Call any patio cleaner for a quote, and you’ll probably hear the same thing: ‘Don’t worry, we’ll have it looking brand new.’ It’s a reassuring promise, but it doesn’t tell you much about how they’ll do the job.
The truth is, anyone can buy a pressure washer from B&Q and call themselves a professional. And if they use the wrong method on your paving, you could end up with damaged slabs and an eye-watering bill.
So, here are the questions you should ask to make sure you’re hiring the right people.
Will You Inspect the Patio Before Giving a Quote?
If a company gives you a price over the phone without asking anything about your patio, that figure is little more than a guess.
A reliable professional will insist on visiting first or, at the very least, ask for clear photos and exact measurements. They need to know what your paving is made of and what condition it’s in before they can tell you what the job involves.
While they’re there, ask them to point out any loose slabs or crumbling pointing. You’ll want those problems on record before the work starts, so nobody argues later about who caused them.
What Cleaning Method Will You Use?
Once they’ve seen your patio, they should be able to explain how they plan to clean it and why they’ve chosen that method.
That’s because different surfaces need different treatments. Concrete and porcelain can handle pressure washing. Indian sandstone, which you’ll find in gardens all over Britain, is much softer, and too much pressure can leave it rough and pitted.
For delicate surfaces like this, many companies use soft washing instead. This means they apply a cleaning solution to kill the algae and moss, and then rinse everything away at low pressure.
So, if a company tells you they use the same high-pressure technique for every patio, you might want to keep looking for other options.
Can You Remove the Stains I Have?
While you’re discussing the method, show them the stains that bother you the most. Some marks are harder to remove than others, and a few may never disappear completely.
You’ll find that removing green algae is usually the easy part. But those stubborn little black spots? That’s black lichen. It roots deep into paving, and getting rid of it requires specialised chemical treatments.
The same goes for oil smudges from your grill and rust marks from metal furniture. A trustworthy company will tell you upfront which stains they can completely remove and which ones will only fade, so you won’t end up disappointed on the day.
What’s Included in the Price?
Now that you know how they’ll clean your patio, it’s time to talk about money. A quote can sound like a bargain until you find out that half the job costs extra.
So, ask exactly what the price covers. Does it include stain treatment, weed removal, and sweeping up afterwards?
You should also ask about re-sanding and sealing. If you have block paving, cleaning will wash out some of the sand between the blocks, and it’ll need to be topped up to keep them stable.
As for sealing, it adds a protective layer that makes it harder for stains and algae to take hold. A reliable patio cleaning company will tell you whether your surface actually needs these services and list them separately on your quote.
How Long Will the Job Take?
Once you’re happy with the price, you’ll need to plan for the day itself. Most patios take a few hours to clean, but a large or badly neglected one can take most of the day.
If you’re having your patio sealed, expect the job to take even longer. The surface needs to be completely dry before the sealant goes on, and given the British weather, that usually means a second visit.
It’s also a good idea to ask what they need from you. Most companies will use your outside tap, and some will need a power socket as well.
And don’t forget to ask who’ll be moving the furniture and plant pots. It’s better to know in advance than to find yourself stuck dragging a heavy table across your lawn five minutes before they arrive.
How Will You Protect the Surrounding Areas?
With the practical details sorted, there’s one more thing to check before the work begins. Patio cleaning is a messy job, and the dirty water may end up spreading across other surfaces.
It can splash onto your walls and windows, so ask how the company plans to protect them. The same applies to your plants, since some cleaning products can damage your flower beds and lawn if they aren’t rinsed off properly.
Then, ask what will happen to the wastewater. A responsible company will have a plan for it and won’t let dirty water full of chemicals run into the nearest drain or your neighbour’s garden.
What Happens If Something Gets Damaged?
Let’s face it, even careful professionals can have accidents. A slab might crack, or the pointing between the stones might come loose during cleaning.
That’s why you should always ask whether the company has public liability insurance. Any reputable business will have it and won’t mind showing you proof.
You should also find out what they’ll do if something goes wrong. Will they repair the damage themselves or cover the cost? It’s much easier to agree on this before the visit than to argue about it afterwards.
Do You Have Reviews or Recent Examples?
By now, you’ve heard plenty of promises. The last step is to check that the company can back them up.
So, ask for photos of patios similar to yours. Before-and-after pictures are helpful, but keep in mind that most patios look amazing when they’re freshly washed and still wet.
Then, read their reviews on sites like Checkatrade or Trustpilot, and pay attention to what people say. You want to know whether the team showed up on time, cleaned up after themselves, and left customers happy months later.
If everything checks out, you can go ahead and book your appointment with confidence.
Conclusion
Your patio has spent years collecting algae, oil, and souvenirs that the pigeons left behind. The right company can get rid of all of it in a single afternoon, and it only takes a few questions to find the best fit for your needs.
So, make your calls, confirm all details, and get ready to enjoy a patio that looks as good as the day it was laid.
