If you're lucky enough to have a patio, you'll appreciate how great it is to have an outdoor space to relax in during the warmer months. You can enjoy barbecues and parties, chill out with friends, or soak up the sun with a cool drink in your hand.
However, patios need regular maintenance if they're to continue looking their best, and patio cleaning should be carried out fairly frequently.
You can keep on top of this task using a few home remedies, but there are times when only a professional patio cleaner will do.
RenWash provide a first-class patio cleaning service that restores your patio surface to 'like-new' condition!
Here are some tips on cleaning your patio, along with an overview of how RenWash will make your patio look amazing.
For countless homeowners, a pressure washer is the answer to all cleaning problems!
However, while pressure washers certainly are useful for some jobs, they aren't always the best solution for patio cleaning unless used with care.
In the wrong hands, a jet washer will damage or dislodge the pointing or sand between the paving slabs. In fact, a power washer on a high-pressure setting may even cause pitting on the top layer of the slabs, compromising their structural integrity and ruining the colour.
If you have a concrete patio, it's advisable to avoid using a jet wash altogether as they really aren't suited to this material. Mosaic surfaces are also at risk if the water pressure is set too high, as this could dislodge the tiles.
To pressure wash your patio safely, always use a low-pressure jet with the nozzle on a fan setting. Try to avoid spraying in the cracks between the paving stones anyway, as this ensures that the sand or pointing is left undisturbed.
When you use a pressure washer correctly, the results are impressive! The dirty patio is transformed and all that nasty grime is gone in a few hours.
One negative point about using a pressure washer is that unless you already own one, you'll need to hire or buy one specifically for the job. Also, few people have the patience or indeed the skill to produce perfect results when jet washing.
It takes time, planning and a methodical approach to achieve the very best results, and that's exactly what the RenWash team is trained to do.
Branded patio cleaners (such as Algon Organic Path & patio Cleaner) are available at most garden centres these days, and these can be applied using a garden sprayer before being scrubbed in and washed off with cold water.
Although many are environmentally friendly and non-toxic, be sure to check the label for any warnings, particularly if pets or children use the patio area.
These liquids are designed specifically for the job, and most work well, although you may need to apply some elbow grease to get the best results, particularly for stubborn dirt.
You should also be aware that some heavy-duty cleaners may not be suitable for all types of patio materials, so it's wise to check this before applying. Some are fairly acidic and will erode the surface of the blocks or cause discolouration.
For those looking for eco-friendly home remedies, a water/white vinegar mix can be effective. Mix up a 1:1 solution* in a watering can and pour over the entire surface. Allow the vinegar and water solution to sit for 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing off the dirty water.
*You may need to use more vinegar for stubborn stains.
The beauty of using a white vinegar mix is that it will run into the cracks between the paving slabs and act as a natural weed killer that's harmless to pets, kids and wildlife!
For general cleaning and light staining, soda crystals are ideal. Simply apply these to a bucket of warm water and scrub the area with a stiff-bristle brush.
Leave it to soak in for about 30 minutes and rinse off with a hose or pressure washer on a low setting.
Although it is often recommended in forums or by certain patio cleaning companies as a safe and effective method, using household bleach to clean patio slabs should be a last resort only. Most household bleaches contain sodium hypochlorite, which is potentially harmful to humans, animals and plants.
There is also a risk that it will damage or discolour the paving slabs: bleach is best suited to natural stone only and it will fade artificial blocks over time.
Only ever use a weak solution and scrub with a broom or hard bristle brush. Leave it for around 30 minutes before rinsing it off with clean water.
If you are using bleach to remove mildew, mould or green algae, bear in mind that white vinegar is actually more effective at removing these and will prevent regrowth better than bleach can.
This is a very popular method as it produces outstanding results through gentle cleaning, and it is safe and effective on both natural and artificial patio surfaces.
The DOFF steam cleaning machine uses super-heated water (150ºc) sprayed at very low pressure onto the patio surface. The hot water will remove stubborn stains left by lichen, algae and mould, and is even more effective than a pressure washer!
What's more, it's an eco-friendly option as the steam kills the algae, lichen and mould spores along with any other organic growth. This effectively stops regrowth for up to six months, and often for much longer, depending on the local environment and climate.
