Deep cleaning and re-sanding for block paving, slabs, resin and tarmac — lifting grime, moss and oil staining.
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Understanding how to care for your outdoor surfaces helps ensure long-lasting results without risking damage to your stonework. Below are detailed answers to the most common questions we receive regarding our patio and driveway restoration services.
Black spots are caused by lichens that root deep within the microscopic pores of natural stone and concrete surfaces. Standard high-pressure jet washers merely strip off the top surface, leaving the roots intact to regrow within months. At GES, we use specialized soft-washing chemical treatments combined with gentle low-pressure washing or steam. These biocide treatments penetrate deep into the stone pores, completely killing the organic spores and dissolving the black spots without damaging the delicate stone surface.
Uncontrolled high-pressure washing used by inexperienced operators can strip away soft surface layers of concrete, leave visible lines (scarring) on natural stone like Indian sandstone, and blow out fragile jointing mortar. To prevent this, we utilize professional flat-surface rotary cleaners that distribute pressure evenly, alongside variable-pressure steam systems. This allows us to lift ingrained dirt effectively while preserving the structural integrity of your stone and jointing.
Yes, re-sand services are an integral part of our block paving maintenance process. During the deep cleaning phase, dirty sand and weed roots are flushed out from between the block joints. Once the paving has completely dried out over a couple of fine days, we return to brush kiln-dried silica sand into every joint. This stabilizes the paving blocks, prevents shifting under vehicle weight, and creates a barrier against new weed infestation.
Absolute care is taken to protect your surrounding garden, landscaping, and pets throughout the cleaning process. Before applying any chemical soft-wash treatments, we thoroughly rinse down adjacent plants and grass with fresh water to prevent absorption. We also keep surrounding garden areas saturated during application. Once the cleaning process is complete and the treated surface has fully dried, it is completely safe for children, pets, and wildlife.
Because we apply deep biocidal soft-wash treatments that kill micro-spores down to the root, our results last significantly longer than standard water-only jet washing. On average, customers enjoy a pristine surface for 12 to 24 months, depending on shade, nearby tree coverage, and drainage. We also offer optional protective sealants and bi-annual maintenance rinses to keep organic growth away indefinitely.
Pressure washing relies exclusively on high mechanical water pressure (measured in PSI) to blast dirt away from hard surfaces. Soft washing, on the other hand, combines low water pressure with specialized, eco-friendly cleaning solutions to break down organic growth, algae, and atmospheric soot chemically. Soft washing is the preferred method for delicate natural stone, delicate pointing, and painted surfaces, whereas high-pressure or rotary washing is reserved for durable concrete and block paving surfaces.
While old, deeply embedded oil stains that have soaked into porous concrete can be difficult to erase completely, our specialized degreasers and hot-water steam units achieve remarkable results. We apply professional-grade emulsifying agents directly to oil spills and tire marks to break down the heavy hydrocarbons before lifting them away with high-temperature steam cleaning.
Our service vehicles come fully equipped with high-capacity equipment, but we typically require access to a standard outdoor garden tap to maintain a continuous water supply. In terms of power, most of our heavy-duty pressure washing and steam cleaning equipment is petrol or diesel-powered, meaning we operate fully self-sufficiently without drawing heavy electrical power from your home.
Most standard residential driveways or rear patios take between half a day to a full day to complete. Factors that influence the timeframe include the surface area, the type of stone, severity of weed or lichen infestation, and whether block paving re-sanding requires a secondary site visit after drying. We provide a clear timeline during your initial quote.
Pricing depends on several key variables, including total square footage, surface material (e.g., block paving vs. Indian sandstone vs. resin-bound driveways), current condition, and required treatments (such as black spot removal or joint re-sanding). We offer completely free, no-obligation on-site or remote digital assessments to give you an accurate, fixed-price quote with no hidden extras.
Over time, external ground surfaces endure heavy foot traffic, vehicular tire marks, seasonal leaf drop, and constant exposure to moisture. This environment creates the ideal breeding ground for black lichen spots, moss infestation, slippery green algae, and ingrained carbon grime. At GES Exterior Cleaning, we combine industrial rotary surface cleaners with specialized soft washing and high-temperature steam treatment to revitalize your outdoor surfaces without destroying delicate natural stone or blowing out block paving kiln-dried sand.
Maintaining your outdoor stone, block paving, and concrete surfaces requires more than an off-the-shelf pressure washer. Professional maintenance preserves your property’s value, protects expensive stone installations, and ensures outdoor areas remain safe and usable year-round.
Your driveway and entrance pathways are the first things visitors and neighbors notice. Removing years of dull grey atmospheric grime and dark algae stains immediately refreshes your property's exterior, significantly boosting overall kerb appeal and market value.
Wet moss, green algae, and bio-films turn patios and block paving into extremely slick, hazardous surfaces during autumn and winter months. Deep cleaning removes these dangerous organic layers, providing a slip-resistant surface for your family and guests.
Left untreated, weeds, moss roots, and lichen acids slowly eat into stone pores and break down the mortar or sand joints between pavers. Professional treatments stop structural degradation before costly repairs or total repaving become necessary.
Unlike surface algae, black spot lichen embeds deep into stone pores and cannot be removed by standard water pressure alone. We utilize targeted, eco-friendly soft wash treatments to completely dissolve lichen roots and restore true stone colour.
Blast washing with excessive pressure can erode concrete coatings, strip natural stone color, and hollow out bedding mortar. Our balanced combination of heat, regulated pressure, and gentle biocide protects delicate hardscaping materials.
For block paving installations, cleaning is only half the job. Once fully dried, we replenish lost jointing sand with premium kiln-dried silica sand, re-stabilizing the pavers to prevent structural movement and impede future weed growth.
From Epsom and Ewell to Cheam, Banstead and Kingston upon Thames, GES has built its reputation one property at a time — through careful workmanship, clear communication and results customers are happy to recommend.
Based in Stoneleigh near Epsom, we provide patio and driveway cleaning throughout Surrey — including Sutton, Cheam, Kingston, Leatherhead, Reigate and Guildford — as well as South West London and the wider South East. If your property is nearby but not listed, get in touch — we’ll happily confirm whether we cover you.
Speak to Mike and the GES team to arrange your free site survey anywhere in Surrey — from Epsom and Stoneleigh to Wimbledon and Guildford. We’ll recommend the right approach for your surfaces and provide a clear, no-obligation quote.
Free site survey. Clear pricing. No obligation.
No obligation. We only use your details to prepare your quote.
