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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Patio Cleaning in Seaton Sluice — the finished patio after a full clean, on a NE26 property

Patio & Driveway Cleaning Specialists Serving Seaton Sluice

Fully insured patio cleaning in Seaton Sluice. Biocide trained, spill management trained, honest pricing. Decking and fencing add-ons available on request too.

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

Late winter and early spring is when patios in Seaton Sluice look their worst - months of damp weather have given algae and black spot lichen a head start, and the low sun shows up every dark patch. It's also the point where most people start thinking about the garden again.

Covering Seaton Sluice and the Surrounding Area

We work across a roughly 45-mile radius of our Washington base, which takes in Seaton Sluice 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 Seaton Sluice around other jobs nearby, which keeps things efficient and flexible on timing.

Patio Cleaning near Seaton Sluice

Local, Straightforward, and Easy to Reach

Biocide trained (2024)
Up-to-date training means black spot lichen and algae get treated at the root, not just blasted off the surface.
Softwash, steam and low-pressure methods
We match the method to the material rather than using one setting for every patio.
Clear, upfront pricing
You get a fixed quote before we start, not an estimate that grows on the day.
Spill management trained
We control run-off and chemical use so treatments stay where they're meant to, away from plants, ponds and drains.

Homeowners

Family Gardens and Everyday Use

If your patio is where the kids play, the barbecue goes and Sunday mornings happen, black spot lichen and slippery algae aren't just an eyesore - they're a genuine trip hazard underfoot. We treat and clean with that in mind, getting the surface properly grippy again, not just visually cleaner.

We work around furniture, planters and washing lines rather than asking you to clear the whole garden, and we're happy to talk through sealing at the end of the visit if you want the result to last into next year.

Coastal Exposure and Salt-Laden Air

Being roughly 0 miles from the coast, patios around Seaton Sluice pick up salt-laden air alongside the usual rain, which speeds up algae growth and can accelerate wear on softer stone like sandstone and some concrete finishes.

The combination of salt spray and damp sea air means these patios often need cleaning slightly more often than inland gardens, and sealing becomes more worthwhile as a way of protecting the surface between cleans.

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.

Medium patio (15-30m²)	typically £150-£280
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

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.

Clean-and-Seal Process, from Treatment to Protection

1
Assess suitability for sealing
We check the stone and pointing are in good enough condition to seal - sealing over failing joints just traps the problem.
2
Biocide treatment
Lichen, moss and algae are treated and left to work before any cleaning begins.
3
Deep clean
Steam or pressure cleaning removes dead growth and ingrained dirt, matched to the material.
4
Full dry-out period
The patio needs to dry out properly before sealing - we won't seal a damp surface as it traps moisture underneath.
5
Sealant application
A suitable sealer is applied evenly across the surface to protect against future staining and slow new growth.
6
Cure and handover
We explain the curing time before the patio can be walked on or have furniture put back, and leave care advice for the months ahead.

Patio Cleaning in Seaton Sluice — 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.

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.

We're upfront about pricing from the start, so there's no surprise cost for doing it right.

Book Before the Weather Turns

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

Get a Fair Price Call 07501060609

Patio Cleaning in Seaton Sluice — work in progress across the flagstones, a few minutes from Seaton Delaval

Patio & Driveway Cleaning Specialists Serving Seaton Sluice

Covering Seaton Sluice and the Surrounding Area

Patio Cleaning near Seaton Sluice

Local, Straightforward, and Easy to Reach

Biocide trained (2024)

Softwash, steam and low-pressure methods

Clear, upfront pricing

Spill management trained

Family Gardens and Everyday Use

Coastal Exposure and Salt-Laden Air

Typical Patio Cleaning Costs

Matching the Method to the Material

Clean-and-Seal Process, from Treatment to Protection

Assess suitability for sealing

Biocide treatment

Deep clean

Full dry-out period

Sealant application

Cure and handover