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.

Will the black spot lichen come back after treatment?

It can return over time since spores are airborne and shade or damp conditions won't change, but a proper biocide treatment kills the existing growth at the root, which means it takes considerably longer to re-establish than after a pressure-only wash. Sealing afterwards slows it down further.

I'm not sure what my patio is made of - does that matter?

It matters quite a bit, since sandstone, limestone, porcelain, concrete and block paving all respond differently to pressure and chemicals. We identify the material as part of the initial assessment, so you don't need to know beforehand - just get in touch and we'll work it out on site.

Can I get a quote without you visiting first?

For a rough idea, yes - a few photos and the approximate size over the phone or by message can get you a ballpark figure. For a firm, fixed price we'd normally want to see the patio in person, particularly if there's significant black spot lichen or the material's uncertain.

Patio & Driveway Cleaning Specialists Serving Fatfield

Patio looking patchy or slippery in Fatfield? Proper biocide treatment plus expert cleaning gets black spot lichen gone for good, not just for a fortnight.

Patio Cleaning in Fatfield — the finished patio after a full clean, on a NE38 property

Patio Cleaning in Fatfield — work in progress across the flagstones, on a NE38 property

Patio Cleaning in Fatfield — close detail on the cleaned stone, on a NE38 property

07501060609 Get a free quote

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.

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.

We use a softwash biocide treatment first, low-pressure or steam cleaning second, and only bring higher pressure in where the surface can genuinely take it - never as the default. That order matters: pressure without treatment just scatters lichen spores across the rest of the patio.

Nearest Towns We Work In

Fatfield sits close to Harraton, Columbia and Lambton, all areas we cover as part of our normal working week rather than as an exception.

That proximity means scheduling is usually flexible, and we can often offer a nearby time slot if your preferred date is booked up.

Fatfield, Tyne and Wear — 12 neighbouring areas plotted within 5.2 miles. Distances are straight-line from Fatfield centre.

Matching the Method to the Material

Indian sandstone and limestone are porous and can be relatively soft, so they get treated with a biocide, left to work, then cleaned with steam or low-pressure washing to protect the surface and the pointing around each flag.

Porcelain is dense and far more resistant, so it can generally take a firmer clean, though we still watch the joints. Concrete flags and block paving sit in between - solid enough for a proper wash, but we check for spalling or loose bedding sand before going in, and clean joints separately where block paving has gone green between the blocks.

Tree-Lined and Shaded Gardens

Gardens in Fatfield 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.

Homeowners

Part of a Wider Garden Makeover

If a patio clean is one piece of a bigger garden project - new planting, a re-laid lawn, or a fresh fence - we're happy to fit around the rest of the work and time the clean so it's not undone by other trades traipsing across it afterwards.

We can also advise on sealing at this stage if the patio's being cleaned as part of a wider tidy-up, since it's the easiest point to protect a freshly cleaned surface before everything else gets finished.

Patio Cleaning near Fatfield

Harraton0.7 mi west
Columbia1 mi north
Lambton1.1 mi north-west
Rickleton1.2 mi west
Washington1.3 mi north
Penshaw1.4 mi east
Kibblesworth4.4 mi west
Low Fell4.6 mi north-west

Proof of the Work, Not Just Our Word

Honest advice: If sealing or re-pointing isn't needed, we'll tell you rather than upsell it.
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.
Biocide trained (2024): Properly trained in the treatments needed to actually shift black spot lichen for good.

Patio Cleaning in Fatfield — common questions

Assessment, biocide treatment, dwell time, clean, and a final check - that's the process behind every patio we work on in Fatfield, adjusted to whatever material you've got underfoot.

Call 07501 060609 to talk through your patio and get a straightforward quote.

Book Before the Weather Turns

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.

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