Patio & Driveway Cleaning Specialists Serving Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees patio cleaning specialists: treat, clean, seal. We handle sandstone, limestone, porcelain, concrete and block paving with lasting, even results.
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The idea that a pressure washer alone will sort a lichen-covered patio is one of the most common misunderstandings we come across in Stockton-on-Tees. 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.
For patios around Stockton-on-Tees that means sandstone and limestone get treated gently enough to protect the pointing, while block paving and concrete flags that can handle more get a proper deep clean including the joints, not just the flag faces.
Late winter and early spring is when patios in Stockton-on-Tees 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.
Parking and Equipment on the Day
We bring everything needed in the van - pressure washers, steam equipment and biocide treatments - so there's usually no need for you to provide anything beyond reasonable parking access near the property.
If on-street parking is limited, a quick heads-up beforehand means we can plan around permit times or find suitable space rather than losing time on the day itself.
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.
Indian Sandstone
- Indian sandstone is porous and slightly variable in hardness between batches, which means it can hold onto black spot lichen and algae stains more readily than denser stone. It responds well to biocide treatment followed by gentle steam or low-pressure cleaning rather than high pressure, which can strip the natural texture off the surface.
- Sealing is often worthwhile on sandstone once it's clean and dry, as it helps resist future staining and makes the next clean considerably easier.
Pressure Washing vs Our Treat-First Approach
A standard pressure wash blasts dirt and growth off the top of the stone using force alone. It's fast, and it looks dramatic, but on lichen-affected sandstone or limestone it can drive spores into the pores of the stone and damage soft pointing at the same time.
Our approach treats the biological growth chemically first, so it's actually dead before any pressure touches the surface. We then use the lowest pressure that gets the job done - often steam or a soft wash - which is gentler on the stone and the joints, and the clean lasts considerably longer as a result.
Local, Straightforward, and Easy to Reach
- Run by Trevor, directly contactable
- Speak to the person doing the work on 07501 060609, not a call centre.
- Fully insured
- Full insurance cover for every job, whatever the size.
- Biocide trained (2024)
- Properly trained in the treatments needed to actually shift black spot lichen for good.
- We look after you and your property
- That's the standard we work to on every visit, not just a slogan.
1960s and 70s Estate Patios
Patios from this era in Stockton-on-Tees are often concrete flags or early paving slabs, laid directly onto sand or hardcore with minimal drainage falls built in. Over fifty-plus years the surface has usually absorbed a lot of green algae and moss into a slightly rougher, more porous finish than newer materials.
These older concrete flags can be more prone to surface crazing, so we test pressure carefully rather than assuming they'll take the same clean as modern slabs.
Homes & businesses
Office and Retail Frontages
Paved courtyards, smoking areas and entrance patios at commercial premises need to stay safe and presentable for staff, customers and visitors. We treat lichen and algae properly rather than a quick pressure blast that leaves it looking patchy within weeks.
We can set up a regular contract so it's dealt with on a schedule rather than only when someone notices it's got bad.
Patio Cleaning in Stockton-on-Tees — common questions
Call 07501 060609 to talk through your patio and get a straightforward quote.
It's a bit slower than a straight pressure wash, but it's the difference between a patio that looks clean for a fortnight and one that stays that way.
Book Before the Weather Turns
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.
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