How much does patio cleaning cost?

It depends on size, material and how established any lichen or algae is, but most standard residential patios typically come in between £80 and £450. We'll always confirm a fixed price after seeing the patio rather than quoting blind over the phone.

Can you clean Indian sandstone without damaging it?

Yes - sandstone is porous and can be relatively soft, so we treat black spot lichen and algae with a biocide first, then clean with steam or low-pressure washing rather than high pressure, which protects both the surface texture and the pointing between flags.

How long does a patio clean take?

A standard residential patio usually takes half a day to a full day, including biocide treatment, dwell time and the clean itself. Larger areas, heavier growth or mixed materials can take longer - we'll give you a realistic timeframe when we quote.

Do you clean block paving driveways as well as patios?

Yes, and it's a common combination since many driveways lead straight into a patio area. Block paving needs the joints cleaned as well as the block faces, and we can advise on re-sanding afterwards if the jointing sand has washed out or gone green.

Do you provide before-and-after photos of the work?

Yes, we can provide photo evidence of the patio before and after treatment and cleaning, which is particularly useful for landlords, letting agents, or anyone wanting a record for their own files.

Is there anything I need to do before you arrive?

Not much - clearing loose garden furniture, planters or toys from the patio surface helps us get started straight away, but otherwise we bring everything we need. Reasonable parking access near the property is helpful if space is tight.

Birtley Patio Cleaning: Sandstone, Limestone & Block Paving

Patio cleaning across Birtley: biocide treatment for black spot lichen, gentle cleaning for sandstone and limestone, plus sealing advice. Fully insured team.

Gateshead Council · DH3 · 2.3 miles south-west of our Washington base

Patio cleaning prices in Birtley typically run from around £4-£8 per square metre depending on material, condition and how much black spot lichen treatment is needed, with most standard-sized patios coming in as a fixed quote rather than an hourly rate.

The figure that actually matters is cost per year of clean patio, not the invoice total - a treated and sealed patio can stay looking good for two or three seasons, while a quick pressure-only wash can green up again within months.

Doing It Safely - for the Patio and the Garden

Biocide treatments and cleaning chemicals need careful handling around plants, ponds and lawns, and we're trained in spill management so run-off is controlled rather than left to find its own way into a border or drain. We protect nearby planting before we start.

On the stone itself, safety means not overdoing the pressure - too much force on old pointing or soft sandstone can loosen joints or pit the surface, creating problems that weren't there before. We check the condition of the patio first and clean to what it can actually handle.

Limestone

Limestone is calcium-based, so it can react badly to strongly acidic cleaning products - we're careful about what we use on it. It's also porous like sandstone, so black spot lichen treatment and adequate dwell time matter here too.
We keep pressure low on limestone and let the biocide do the work of lifting growth, rather than relying on force that can etch or dull the surface.

Clean-and-Seal Process, from Treatment to Protection

1
Assess suitability for sealing
We check the stone and pointing are in good enough condition to seal - sealing over failing joints just traps the problem.
2
Biocide treatment
Lichen, moss and algae are treated and left to work before any cleaning begins.
3
Deep clean
Steam or pressure cleaning removes dead growth and ingrained dirt, matched to the material.
4
Full dry-out period
The patio needs to dry out properly before sealing - we won't seal a damp surface as it traps moisture underneath.
5
Sealant application
A suitable sealer is applied evenly across the surface to protect against future staining and slow new growth.
6
Cure and handover
We explain the curing time before the patio can be walked on or have furniture put back, and leave care advice for the months ahead.

Also Serving the Areas Around Birtley

As well as Birtley itself, we regularly work in Rickleton, Harraton, Oxclose and Chester-le-Street and the immediate surrounding streets, so if you're arranging a clean for a relative or neighbour nearby, it's no extra trouble to quote for both.

Working a consistent local patch means we get to know the typical patio materials and conditions in the area, which helps us quote more accurately from the start.

Patio Cleaning near Birtley

Parking and Equipment on the Day

We bring everything needed in the van - pressure washers, steam equipment and biocide treatments - so there's usually no need for you to provide anything beyond reasonable parking access near the property.

If on-street parking is limited, a quick heads-up beforehand means we can plan around permit times or find suitable space rather than losing time on the day itself.

Proof of the Work, Not Just Our Word

Before-and-after evidence
We can provide photo evidence of the condition before and after treatment, useful for landlords, letting agents or your own records.
Fully insured
Full insurance cover on every job, residential or commercial.
Biocide trained (2024)
Current training in the treatments we use for lichen, moss and algae.
Clear, upfront pricing
You get a fixed quote before we start, not an estimate that grows on the day.

Homeowners

Family Gardens and Everyday Use

If your patio is where the kids play, the barbecue goes and Sunday mornings happen, black spot lichen and slippery algae aren't just an eyesore - they're a genuine trip hazard underfoot. We treat and clean with that in mind, getting the surface properly grippy again, not just visually cleaner.

We work around furniture, planters and washing lines rather than asking you to clear the whole garden, and we're happy to talk through sealing at the end of the visit if you want the result to last into next year.

Patio Cleaning in Birtley — common questions

If your patio's looking patchy, dark or slippery, it's very likely lichen or algae rather than anything more serious, and it's fixable. We treat it properly, clean it thoroughly, and tell you honestly if anything else - like re-pointing - needs attention.

From Victorian terraces to modern estates, we've cleaned patios across Birtley and the surrounding 45-mile area we cover from our Washington base, in sandstone, limestone, porcelain, concrete and block paving.

A patio in Birtley covered in black spot lichen or green algae doesn't need replacing - it needs treating properly before it's cleaned. We handle sandstone, limestone, porcelain, concrete flags and block paving, with honest advice on sealing and re-pointing where it's actually needed.

Fully Insured, Properly Trained, Straightforward

A biocide treatment followed by the right clean for your material costs a bit more upfront than a straight pressure wash, but it lasts years longer. We'll explain exactly what your patio needs and why.

Call Now Call 07501060609

Patio Cleaning in Birtley — work in progress across the flagstones, a few minutes from Rickleton

Birtley Patio Cleaning: Sandstone, Limestone & Block Paving

Doing It Safely - for the Patio and the Garden

Limestone

Clean-and-Seal Process, from Treatment to Protection

Assess suitability for sealing

Biocide treatment

Deep clean

Full dry-out period

Sealant application

Cure and handover