Patio Cleaning in Fenny Stratford

Many homes in Fenny Stratford sit on compact plots, and the space behind them is often a yard rather than a garden. Paving here tends to be a mix: worn brick, a few heavy flags that may have been down for generations, newer concrete slabs added later and the odd patch of porcelain by the back door. Cleaning that mix as one surface rarely works, because each material reacts differently to water, pressure and treatment.

In an enclosed yard the walls and fences keep sunlight off much of the ground, so moisture lingers. That is why a green film so often creeps out from the corners and why moss settles into brick joints. Close to the canal and the river, some gardens may also stay damp for longer after wet weather, although this varies from street to street.

Brick paving is the most delicate. Soft, older bricks can lose their face under a strong jet, and the joints between them are narrow enough to empty quickly. We clean brick by hand or on a low setting, then judge whether the joints need refilling. Old stone flags get similar treatment, because their surface may already be worn smooth or crumbly in places.

Where the water goes. In a small yard the dirty water runs straight to the nearest gully. We sweep up debris first so that sludge does not end up in your drains, and we keep spray away from doors, windows and the neighbour's wall. If your gully is slow, mention it at the visit, as a blocked one turns a quick clean into a flooded yard.

Concrete slabs and porcelain are more forgiving. Porcelain is dense and does not soak up dirt, so it mostly needs a careful wash and attention to the joints. Concrete can take a little more pressure, though textured finishes should still be cleaned evenly to avoid striping.