Will pressure washing alone get rid of black spot lichen?

Not for long. Pressure washing can knock the visible growth off the surface, but black spot lichen has a root structure that grips into porous stone like sandstone and limestone, so spores are usually left behind. We treat with a biocide first to actually kill it, then clean, which gives a result that lasts far longer than pressure alone.

Should I seal my patio after it's been cleaned?

Often, yes, though it depends on the material and condition. Sealing helps protect against future staining and slows new lichen and algae growth, but the patio needs to be fully clean and completely dry first - we'll only recommend it where the stone and pointing are in suitable condition.

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.

How often should a patio actually be cleaned?

It varies with material, shade and local conditions, but a treated and sealed patio can often go two to three years between cleans, while an untreated, shaded patio in a damp spot might need attention every year. We can suggest a realistic interval once we've seen yours.

Trusted Patio Cleaning in Heaton and the Surrounding Area

Get your patio in Heaton properly treated for black spot lichen and cleaned to an even finish. Free, honest quotes from Annual Cleaning Solutions today.

Newcastle City Council · NE6, NE7 · 6.3 miles north-west of our Washington base

Patio cleaning prices in Heaton 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.

Black spot lichen and green algae spread fast across Indian sandstone, limestone and concrete flags, and once it takes hold a garden hose won't shift it. The dark speckling that starts in the shady corner of a patio in Heaton creeps outward every wet spell, and by the time it reaches the seating area most of it is bonded into the stone rather than sitting on top.

Older concrete flags and reclaimed stone often have softer, more porous surfaces than modern porcelain, so what's safe pressure for one can etch or pit the other. We match the method to the material every time.

Also Serving the Areas Around Heaton

As well as Heaton itself, we regularly work in Byker, Ouseburn, Jesmond and Walker 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.

Trained to Treat, Not Just Wash

Fully insured
We carry full insurance for every job we take on, so you're covered throughout the visit.
Fully insured
Every visit is covered by full insurance for your peace of mind.
Clear, upfront pricing
You get a fixed quote before we start, not an estimate that grows on the day.
Run by Trevor, directly contactable
Speak to the person doing the work on 07501 060609, not a call centre.

Former Colliery Terrace Housing

In the ex-colliery terraces around Heaton, rear yards were often flagged rather than turfed, and many still have the original stone or early concrete underfoot. Coal dust staining from decades past can sit under more recent algae growth, so a clean sometimes reveals old ingrained marks that a wash alone won't lift.

Narrow yards and high boundary walls typical of this housing keep these areas shaded and slow to dry, which is exactly the environment black spot lichen prefers - it's a genuine repeat-treatment area rather than a once-and-done job.

What We Do (and What We Deliberately Don't)

We do treat black spot lichen and algae with a proper biocide before cleaning. We do adjust pressure and method to the actual material - sandstone and limestone get different handling to porcelain or concrete block paving. We do check pointing and flag stability before we start.

We don't run a pressure washer straight over lichen without treating it first. We don't use one blanket pressure setting for every surface. And we don't seal a patio that hasn't fully dried out or that has failing pointing that needs sorting first - we'll flag that honestly rather than seal over a problem.

Patio Cleaning near Heaton

How Far We Travel

We're based in Washington, and Heaton is around 6.3 miles north-west of us - well within the area we cover regularly, so there's no long-distance call-out premium to factor into your quote.

Being a regular working area rather than an occasional trip means we can usually offer more flexible scheduling here than somewhere at the edge of our patch.

Add-On Services and Sealing

Four things drive most of the variation in a quote: the total area, the material (porous stone generally needs more treatment time than porcelain), how established the lichen or algae is, and access - a patio reachable straight off a driveway costs less to work on than one down a narrow side passage with everything carried through by hand.

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
Combined patio + block paving driveway	often quoted as one job, ask for a combined price

Patio Cleaning in Heaton — 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.

Get in touch with Trevor on 07501 060609 for a straightforward quote.

Treat first, clean second - that's how we get black spot lichen off patios in Heaton for good rather than for a few weeks. Fully insured, biocide trained, and happy to advise on sealing and decking or fencing add-ons at the same visit.

Patio, Decking and Fencing in One Visit

From black spot lichen treatment to a full clean and sealing advice, we'll bring your patio in Heaton back to an even, presentable finish - properly treated, not just pressure washed. Fully insured and biocide trained.

Book Your Clean Call 07501060609

Patio Cleaning in Heaton — work in progress across the flagstones, on a NE6 property