Patio Jet Washing in Huthwaite, Kirkby

Patios in Huthwaite go green and slippery over a wet winter, and by autumn a lot of them look far older than they are. Jet washing takes them back to their original colour and makes them safe to walk on again.

The right pressure matters. Too much pressure etches the surface of softer slabs and blasts the jointing out; too little just moves the dirt around. The pressure and nozzle are chosen for the surface - sandstone, concrete slabs and block paving in Huthwaite gardens all need slightly different handling.

Block paving and older slabs usually lose some of their jointing sand when they are cleaned, so it is swept back in afterwards. Where weeds have grown through the joints, they are cleared first so they do not simply return.

A biocide treatment after cleaning slows the algae and moss coming back, so the patio stays cleaner for longer through the next Huthwaite winter.

Paths, steps and driveways can be done on the same visit, which makes sense when the equipment is already set up.

Garden furniture, pots and anything stored on the patio are moved before washing and put back afterwards. For older Huthwaite houses with sandstone paths or steps, the cleaning is done more gently, because natural stone is softer than concrete slabs and can be damaged by too much pressure, and the aim is to clean it without taking years off its surface.

Driveways and patios in Huthwaite that have oil or rust staining can be treated separately, as those marks do not always lift with water alone. It is worth mentioning any stains you want tackled before the day, so the right treatment is brought along rather than a second visit being needed. A lawn that stays wet, a hedge that has gone woody at the base, or a fence leaning under the weight of a shrub are worth looking at before the next season makes them worse.