Calculator
Example data table
| Scenario | Area | Coverage | Coats | Mix | Working solution | Concentrate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patio, textured | 18.00 m2 | 12.00 m2/L | 1 | 1:10 | 1.86 L | 0.17 L |
| Walkway, porous | 25.00 m2 | 10.00 m2/L | 2 | 1:8 | 7.02 L | 0.78 L |
| Gazebo tiles, smooth | 12.00 m2 | 14.00 m2/L | 1 | Ready | 0.93 L | 0.93 L |
Formula used
The calculator converts all areas to square meters and then applies practical field factors.
- Base area = (Length x Width x Sections) or Total area
- Adjusted area = Base area x Coats x (1 + Waste%) x Surface factor x Grout factor x Method factor
- Working solution (L) = Adjusted area (m2) / Coverage rate (m2/L)
- Concentrate (L) = Working solution x (Conc parts / (Conc + Water parts))
- Water (L) = Working solution - Concentrate
- Bottles = ceil(Concentrate mL / Bottle size mL)
How to use this calculator
- Select your unit system and area input mode.
- Enter the patio or path size, then set coats and waste.
- Pick surface, grout, and application method to match conditions.
- Choose concentrate or ready-to-use, then set mix ratio if needed.
- Click Calculate to view results above the form.
- Use CSV or PDF buttons to share purchasing and work plans.
Surface measurement for outdoor tiles
Accurate area is the base for any cleaner estimate. Measure length and width for rectangles, then multiply by repeated sections. For curves, split the patio into smaller rectangles or use a total area value from a sketch. Include steps, borders, and around planters if you will clean them. Converting everything to one unit prevents costly ordering mistakes. If tiles slope toward beds, note rinse direction and plan containment. For multi-level areas, treat each level as its own section to keep results clear.
Coverage rate and working solution
Coverage is usually stated as square meters per liter of prepared solution. Outdoor grime, sealers, and tile texture change real performance. Enter a conservative rate if the surface is older, stained, or exposed to irrigation overspray. The calculator converts the adjusted area into a working solution volume, so you can fill sprayers or buckets consistently for each pass.
Dilution, coats, and waste allowance
Many products are concentrates mixed with water. A 1:10 ratio means one part concentrate plus ten parts water, creating eleven total parts of working solution. The tool splits the required volume into concentrate and water, then adds coats and waste. Waste covers sprayer priming, edge losses, and uneven absorption at grout lines.
Field factors for texture, grout, and method
Textured or porous tiles hold more liquid, while heavy grout soil increases scrubbing time and solution use. Application method also matters: spray can improve distribution, while brush scrubbing typically consumes more. These factors translate experience into a repeatable multiplier. Adjusting them helps align planning numbers with real site conditions across seasons.
Purchasing, bottles, and recordkeeping
After concentrate volume is known, bottle count is calculated by dividing by bottle size and rounding up. Adding a price per bottle produces an estimated materials budget, useful for maintenance contracts. Exporting CSV supports inventory tracking, while PDF reports document assumptions for clients or facility logs. Recheck inputs when changing products or nozzle equipment. For ready-to-use products, the working solution equals product needed, simplifying mixing but raising cost. Keep files with dates and notes, because shade and humidity affect dwell time and application.
FAQs
How do I choose a coverage rate?
Use the label value for prepared solution, then reduce it for textured, porous, or stained tiles. If unsure, start 10 to 20 percent lower to avoid running short.
What does waste allowance include?
It covers sprayer priming, overlap, edges, and leftover solution you cannot recover. Outdoor wind and uneven grout can increase waste, so raise the percentage on complex surfaces.
Do I enter tile area or garden bed area?
Enter only the tile surface you plan to clean. Exclude soil beds, grass, and plants unless you also intend to wash adjacent hardscape that receives cleaner.
How is concentrate volume calculated?
The tool multiplies adjusted area by coats and factors, divides by coverage, then splits the working solution by the concentrate and water parts you enter.
What if I use a ready-to-use cleaner?
Select ready-to-use. The calculator treats the entire working solution as product volume and sets mix water to zero, helping you estimate bottles and cost.
Can I use the exports for procurement?
Yes. CSV supports quantity checks and inventory updates. PDF is useful for sharing with clients, crews, or facility logs, showing inputs, factors, and final quantities.
Professional guidance
Always test cleaners on a small, hidden tile area first. Follow product labels for dwell time and rinsing. For gardens, protect nearby plants and soil, and collect runoff when required by local rules.