Patios live a hard life in the North West. Shaded slabs go green with algae every winter, black spot lichen creeps across Indian stone year after year, and a summer of barbecues leaves grease and food stains ground into the surface. Before long the patio you avoid looking at is the one you avoid sitting on.
We clean patios right across Greater Manchester — Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Altrincham, Sale, Denton, Ashton-under-Lyne and beyond. Slabs, flags and Indian stone all get a surface-matched clean that lifts the grime without damaging the stone, and every job is quoted free with no obligation.
What is patio cleaning?
Patio cleaning is a specialist jet wash of your paved outdoor living area, designed to remove algae, lichen, moss, grease and general weathering from slabs, flags and natural stone. Because patios are somewhere you sit, eat and let children and pets play, the finish matters as much as the clean — even, streak-free and safe underfoot.
Different stones need different handling. Concrete slabs take a firm wash happily, while Indian sandstone is softer and can be marked by too much pressure or by acidic cleaners. We adjust the pressure, the nozzle and the chemicals for the stone in front of us, not the other way round.
How we do it
- Survey the stone and pointing: We identify the stone — concrete slab, Indian sandstone, slate or porcelain — and check the pointing between the slabs for cracks or loose mortar. Weak pointing gets a gentler wash or is worked around, so the clean does not turn into a re-pointing job.
- Clear and protect the area: Furniture, pots and planters are moved aside, and beds and lawns next to the patio are covered or soaked down so run-off does not scorch your plants. We also check where the water will drain so we are not flooding a flower bed.
- Pre-treat algae and black spots: Algae gets a moss and algae treatment, and the stubborn black spots — lichen — get a dedicated pre-soak and a proper dwell of 20 minutes or more. These spots will not shift with water alone, so the chemistry has to do the heavy lifting before the lance comes out.
- Wash the surface evenly: The patio is washed with a rotary surface cleaner for a consistent finish, with edges and awkward corners done by fan lance. Stubborn lichen patches may need a second pass — we would rather take the time than crank the pressure up and risk the stone.
- Rinse, check and reset: Everything is rinsed down, the pointing is checked again, and furniture is moved back once the surface is safe to walk on. We point out any cracked pointing or drainage issues we spotted, so nothing nasty surprises you later.
Why have it done
- Lifts green algae and slippery winter growth from the surface
- Removes black spot lichen that creeps across stone year after year
- Clears barbecue grease, food stains and general grime
- Makes the patio safer and more pleasant to walk and sit on
- Gives you your garden back for the months you actually use it
Black spots and lichen: the honest picture
Those black dots on Indian stone and concrete slabs are lichen, and they are the hardest thing a patio throws at us. They bond to the stone and will not shift with pressure alone — anybody who promises to blast them off in one pass is going to damage your slabs trying.
Our approach is a dedicated pre-treatment with a long dwell, followed by washing and a second pass on anything stubborn. Most lichen comes off; very deep-rooted colonies can leave a faint mark. It is slow work, but it is the only way that does not scar the stone.
Looking after Indian stone
Indian sandstone is beautiful and very common across Greater Manchester patios, but it is softer than concrete and it hates acidic cleaners — they bleach and pit the surface. We use neutral, stone-safe treatments and keep the pressure moderate, which is why our cleans take a little longer on natural stone.
After the clean, the best thing you can do is sweep regularly and keep pots and planters on feet so water does not sit underneath them. If the front of the house needs the same treatment, our driveway jet washing pairs naturally with a patio clean on the same visit.
What does it cost?
As a rough guide, patio cleaning across Greater Manchester typically falls between £70 and £180 depending on the size of the patio, the type of stone and how much algae or lichen has built up — every job is quoted free after a look at photos or a quick site visit.
Patio Cleaning FAQs
How much does patio cleaning cost in Manchester?