Also, your patio is dry within minutes! The water is so hot that it soon evaporates, leaving the surface looking super clean and perfectly dry. When using a pressure washer, the patio becomes saturated and may take a while to dry out.
As a professional cleaning company, RenWash trains all staff in a wide range of cleaning methods and provides the best equipment for each project.
Each job is tackled with the same professionalism and enthusiasm, although the approach may vary according to the demands.
Here's an idea of what happens during a typical patio cleaning session:
On arrival, the team will check the area over (if we've been advised that the patio is covered in weeds, we may arrange a prior visit to apply a herbicide) and prepare the appropriate equipment.
All garden furniture, ornaments and pot plants are removed to prevent trip hazards and avoid any damage.
The team will pull up any obvious weeds before any cleaning work goes ahead.
Having decided which method is best for the type of patio slabs in use, the team will then get started. This often involves the steam cleaning machine, although a rotary flat surface cleaner or pressure washer may be used.
They will focus on stubborn areas to ensure that every last trace of dirt is gone, leaving your patio looking as if it had just been newly laid.
The team will go over the patio to make sure it meets our precise standards. They will then return all items like plants and outdoor furniture to their proper places and tidy up any tools, equipment and debris from the work.
Once the team is satisfied that all is well, they will inform you so that you can check for yourself. The job is signed off once the customer is happy with the result, and the team will leave you to enjoy your fresh-looking patio!
It really depends on the size and state of the patio. It may be that you've moved house and the patio has been badly neglected, overgrown with weeds and caked in lichen and moss. In this case, it would need a great deal of work and specialist treatment.
However, it could be that you simply want us to apply our expertise to a patio area that's been fairly well maintained.
As a rough average, here's what you might expect to pay for patio cleaning in the UK:
Bear in mind that these are based on a national average. Please contact us for a more specific figure based on the exact dimensions and the current state of your patio.
Essentially, it only takes a few hours!
Of course, we need to take into account the condition of your patio as well as its size. But, on average, it takes between 3 and 5 hours to fully clean a medium-sized patio.
Also, the weather can affect the length of time taken, and this should be taken into account at the time. Sadly, we have no control over the atmospheric conditions! In extreme weather - hot, cold or torrential rain - our duty of care lies in ensuring the safety of our staff.
However, our aim is to provide the very best results while causing minimum inconvenience to our clients.
Not everyone is prepared to take on this thankless job themselves, and some homeowners may not be physically able to do so. Many people don't have the time or fear that they won't get the same results - which is a fair point.
Using a professional patio cleaner like RenWash makes sense, for the following reasons:
To keep your patio looking great, it's best to wash it down once in a while using a patio cleaning solution (or even a weak solution of washing up liquid).
Make a to-do list that looks something like this:
Even so, it makes sense to book a deep clean with RenWash every 18 months, as this will ensure that your patio area looks fantastic. The best time to do this is in spring, as dirt, fallen leaves and algae all accumulate in the winter months, making your patio look grimy and unpleasant.
If your patio has suffered from neglect or is in need of some serious TLC, the RenWash team is on hand to help you.
Whether you've just bought a home and need your patio cleaned, or you're selling up and want the property to look its best, we're the people for the job. Maybe you're a landlord who wants the place to look good for your new tenants, or you simply need some help getting the patio looking great again.
Whatever your position, RenWash is the perfect choice. We'll transform your outdoor space in a few hours, with no fuss and with spectacular results.
And on top of this, we don't just deal with dirty patios! Our expert team also handles driveway cleaning, decking, and many other types of hard surfaces, so be sure to check out our extensive range of professional cleaning services.
Contact us right now to discover exactly how we can help you to restore your patio space and much more besides. Our helpful team will provide a free quote and answer any queries you may have regarding our comprehensive cleaning service.
The frequency with which your patio should be cleaned is determined by a number of factors, including the amount of use it receives and the climate in your area. Typically, your patio should be cleaned at least once a year, but more frequent cleaning may be required in areas with high foot traffic or harsh weather conditions.
Yes, we can clean up stains on your patio. To remove most stains, including oil and grease stains, we use specialised cleaning products and techniques.
We do provide cleaning and sealing services. We will apply a sealant after cleaning to protect your patio from future staining and discoloration.
Yes, we can clean patios made of different materials, such as concrete and natural stone. We use cleaning methods and products that are appropriate for each type of surface.
