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.

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.

Do you work on patios in Whickham regularly, or is it a special trip?

Whickham falls within our normal 45-mile working area from our Washington base, so it's part of our regular schedule rather than an occasional job - which generally means more flexible availability for booking.

Get Your Patio Looking Its Best in Whickham

Patio looking patchy or slippery in Whickham? Proper biocide treatment plus expert cleaning gets black spot lichen gone for good, not just for a fortnight.

Patio Cleaning in Whickham — the finished patio after a full clean, in the Gateshead Council area

Patio Cleaning in Whickham — work in progress across the flagstones, on a NE16 property

Patio Cleaning in Whickham — close detail on the cleaned stone, in the Gateshead Council area

07501060609 Get a free quote

Patio cleaning prices in Whickham 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.

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.

A patio clean should leave you with stone that looks close to the day it was laid - even colour, no black spot lichen, joints free of moss, and no green slick across the edges where it stays damp. That's the standard we work to on every job in Whickham.

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.

Modern Estate Patios

Newer builds around Whickham more often have Indian sandstone, porcelain or block paving laid within the last decade or two, usually with better drainage falls than older properties. That means less standing water, but black spot lichen can still establish quickly in shaded corners near fences and conifers.

Because the stone is younger, sealing is often a realistic option here - a treated, cleaned and sealed modern patio can stay looking close to new for several seasons if the joints and surface are in good condition to start with.

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.

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.

Sandstone or limestone, moderate growth

around £5-£7 per m²

Block paving joint re-sanding

typically £3-£6 per m²

Restricted access or heavy growth

typically £20-£80 more

Patio Cleaning near Whickham

Patio Cleaning in Whickham — common questions

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.

A patio in Whickham 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.

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

Patio, Decking and Fencing in One Visit

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.

Get a Free Quote Call 07501060609