Most domestic patios across Greater Manchester fall between £70 and £180. Size is the biggest factor, then the stone — Indian sandstone takes longer because it needs a gentler, slower clean — and then the condition, since heavy lichen needs pre-treatment and repeat passes. A free quote from photos or a visit gives you the exact price before we start.
Will jet washing damage my Indian stone or the pointing?
It can if it is done carelessly, which is why we treat natural stone differently from concrete slabs. We keep the pressure moderate, never use acidic chemicals on Indian sandstone, and we check the pointing before we start so cracked or loose mortar gets a gentle wash or is worked around. The stone comes out clean, not scarred.
Can you remove the black spots on my patio slabs?
Those black spots are lichen, and yes, we can remove most of them — but not with water alone. They get a dedicated pre-treatment with a long dwell time, then a wash, then a second pass on anything stubborn. Very deep-rooted colonies can leave a faint mark, and we will tell you honestly what to expect when we quote rather than promise the impossible.
How long before I can put the furniture back?
Usually the same day. A patio is walkable within an hour or two in decent weather, and furniture can go back once the surface is dry underfoot — we will move the lighter pieces back for you. In damp winter weather give it a little longer, and keep heavy planters off for a day so they do not trap moisture underneath.
My patio pointing is crumbling — should I still have it cleaned?
Yes, but tell us first. We check the pointing during the survey and wash gently around weak areas so the clean does not make things worse. Cleaning actually helps you see the true state of the pointing, and we will point out anything that needs re-pointing before it becomes a bigger job. A clean, sound patio is worth more than a dirty one hiding problems.
How do I clean patio slabs naturally without a pressure washer?
Sweep the slabs clear, then scrub with warm water and a stiff brush, using soda crystals for general grime or white vinegar diluted in water for green algae. Leave the solution to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before scrubbing, then rinse well. This works for light dirt, but it will not shift lichen black spots or ingrained staining, which need professional pre-treatments. It is honest maintenance between cleans, not a substitute for a proper deep clean every year or two.
How long does patio cleaning take?
A typical domestic patio takes one to three hours, depending on its size, the type of stone and how much algae or lichen has built up. Indian stone and heavily lichen-covered slabs take longer because the pre-treatments need a proper dwell and stubborn patches need a second pass. We give you the expected time when we quote. You can usually walk on it again within an hour or two, and the furniture goes back the same day.
Should I seal my patio after cleaning?
It is optional, not essential. A quality penetrating sealer slows algae regrowth and makes future cleans easier, which suits shaded patios that green up fast. But sealing adds cost, needs a fully dry surface, and poor sealers can peel or trap moisture — so we do not push it on everyone. We will tell you honestly whether your stone would genuinely benefit. We do not sell sealers ourselves, so there is no sales pitch either way.
Can you clean porcelain patio slabs?
Yes. Porcelain is tough and non-porous, so it cleans up beautifully — the grime sits on the surface rather than soaking in. We keep the pressure moderate to protect the pointing, which is the weak link on most porcelain patios, and we are careful around the printed pattern so the finish is not dulled. Everything is rinsed thoroughly afterwards, since polished porcelain can be slippery while any residue remains.
How often should I clean my patio in Manchester?
Once a year suits most Greater Manchester patios, ideally in spring or autumn. Shaded, north-facing patios and Indian stone that holds moisture may need it more often, while sunny, well-drained porcelain can sometimes stretch to two years. Between cleans, sweep regularly and keep pots on feet so water does not sit underneath them. If the patio is under trees, autumn is the time — after the leaves are down but before the winter damp sets in.
Can you remove rust stains from my patio?
Often, yes. Rust marks from metal furniture, planters or barbecue legs respond to a dedicated rust treatment rather than pressure, which just spreads the stain. We identify the mark first — rust, fertiliser staining and tannin from leaves all look similar but clean differently — and treat accordingly. Very old rust that has soaked deep into porous stone can leave a faint mark, and we will tell you what to expect before we start.
Patio Cleaning across Greater Manchester
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