Patio & Driveway Cleaning Specialists Serving Whitley Bay
Black spot lichen on your patio in Whitley Bay? We treat it properly, then clean - sandstone, limestone, porcelain, concrete and block paving all covered here.
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Why does a patio in Whitley Bay 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.
We treat, clean and can seal patios across Whitley Bay - sandstone, limestone, porcelain, concrete flags and block paving all covered, with a biocide treatment for black spot lichen and moss before any washing starts.
Black spot lichen and green algae spread fast across Indian sandstone, limestone and concrete flags, and once it takes hold a garden hose won't shift it. The dark speckling that starts in the shady corner of a patio in Whitley Bay creeps outward every wet spell, and by the time it reaches the seating area most of it is bonded into the stone rather than sitting on top.
Trained to Treat, Not Just Wash
- Biocide trained (2024)
- Up-to-date training means black spot lichen and algae get treated at the root, not just blasted off the surface.
- Asbestos awareness trained
- Useful on older properties where garden structures or outbuildings may contain legacy materials we need to work safely around.
- Fully insured
- Every visit is covered by full insurance for your peace of mind.
- Softwash, steam and low-pressure methods
- We match the method to the material rather than using one setting for every patio.
Former Colliery Terrace Housing
In the ex-colliery terraces around Whitley Bay, rear yards were often flagged rather than turfed, and many still have the original stone or early concrete underfoot. Coal dust staining from decades past can sit under more recent algae growth, so a clean sometimes reveals old ingrained marks that a wash alone won't lift.
Narrow yards and high boundary walls typical of this housing keep these areas shaded and slow to dry, which is exactly the environment black spot lichen prefers - it's a genuine repeat-treatment area rather than a once-and-done job.
Add-On Services and Sealing
Sealing, re-sanding of block paving joints and re-pointing advice are usually priced separately from the base clean, since they depend on the condition we find once the surface is clean and dry.
| 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 |
| Fencing clean add-on | from around £3-£5 per linear metre |
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.
A Typical Patio Clean, Visit by Visit
- 1
Initial assessment
We check the material, extent of black spot lichen or algae, and the condition of the pointing and any edging before quoting.
- 2
Biocide treatment
Affected areas get treated with a biocide to kill lichen, moss and algae at the root, not just on the surface.
- 3
Dwell time
We leave the treatment to work - this is what actually kills the growth rather than just loosening it.
- 4
Clean and rinse
Steam or low-pressure washing removes the dead growth and ingrained dirt, with attention paid to the joints as well as the flags.
- 5
Final check and advice
We walk the patio with you, point out anything worth knowing - loose pointing, a weak flag, whether sealing would help - and leave it tidy.
Concrete Flags
- Older concrete flags, especially from the 1960s-80s, tend to be more porous than modern cast slabs and can show surface crazing after decades outside. We check condition before deciding on pressure, since heavily worn concrete can be more fragile than it looks.
- Concrete takes biocide treatment well, and a proper clean can bring genuinely tired-looking flags back to a much more even, presentable finish.
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.
Nearest Towns We Work In
Whitley Bay sits close to North Shields, Tynemouth and South Shields, all areas we cover as part of our normal working week rather than as an exception.
That proximity means scheduling is usually flexible, and we can often offer a nearby time slot if your preferred date is booked up.
Patio Cleaning in Whitley Bay — common questions
Get in touch with Trevor on 07501 060609 for a straightforward quote.
A patio in Whitley Bay 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.
Not Sure What Your Patio Needs?
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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