes to absorb the soap, scrape the sap away with a brush. 

Besides, other sticky things that may adhere to your patio can be food left from your BBQ parties. However, they are easy to clean.

How To Clean A Sticky Patio? 

Sticky patios are irritating as they will ruin your mood. Fortunately, you can try tips to clean them, giving back the refreshing appearance they should have. 

You can use soapy water or a pressure washer for the task. While the first method is simpler and safer, the latter brings a faster effect. 

Soapy water

Unlike popular opinion, you can clean your patio without a power washer or expensive products.

The best patio cleaning solution is really just a simple washing-up solution diluted with warm water. 

With washing-up liquid

This cleaning method may be the most common because it involves simple tools and straightforward steps. Please follow this guide to accomplish your task: 

  • Pour some washing detergent and warm water into a bucket. It would help if you had plenty of soapy bubbles to play with.
  • You may now start tidying the mess. Splash water on the area, then picks up a brush to scrub, starting at the edges. As you proceed, the debris and dirt should loosen and wash away. 
  • Remember to brush diagonally. This method gives a gentler treatment to the jointing compounds. 
  • Continue splashing and cleaning until you have completely covered the patio. If you are scrubbing a large deck, you’ll probably need to return inside several times to fill off your cleaning fluid.
  • Clear the area with clean water to push the dirty water into a drainage point. 
  • At this point, don’t forget to inspect the joints. You’ll need to add an extra jointing compound to patch in the spaces if you see that part of it wiped away during your washing.
  • Set your patio furniture to complete the appearance after allowing it to dry.

With vinegar

Vinegar is a popular cleaner as it’s easily accessible and environmentally friendly. 

You can use it to eliminate the sticky stains on your patio. The instructions are as follows: 

  • Mix water and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio in a bucket. If your patio is too sticky and has stubborn stains, you can add more vinegar to the solution. 
  • Pour the mixture over your patio, then wait 30 to 60 minutes for the vinegar to soak into the slabs.
  • Once the specified time has passed, the debris must come loose. You need to pour clean water over the surface to wipe the loose debris. 
  • Use a stiff brush to scrub the area, and clear it with water once more. 
  • Wait for your patio to dry.

Pressure washer

A pressure washer is an ideal partner if you’re looking for a quick way to clean your sticky patio.

This intensive cleaning technique uses strong blasts of cold water to loosen stubborn debris, but it might also harm your pavers if you’re not cautious.

Before trying this method, consider the other two cleaning techniques listed above. Please note that if you aim the jet stream too tightly, you risk releasing the aggregate of your paving slabs and destroying the top layer.

If you still choose this method, make sure you have everything on the checklist: 

  • Pressure washer
  • Pressure washer detergent
  • Garden hose
  • Washing-up liquid

Now, follow these steps to pressure clean your sticky patio: 

  • Start by plugging your pressure washer and connecting it to the garden hose. 
  • Mix the pressure washer solution and pour it into your chamber if your unit has one. 
  • Alternately, dilute the solution as directed on the package before applying it straight to the patio. Without detergent, a basic cleaning solution and warm water should work.
  • Holding the pressure washer at a 30-degree angle, spray your patio diagonally going from the top corner. Avoid standing too close to the surface because the strong jet might hurt you. 
  • Make sure to empty any remaining water. Also, look for indications of a loose jointing material in the joints.

Conclusion

Your patio may get sticky because of the debris, dust, or sap from nearby trees. 

If the sliding patio door has this problem, try checking, lubricating, or even replacing it. If the whole area is sticky, clean it with the two methods we have discussed.

Hopefully, you will find this article helpful. For any further information, please feel free to ask. Thank you for reading!

James Lopez

James Lopez is a lifestyle journalist. In addition to working as a journalist, he also takes courses in landscape design. He is pretty focused on the outdoor space, especially the backyard.

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