Patio Cleaning in Walton

Gardens in Walton are often larger than elsewhere in this part of Milton Keynes, and the patios match them. Wide terraces of Indian sandstone are common, sometimes with steps down to a second level or a path running the length of the lawn. On a big area, the main challenge is consistency. Clean one half harder than the other and the difference shows for years.

Indian sandstone is popular for good reason, but it is porous and it marks. Over time it picks up a grey film, green growth in damp spots and, very often, black spot lichen. Those black dots look like dirt but are living organisms anchored into the stone. Pressure alone will not remove them without damaging the slab, so we apply a lichen treatment and give it time to break them down, sometimes over several weeks.

Walton homeowners searching for professional patio cleaning often have a mix of surfaces outside: a main sandstone terrace, a porcelain area by wide glazed doors and gravel or block elsewhere. Porcelain simply needs a gentle wash and clean joints, because it does not absorb stains the way sandstone does, so the effort goes into the pointing rather than the tile.

Larger plots also tend to have more mature trees. Leaves, seed cases and sap fall onto the paving, sit in the joints and feed algae through the winter. The parts of the terrace closest to a canopy usually need a stronger pre-treatment than the open areas.

• Furniture, pots and barbecues cleared in agreed stages
• Growth pre-treated and left to soften
• Surface washed with a rotary cleaner for an even finish
• Edges and steps cleaned by hand
• Joints checked and marked for repointing

Pressure on sandstone. A strong jet held close can strip the top layer from sandstone, leaving pale patches and a rough face that collects dirt faster. On a large terrace that mistake is expensive to put right, so we use the lowest pressure that does the job.