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.

How much does patio cleaning cost?

It depends on size, material and how established any lichen or algae is, but most standard residential patios typically come in between £80 and £450. We'll always confirm a fixed price after seeing the patio rather than quoting blind over the phone.

What's the difference between softwash, steam and low-pressure cleaning?

Softwash uses chemical treatment with minimal mechanical force, steam uses heat to lift dirt and kill growth without high pressure, and low-pressure washing uses controlled water pressure below the level that risks damaging softer stone. We choose between them based on the material and how established the growth is.

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 in Leadgate

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

We treat, clean and can seal patios across Leadgate - sandstone, limestone, porcelain, concrete flags and block paving all covered, with a biocide treatment for black spot lichen and moss before any washing starts.

The idea that a pressure washer alone will sort a lichen-covered patio is one of the most common misunderstandings we come across in Leadgate. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Large patio (30-50m²)

typically £280-£450

Heavy lichen/algae surcharge

often an extra £20-£60

Porcelain or concrete, light growth

from around £4-£5 per m²

Straightforward access, light growth

typically at the lower end of our range

Covering Leadgate and the Surrounding Area

We work across a roughly 45-mile radius of our Washington base, which takes in Leadgate and the towns and villages around it as part of our regular schedule rather than a special trip.

That regular coverage means we can often fit patio work in Leadgate around other jobs nearby, which keeps things efficient and flexible on timing.

Patio Cleaning near Leadgate

Homeowners

New Homeowners Inheriting an Old Patio

Moving into a property with a patio you didn't lay yourself often means inheriting someone else's neglect - years of black spot lichen, unknown pointing condition, or a material you're not sure how to look after. We'll tell you honestly what it's made of and what it needs.

That includes flagging anything beyond cleaning, like joints that need re-pointing, before we start, so you're not surprised by an issue a wash uncovers rather than causes.

Exposed and High-Ground Properties

Properties on higher, more exposed ground around Leadgate 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 Leadgate — common questions

Treat first, clean second - that's how we get black spot lichen off patios in Leadgate 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.

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

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

Careful Around Your Garden, Not Just the Patio

Honest advice
If sealing or re-pointing isn't needed, we'll tell you rather than upsell it.
Biocide trained (2024)
Current training in the treatments we use for lichen, moss and algae.
Biocide trained (2024)
The treatments we use are applied at the right strength for the growth and the material.
Fully insured
Full insurance cover for every job, whatever the size.

Do It Once, Do It Properly

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.

Ask About Add-Ons Call 07501060609

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Patio Cleaning in Leadgate — work in progress across the flagstones, on a DH8 property

Patio Cleaning in Leadgate

Steps for a Heavily Overgrown Patio

Clear loose debris

Strength-matched biocide application

Extended dwell time

First pass clean

Joint and edge detail work

Second rinse and inspection