Patio Cleaning Specialist services & Lichen “Black Spots” removal Specialist services
Benefits of Patio Maintenance
Patio Cleaning Services
Patio Lichen Removal Services (Patio Black Spot Removal Services)
Patio Sealing Services
Information on Patio Sealants
Our fully trained and skilled technicians can advise you on the complete cleaning and treatment process along with recommendations for the most suitable products for your project and can provide a tailored solution to exceed your specific requirements,
Our services and technicians are covered by full public liability insurance and operate within strict health & safety policies, providing all our customers with an important peace of mind.
All our services are undertaken with professional commercial machinery and industry leading cleaning solutions and materials, providing far superior results and impact which can not be achieved from the use of retail/domestic equipment.
We never compromise quality for time and provide our clients with realistic schedules and project plans that accommodate their lives and business activities. We strive for honest customer service and to exceed customer expectations, therefore projects are only paid in full when the finished project is to your complete satisfaction.
Benefits of Patio Maintenance
Here are just some of the ways a poorly maintained driveway can negatively impact your single biggest investment (that would be your home).
Improved Visual Appeal: Regardless of what material your driveway is paved with if it’s poorly maintained will have an adverse affect your home’s curb appeal. If your driveway is composed of block pavers and has weeds and moss growth between the blocks this can lead to individual paving stones coming loose and the whole surface looking shabby. An old, cracked, bleached out tarmac driveway is a sorry thing to behold, while a concrete driveway that’s stained or been undermined by the freeze/thaw cycle will give any home a rundown look that will be hard to shake.
Improved Home Value: It doesn’t take much to send the value of a home into a tailspin and having a shabby looking or unsafe driveway is certainly one way to do just that. Valuations are built on a number of factors including safety, “livability” and the likelihood a home would attract buyers if offered for sale. A poorly maintained driveway can put downward pressure on all those factors and cause your home to lose significant market value.
Improved Safety: A patio plagued with Algae and moss growth can cause slippery surfaces and potential dangerous slip hazard for yourself, family members and visitors and in worst case scenarios leading to injury and expensive insurance claims.
Irreversible damage Prevention: Allowing a patio to deteriorate can lead to long term damage which can result in either expensive repairs or replacement.
Our Patio Cleaning Services
Our services include pressure washing, soft washing and Steam cleaning. The most appropriate cleaning technique would be dependent upon the surface material to be cleaned and structural integrity of the surface. In summary, if the jointing between the slabs is stable and the surface consists of a strong material pressure washing would be suitable. However is the jointing is loose and the the surface consists of a soft material, soft washing or steam cleaning would be suitable.
Our Process for patio cleaning?
Removal of all removable obstructing furniture, tables, chairs, plant pots, barbecues and ornaments.
Sweep away any loose debris from the cleaning area.
Cover any surrounding areas i.e. plants and ponds which could be affected by cleaning solutions.
Pressure wash, soft wash or steam clean the area including all edging and copping stones.
Spray and manually scrub industry leading anti fungi solution and degreaser onto the cleaning area to remove any remaining bacterial spores and grease.
In instances where lichen “black spots” still appear, a solution which is designed to eradicate the embedded spores will be sprayed and manually scrubbed into the area, This process may require several applications, dependent on the quantity and how embedded they are to the surface.
Rinse the cleaned area with clean water.
Re-placement of all removable furniture, tables, chairs, plant pots, barbecues and ornaments.
Our Patio Lichen Removal Services (Patio Black Spot Removal Services)
While the use of our commercial pressure equipment will remove all the embedded grime, moss and algae, the removal of lichen 'black spots' from natural stone surfaces may require soft washing techniques to ensure the embedded spores in the surface are eliminated.
In instances where the pressure washing cleaning process has been completed and where lichen “black spots” still appear, a solution which is designed to eradicate the embedded spores will be sprayed and manually scrubbed into the area, This process may require several applications, dependent on the quantity and how embedded the lichen are to the surface.
The images below are of projects we have undertaken showing the results of pressure washing alone and the results achieved following the lichen removal treatment.
Our Patio Sealant Services
We are proud to be a Resiblock Registered Installer. Resiblock Ltd are the industry leading suppliers of patio pr0tective sealants.
Our fully trained technicians will advise you on the sealant options and processes. Their extensive industry knowledge and experience, enables them to answer any questions you may have regarding the most suitable products for your project.
All our services are undertaken with full public liability insurance and in accordance with the relevant health and safety regulations.
The damp UK climate means an un-protected patio will rapidly deteriorate over time. The damp porous surface of a patio will quickly become vulnerable to the loose jointing between the slabs and growth of weeds, moss, green algae and lichen. Patio sealers work by forming a protective seal on the surface. patio sealers work by impregnating or filling all the microscopic holes or voids in the substrate and jointing to create a very effective barrier to water penetration.
Sealcoating: Provides improved appearance, enhanced protection against the elements and can stave off the need for expensive repairs in the long run. Seal coating your patio blocks UV rays from bleaching the surface and strengthens the jointing that could otherwise lead to larger expensive repairs.
