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.

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.

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.

What if you find a problem with the patio once you start cleaning?

We'll stop and talk to you before continuing. Things like loose flags, failing pointing or unstable edging sometimes only become obvious once dirt and growth are removed, and we'd rather flag it honestly and discuss options than plough on regardless.

Black Spot Lichen Treatment & Patio Cleaning, Hexham

Trusted patio cleaning in Hexham covering sandstone, limestone, porcelain, concrete flags and block paving. Honest advice on sealing and re-pointing too.

Why does a patio in Hexham go black in patches even when the rest of it looks fine? Nine times out of ten it's black spot lichen, not dirt, and it favours the shaded, damp corners of a garden - under trees, behind fences, on the north-facing side of the house.

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.

The idea that a pressure washer alone will sort a lichen-covered patio is one of the most common misunderstandings we come across in Hexham. Blasting black spot lichen off the surface just spreads live spores across the rest of the stone and into the joints - it looks clean for a few weeks, then comes back worse.

Getting to You

With good access via A69, reaching Hexham is straightforward for our van and equipment, which keeps travel time down and helps us stick to the time we've quoted for on the day.

If your property has restricted parking or a narrow approach, let us know when booking so we can plan equipment and hose runs accordingly.

Typical Patio Cleaning Costs

For larger or irregular areas it's often easier to think per square metre rather than a flat fee. Porous stone needing biocide treatment generally sits toward the higher end, while denser materials in good condition sit lower.

Sandstone or limestone, moderate growth

around £5-£7 per m²

Fencing clean add-on

from around £3-£5 per linear metre

Straightforward access, light growth

typically at the lower end of our range

The Wider Area We Cover

Beyond Hexham itself, our regular coverage extends out to Haydon Bridge and Prudhoe 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.

Patio Cleaning near Hexham

Block Paving

Block paving needs the joints treated as much as the block faces - jointing sand harbours moss and weed growth that spreads algae staining across the whole surface if left. We clean the gaps as a distinct step, not just an afterthought.
Where jointing sand has washed out or gone green and compacted, we can advise on re-sanding once cleaning is done, which helps stop the same growth coming straight back.

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 in Hexham — 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 Hexham 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.

Proof of the Work, Not Just Our Word

Fully insured
We carry full insurance for every job we take on, so you're covered throughout the visit.
Asbestos awareness trained
Useful on older properties where garden structures or outbuildings may contain legacy materials we need to work safely around.
Softwash, steam and low-pressure methods
We match the method to the material rather than using one setting for every patio.
Biocide trained (2024)
The treatments we use are applied at the right strength for the growth and the material.

Local to Hexham and the Surrounding Area

Biocide trained, asbestos awareness trained, spill management trained and fully insured - we look after you and your property on every job in Hexham.

Get a Free Quote Call 07501060609

Get Your Free Quote!

Enter your details below and one of our experts will be in touch to discuss the work needed and give you your free no-obligation quote.

Patio Cleaning in Hexham — work in progress across the flagstones, on a Northumberland local street