When is it too late to work outdoors

[blueagle78]

I'm busy cleaning my paving blocks driveway these days. I've 2 young kids (almost 4 and 2 years old) and they don't let me work while they're awake so I'm doing this once they go to bed which is around 8pm. Last night at 9:30 one of the neighbours came and complained about the noise of my Karcher K4 pressure washer. He's an old man so I just apologised and stopped work. I explained to him I couldn't start earlier due to kids. His house has his back garden towards my house so its not as if its joint to my house. His comments were "its like living next to a factory". I think my pressure washer (only 2 weeks old) is fairly quiet so those comments were a bit over the top.
I would like to know when do you guys think I should stop working without disturbing/offending any of my neighbours. Thanks

 

[TheVictorian]

Cleaning your paving isn't exactly construction nor is it long term so I'd just crack on and get it done to be honest.

 

[skhudy]

IMO if its a one off type thing it's not really any of his business to complain the 1st evening you do this.

Incidently, cleaning block paving with a power washer, depending on how it's been done, you can blast out the kiln dry sand which is between the blocking, which can cause problems down the line. (Unless you mean crazy paving with cement in the joints)

Also if that's not an issue, I'd recommend investing in a patio cleaning end for the karcher (t50 / t200) it's a revelation, 10x better and quicker than using the normal jet washer fitting

 

[EddieM]

Is there a particular reason why you can't do it with the kids around? Although that said, sounds like your neighbour is a grumpy owd s*d. Do you live next door to me??

 

[blueagle78]

Thanks for your replies gents.
"The Victorian" he's an oldman and I didn't want to upset him.
"skhudy" I am using Karcher "T400" patio cleaner. Blocks are so discoloured you can't tell which one's black and which one's red and lots of moss and debris in between the blocks so taking it all out.
I'm planning to get couple of fine sand bags once cleaned and would use brush to spread the sand in between the blocks.

 

[blueagle78]

Is there a particular reason why you can't do it with the kids around? Although that said, sounds like your neighbour is a grumpy owd s*d. Do you live next door to me??

My 4 years old son thinks he can do it better than me.
Hahaha.........didn't know you were an old grumpy .......

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Is there a particular reason why you can't do it with the kids around? Although that said, sounds like your neighbour is a grumpy owd s*d. Do you live next door to me??

My 4 years old son thinks he can do it better than me.
Hahaha.........didn't know you were an old grumpy .......

Haha, I feel your pain! though I find there is some stuff you can do with an inquisitive/mischievous 4 year old in tow and pressure washing is one of them.

 

[JBR]

I'm busy cleaning my paving blocks driveway these days. I've 2 young kids (almost 4 and 2 years old) and they don't let me work while they're awake...

I'd go round to his house with my kids in tow, apologise sincerely for the noise, explain things fully...

...and ask him if he wouldn't mind looking after them for the afternoon whilst you do the job!

(And plenty of flannel about how well behaved they are, of course!)

 

[alan333]

I disagree with the flow here and say that 9.30 pm is too late for continuous noise pollution. Early to mid evening is when it should stop ie around when you're starting.

 

[AronSearle]

I often go to bed at 10 if I am getting up early, so 9.30 is a bit edgy.

8-9 would be perfectly reasonable, and if he still complains about that I'd spray him with it.

 

[Doug99]

Give the Environmental Dept of your local council a call to determine what time is considered 'unsociable hrs'. They will no doubt advise you to come to an arrangement with your neighbour, but should the neighbour raise a formal complaint to the council, you will have at least asked the question of them already.

 

[cajar]

if my neighbour was doing that at 2130 it would annoy me, as I think it's too late. It's not how quiet the motor is, you still have the water hitting the paving stones.

I assume you're a single parent? maybe bring them outside and let them play in a penned off area, or give them a brush to play with while you work.

 

[longdogs]

The old s*d probably gets up at four in the morning to get his daily paper so do it then

If there were young children living next door then I could understand the complaint but I think he's just being a moaner. My neighbour sometimes does DIY late evening, which is annoying but because it is only occasionally, I wouldn't complain about it. Anyway, he takes our parcels in when we are at work

If he complains again, connect your hose to his incontinence pants and watch him baloooooooooooon!

 

[Norcon]

Thanks for your replies gents.
"The Victorian" he's an oldman and I didn't want to upset him.
"skhudy" I am using Karcher "T400" patio cleaner. Blocks are so discoloured you can't tell which one's black and which one's red and lots of moss and debris in between the blocks so taking it all out.
I'm planning to get couple of fine sand bags once cleaned and would use brush to spread the sand in between the blocks.

As has been said you can damage the surface with a power washer.
Then the following year even more grime will collect.

The best method is by using Sodium Hypochlorite. (use Google)
Mostly used to cleanse dairy equipment after milking. Some hardware outlets stock this fluid.
Your local farmers co-op will definitely stock it if you know how to find one of those. (laff out loud)

A heavy shower of rain is all you need after application of this stuff.
Preferably after a few days.

A light power hosing will bring it up like new. Garden tap would probably do the job also.

So no need to annoy your neighbour.

Btw..Scope of Application...

• Bleaching agent for textile fibers and paper
• Chemical reagent
• Surfactant
• Disinfectant (e.g. swimming pool disinfection, drinking and process water disinfection)
• Oxidizing agent (selective oxidation of starch)
• Wastewater treatment
• Production of cleaning and disinfecting agents

Does exactly what it doesn't say on the tin.

 

[gigz]

Old people make me laugh (even tho i'm nearly one myself) they want to make their minds up. They're either deaf or not