My patio's pointing looks like it's crumbling - can you still clean it?

We can, but we'll always tell you honestly if the pointing is too far gone to safely pressure wash, since force on failing joints can make things worse. In that case we'd recommend gentler cleaning and flag the re-pointing separately rather than risk the joints.

Can you clean a patio that's got moss growing between the joints?

Yes - joints are often where growth establishes first, especially on block paving and older concrete flags, and we treat and clean the gaps as a specific step rather than just the flag faces. Left untreated, joint moss tends to spread outward across the whole surface.

Do you offer decking and fencing cleaning too?

We do, as add-ons alongside patio work - decking gets algae and grime buildup in a similar way to stone, and fencing can green up in shaded, damp spots. It's often more efficient to have it all done in the same visit.

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.

Patio Cleaning & Black Spot Lichen Removal in Dinnington

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

Newcastle City Council · NE13 · 12.7 miles north-west of our Washington base

Pressure washing alone can blast the surface clean for a few weeks, but it leaves the spores in the pores of the stone ready to come back within a season. We treat first, then clean, so the lichen actually goes rather than just getting knocked back.

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.

Whether it's a small courtyard patio behind a terrace, a large sandstone patio on a newer estate, or a block-paved driveway-turned-patio, the cleaning approach in Dinnington starts with the same question - what's it actually made of, and how bad is the black spot lichen.

How We Clean Your Patio, Step by Step

We start with a walk round to check the material, the level of black spot lichen or algae, and anything unusual like loose pointing or an uneven flag. Then we apply a biocide treatment to any lichen, moss or algae and leave it to work - this is the step that actually kills the growth rather than just knocking it back.

Once the treatment has done its job we clean with steam or low-pressure washing depending on the surface, working the joints as well as the flag faces. Block paving usually gets re-sanding advice if the jointing sand has washed out, and we finish with a rinse and a check over before we leave.

Handling a Patio with Mixed Materials

1
Map the materials
Many gardens combine sandstone, block paving and concrete edging - we identify each zone before starting so methods can differ across the same patio.
2
Treat by zone
Biocide strength and dwell time are adjusted per material rather than applied uniformly across the whole area.
3
Clean by zone
Porous stone gets gentler steam or low-pressure cleaning; denser porcelain or concrete can take a firmer wash where needed.
4
Blend the finish
We finish with an overall rinse so the different zones read as one consistent, even-coloured patio rather than a patchwork.

Cost Per Square Metre

Prices vary with size, material and how established the black spot lichen or algae is, but most standard residential patios in Dinnington fall into the ranges below. These are guide figures - we'll always confirm a fixed price after seeing the patio.

Large patio (30-50m²)	typically £280-£450
Heavy lichen/algae surcharge	often an extra £20-£60
Restricted access or heavy growth	typically £20-£80 more
Combined patio + block paving driveway	often quoted as one job, ask for a combined price

Patio Cleaning near Dinnington

Exposed and High-Ground Properties

Properties on higher, more exposed ground around Dinnington catch more wind-driven rain, which keeps stone surfaces wetter for longer even without direct shade. That constant dampness is enough on its own to encourage green algae and black spot lichen without any tree cover involved.

Wind exposure also means more airborne debris and grit settling into joints and pores, so a clean here often needs a bit more attention to the pointing and gaps between flags, not just the flat surface.

Patio Cleaning in Dinnington — common questions

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.

A patio in Dinnington 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.

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.

Do It Once, Do It Properly

Call Trevor on 07501 060609 for a straightforward patio cleaning quote in Dinnington.

Get a Fair Price Call 07501060609

Patio Cleaning in Dinnington — work in progress across the flagstones, in the Newcastle City Council area