Our Process for application of patio sealants?
Patio sealing can only be applied following the pressure washing and anti fungi solution and degreaser cleaning of the drive. Sealants should only be applied when the surface is completely dry (usually minimum 5 days post cleaning).
Removal of all removable furniture, tables, chairs, plant pots, and ornaments.
Sweep away any debris and dust from the surface area which the treatment is to be applied.
Apply the chosen sealant via brushes and rollers ensuring the treatment absorbs into the surface and jointing between paving slabs..
Information on Patio Sealants
There are 3 main standards of sealants, which are are water based sealers, solvent based acrylic sealers and solvent based polyurethane sealers. Some of the sealants are available in matt and wet look gloss finish. Our technicians can advise you on the most suitable product for your project and can advise upon a tailored solution which considers the surface to to sealed, environmental considerations and the project budget.
Water Based Paving Sealer
Water based paving sealers contain resins that are mixed with water. They contain no solvents. They are simple to apply, relatively safe to use because there are no harmful fumes and they are very reasonable in price to buy. They give reasonable protection against harmful contaminates such as oil and dirt and are reasonable paving joint and sand stabilisers. some water based paving sealer use both polyurethane and acrylic resins.
Summary of water based paving sealer
Take longer to dry than solvent based sealers
Spillages can be easily cleaned with water
Not as penetrative into the surface as solvents
Cheaper to buy than solvent based paving sealer
Safer to use. No flammable liquids
Better for the environment
Can be applied with sprayer or roller & tray
The downside to water based sealers is that they take lot longer to dry and are not as penetrative into the paving joints and pores as solvent based sealers because they are not dissolved into the water, only blended.
Solvent Based Acrylic Paving Sealer
Solvent based acrylic paving sealers are one of the most popular choices of sealant to seal and protect block paving and printed concrete. They are relatively cheap to buy compared to polyurethane sealants. Acrylic resins are a softer type of resin than polyurethanes. They are mixed with solvents so they will penetrate deeper into the surface than a water based version of acrylic sealer. Because they are softer they usually need to be re-applied after 2-4 years.
Acrylic based sealers are good for keeping everyday dirt and grime off your paving and help keep the colour of your paving fresh and new looking. They are a good sealer if you are willing to re-apply every few years.
Summary of Acrylic paving sealer
Available in water based and solvent based
Best type of sealer for pattern imprinted concrete
Most popular sealer for block paving & PIC
Usually with a resin content of 20%
Needs re-applying every 2-3 years
Cost effective. Cheap to buy
Simple to apply and remove
Good matt properties
Aliphatic. Stops the suns UV rays from fading your paving
Apply with sprayer or roller and tray
Solvent Based Polyurethane Paving Sealer
Polyurethane is a harder resin than acrylic and as such, polyurethanes sealers will last longer when applied to paving. Polyurethane resins will not soften very easily so the best polyurethane sealers tend to be solvent based although water based ones are available. They are a very good sealer to stop oil penetrating the surface. Re-application is usually need after 4-6 years. Solvent based polyurethane paving sealers are the best kind of sealants if you want a gloss look because they will hold the gloss look very well and will not dull & fade with time.
Summary of polyurethane paving sealer
Available in water based and solvent based
Longer lasting than acrylics
Usually with a resin content of 20% or more
Holds a gloss look well with two coats
Expensive to buy
Can be difficult to remove
Simple one coat for a Matt finish 2 coats for gloss
Can be Aliphatic. Stop the suns UV rays from fading your paving
Apply with sprayer or roller & tray
Polyurethane paving sealers are easily the best type of sealer for use with block paving. Not only do they seal the block paving surface, they also stick the kiln dried sand particles together and also sticks the sand to the sides of the blocks. Therefore increasing the strength of the paving. Polyurethane sealer is more expensive to buy that other sealers because the resin is more expensive. It is longer lasting than acrylic sealers.
Two coats of polyurethane sealer is preferred to fully protect the surface against the contamination such as oil, diesel and petrol. Polyurethane resins are not easily dissolved again once they have dried so they give your paving great protection and are long-lasting.
All of the block paving sealers mentioned above will act as weed inhibitors by hardening the sand in the joints. Stopping weeds growing in the joints of block paved drives and patios is the biggest issue for most homeowners. Applying a highly protective block paving sealer will prolong the lifespan of your driveway or patio by slowing down deterioration of the surface. The block paving sealer also acts as a filter to harmful UV rays and prevents colour loss from the surface.
Paving sealers are suitable for all types of paved surfaces such as driveways, patios, paths, courtyards, shopping arcades and garage forecourts.
We are based in Great Kingshill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and service all surrounding locations within a 30 mile radius, including Prestwood. Great Missenden, Wendover, Princess Risborough, Aylesbury, Amersham, Chalfonts, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, Seer Green, Marlow, Henley, Windsor, We also service all boroughs of Outer and Central London.
Please click below to contact us for more information or if you require a free no obligation quote.