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Need help with patio cleaning? Book patio cleaning or get a quote from OOR External.
Material
Natural stone such as Indian sandstone needs low pressure and patient treatment, which takes longer than cleaning concrete slabs. Porcelain is quicker to clean but needs care at edges and joints. Slate, limestone and reconstituted stone each have their own needs. Knowing the material helps a quote reflect the right method.
Jointing
Patios may be jointed with sand, mortar or resin compound. Sand joints are refilled after cleaning, adding materials and time. Mortar and resin joints are checked before cleaning because they can wash out if loose, and repairs are a separate matter. The condition of the joints is often a bigger factor than the slabs.
Black spot and algae
Black spot lichen and green algae are common on patios, especially in shade. Treating black spot properly means applying a product and allowing dwell time, sometimes with a follow-up. That adds to the cost compared with a simple wash, but it is what actually deals with the spots.
Garden access
Once the patio has been cleaned, keep leaves clear of the slabs and drainage channels. Note where water remains after rain, and distinguish a drainage problem from staining that needs cleaning. Existing surface coatings should be identified before the work, rather than assuming all slabs tolerate the same method. Describe the whole patio in photographs, including steps and edges, so the quotation covers the surfaces you actually want cleaned.
Most patios are in back gardens. Access through a side gate is simple; carrying equipment through a house or down steps takes longer and needs floor protection. Water supply, power and where runoff will go are part of the plan. Plants, ponds and lawns around the patio are protected during treatment.
- Side gate or through the house
- Steps and level changes
- Water supply and drainage
- Plants, ponds and lawns nearby
Comparing patio cleaning prices
Some quotes cover a jet wash only. Others include black spot treatment, joint work and a tidy-up. A cheaper quote that skips treatment may leave black spots in place or bring algae back quickly. Compare the method, the products and what happens to the joints. For driveways, the driveway cleaning cost guide covers the factors specific to those surfaces.
Need it sorted? Book patio cleaning
Send OOR External photographs of the patio, close-ups of the joints and any black spots, and a note on garden access, then use the quote form below for a free written quotation. Domestic work is taken on within about fifteen miles of the Dover base.
Size and layout of the patio
Area still matters. A small courtyard patio behind a terrace takes far less time than a large patio that wraps around a house. Steps, raised beds, retaining walls and paths leading off the patio add to the work, as do slabs laid around ponds or water features that need protecting. Measure roughly or count the slabs, and mention any areas you want included or left out.
First cleans and maintenance cleans
A patio cleaned for the first time in years carries more growth and staining, so it takes longer than a patio cleaned regularly. Black spot in particular builds up over several seasons. After a thorough first clean, lighter maintenance visits keep the surface in good condition. If you are preparing for a garden party, a house sale or new furniture, mention the date so the work can be timed.
Furniture, pots and garden features
Tables, chairs, heavy planters and barbecues need moving before cleaning. Say whether you can clear the patio yourself or need help, and mention anything too heavy to move. Rust marks under metal furniture and rings under plant pots are common and may need their own treatment.