Black Spot Lichen Treatment & Patio Cleaning, Concord
Patio cleaning across Concord: biocide treatment for black spot lichen, gentle cleaning for sandstone and limestone, plus sealing advice. Fully insured team.
City of Sunderland · NE37 · 1 miles north of our Washington base
It's not just about how it looks on the day either. Treating lichen properly rather than just pressure washing it means the result actually lasts, and a sensible sealing conversation afterwards protects the finish through the next few wet seasons.
For patios around Concord that means sandstone and limestone get treated gently enough to protect the pointing, while block paving and concrete flags that can handle more get a proper deep clean including the joints, not just the flag faces.
Proper treatment means killing the lichen and algae first with a biocide, letting it work, then cleaning the dead growth away. It takes longer than a straight pressure wash but it's the only approach that actually lasts.
The Wider Area We Cover
Beyond Concord itself, our regular coverage extends out to Hebburn, Chester-le-Street, Walker and Boldon and similar towns a little further afield, all within a reasonable drive of our Washington base.
If you're coordinating patio cleaning across more than one property in this wider area - family homes, rental properties, or a small portfolio - we're happy to quote for several visits together.
Pressure Washing vs Our Treat-First Approach
A standard pressure wash blasts dirt and growth off the top of the stone using force alone. It's fast, and it looks dramatic, but on lichen-affected sandstone or limestone it can drive spores into the pores of the stone and damage soft pointing at the same time.
Our approach treats the biological growth chemically first, so it's actually dead before any pressure touches the surface. We then use the lowest pressure that gets the job done - often steam or a soft wash - which is gentler on the stone and the joints, and the clean lasts considerably longer as a result.
Porcelain Paving
- Porcelain is dense, low-porosity and generally the most resilient of the common patio materials, so it can usually take a firmer clean without surface damage. Black spot lichen tends to sit more on top of porcelain than embedded within it, which makes treatment slightly more straightforward.
- The joints between porcelain slabs are still worth checking, though - growth often establishes in the pointing before it shows on the tile faces.
Steps for a Heavily Overgrown Patio
- 1
Clear loose debris
Moss, leaves and loose organic matter are cleared by hand first so treatment can reach the stone directly.
- 2
Strength-matched biocide application
On badly affected patios we use a stronger treatment mix, adjusted to the material so sandstone and limestone aren't over-treated.
- 3
Extended dwell time
Heavier growth needs longer for the biocide to work through fully - we don't rush this stage.
- 4
First pass clean
An initial wash lifts the bulk of the dead growth, often revealing the true condition of the stone and joints underneath.
- 5
Joint and edge detail work
Gaps between flags or block paving are cleaned individually where growth has been established for years.
- 6
Second rinse and inspection
A final rinse and a full inspection confirms nothing's been missed and flags any re-pointing that's now worth doing.
Add-On Services and Sealing
Sealing, re-sanding of block paving joints and re-pointing advice are usually priced separately from the base clean, since they depend on the condition we find once the surface is clean and dry.
| Sealing (per m², after cleaning) | typically £6-£12 per m² |
|---|---|
| Block paving joint re-sanding | typically £3-£6 per m² |
| Decking clean add-on | from around £4-£7 per m² |
| Fencing clean add-on | from around £3-£5 per linear metre |
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.
Tree-Lined and Shaded Gardens
Gardens in Concord with mature trees or dense boundary hedging keep patios shaded for much of the day, which slows drying after rain and creates the damp, low-light conditions black spot lichen and moss thrive in. Falling leaves and sap can also stain the surface between cleans.
These patios often need the joints cleared as much as the flags themselves, since moss and algae take hold in the gaps first and spread outward from there.
Patio Cleaning in Concord — common questions
A patio in Concord 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.
A pressure-only clean might cost less upfront, but if the lichen's back within a couple of months you've paid for a result that didn't last. Treating properly first means the clean actually holds, which works out better value over a couple of years.
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.
Book Before the Weather Turns
Send a couple of photos and we'll give you an honest read on whether it's lichen, algae or something else, and a rough idea of cost - no obligation.
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