When Summer approaches, a lot of homeowners will take the opportunity of warmer and longer days to do some maintenance work on their patio.
A patio is a groundwork, usually placed in the back garden, made from concrete or gravel that lies adjacent to the house. A patio ideally needs to be annually cleaned and sealed to keep it looking tidy and dirt-free.
Our guide covers everything you need to know about cleaning and sealing patios, how much these services are likely to cost, what affects the cost of cleaning and sealing and how you can hire a professional to get the job done.
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How Much Does Patio Cleaning and Sealing Cost?
The table below breaks down the estimated costs for cleaning and sealing a patio.
| Patio Size | Estimated Average Cost | Estimated Labour Cost | Time Required | Estimated Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (15 square metres) | £175 | £70 | Three hours | £245 |
| Medium (30 square metres) | £250 | £95 | Five hours | £345 |
| Large (45 square metres) | £350 | £110 | Six hours | £460 |
You will be looking to pay between £200 – £400 to have a patio professionally cleaned – and possibly sealed – depending on its size.
When referring to patio cleaning, this generally involves jet washing or pressure washing a patio with professional machinery.
Sealing a patio is completed after the wash and involves paver sealant laid over the cleaned concrete and creating a physical barrier of protection from the elements, keeping the patio looking as fresh and bright as it did when it was first installed.
A patio of any size is subjected to all kinds of weather types, and this exposure can lead to a build-up of dirt and staining.
The cost for having a patio cleaned is dependent on several factors such as size, the condition and location of the patio. The table above breaks down the cost ranges for having a patio cleaned professionally.
There may be additional costs included for sealing a patio after cleaning, or it may be included in the total price. This will differ from tradesperson to tradesperson so if you do hire a professional you must find out what their services include and what may cost extra.
To make the process of hiring a tradesperson easier, let HouseholdQuotes help find a qualified professional near you to clean your patio.
Click To Get QuotesWhat Affects the Cost of Patio Cleaning and Sealing?
There are a few different factors that will impact the cost of having your patio professionally cleaned and sealed. The most common factors impacting pricing have been broken down below:
Patio Size
The larger the size of the patio, the longer the job will cost to complete and therefore the more expensive it will be. The table above looks at the difference in pricing between a small and large patio.
You can expect to pay between £150-£200 to have a small patio cleaned and sealed whereas a larger patio will cost you between £300-£400.
Patio Condition
If your patio has been left untended for quite some time and has accumulated a lot of dirt, weeds or moss, the labour involved in cleaning the patio will be more substantial, meaning the job is likely to cost more.
As labourers are likely to charge you an hourly rate, the more time they need to spend on your job, the more it will cost.
If your patio is in good condition and you’re looking for an annual clean to simply spruce it up before the warmer months arrive, then you can expect the cost to be cheaper.
Re-sanding
Depending on the type of patio surface and how well maintained the patio is, it may need to be re-sanded. Patio types typically include concrete, block paving and paving slabs as the most common materials used.
On average it will cost between £4-£6 per metre squared to have block paving cleaned and re-sanded but this will vary depending on the size and condition of the patio.
Block paving and paving slabs for a patio will likely need to be re-sanded after cleaning. Once the block paving or paving slabs have been cleaned with professional machinery, the sand joints – the lining of sand you can see between paving slabs, sometimes referred to as ‘the cracks’ – between paving may have been partially stripped by the force of the water.
Sand joints hold together the interlock between slabs which provides the friction to keep the entire structure together.
It is necessary to have block paving re-sanded after cleaning if the sand joints have been stripped as this could cause the blocks to come loose.
Patio Location
Where you live in the UK will impact the cost of having your patio cleaned and sealed.
If you are located in London, you can expect an increase of between £30-£50 for the overall job than if you are located in any of the Northern regions of the UK.
How Can I Save Money on Patio Cleaning?
The easiest way to save money on patio cleaning is to undertake the job yourself. If your patio is in relatively good condition with only a few spots that need to be cleaned, you can purchase a specialist cleaning product designed for the patio surface at your local DIY store.
This product will cost between £10 and £20 depending on the brand purchased and the type of surface.
You can also hire a pressure washer from £20-£100 per day, depending on the size of the washer, to tackle the entire patio yourself. However, pressure washers are powerful and depending on your type of patio could cause damage to the patio itself without specialised training.
If you opt to hire a pressure washer but choose the wrong equipment for it or the pressure provided by the washer is higher than needed, you could end up causing damage that will be expensive to repair and will cancel out the cheaper costs of hiring in the first place.
If you’re unsure about cleaning the patio yourself but still want to get rid of the muck and weeds soiling your patio, use HouseholdQuotes to find you a professional tradesperson to take on the task for you.
Click To Get QuotesCan You Pressure Wash Any Type of Patio?
You can pressure wash the majority of patio types but there are some things to bear in mind with each.
| Type of Patio | Can it be Pressure Washed? | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | Yes | These surfaces are strong and durable, so it is perfectly safe to pressure wash. |
| Imprinted/Patterned Concrete | Yes | Bear in mind, this pressure wash should only be carried out by a professional who will clean it at low pressure and possibly reseal the colour or imprint if needed. |
| Block Paving | Yes | You may need to look at re-sanding after the clean if the sanding joints have been partially removed. |
| Brick | Yes | The professional must be careful with the level of pressure applied. |
| Slate | Yes | The colour of the stone may be impacted after and need to be resealed. |
| Gravel | No | The loose gravel will fly up during impact and could cause property damage or injury. |
Do I Really Need to Seal My Patio?
The short answer is yes! Sealing your patio with a sealant protects the patio surface from the constant weather damage it will be subjected to outside.
Sealant can reinvigorate your patios colour and overall appeal as well as keeping the condition of your patio up to scratch. Homeowners will find a noticeable difference in the aesthetic of their patio if they choose to have it sealed.
The sealant will fade over time and it is recommended you reseal your patio every three to five years depending on the overall condition of the patio.
What’s Involved in Cleaning a Patio?
The patio will first need to be prepared for the clean. This preparation takes place by removing any debris, dust and dirt with a broom.
A degreaser will be put down to break down any stains you may have on your patio. If you’ve hired a pressure washer and it doesn’t have a degreaser you can also use a sturdy brush to scrub away as much of the stain as possible.
The pressure washer will then be prepared. The right nozzle must be used, and this can be checked in the instruction manual of the washer if you’re doing it yourself.
The pressure washer will be filled with detergent.
The water for the pressure washer will be supplied by the garden hose which will travel through to the spray wand.
Beginning at the highest point of the patio, the detergent will be sprayed back and forth and then left to soak into the patio for half an hour.
The detergent will then be rinsed with the high-pressure wand and this should also remove any stains on your patio.
Once the patio has been cleaned, it will need time to dry and once it has dried it can be sealed. The sealer will be applied evenly across the surface to prevent any future stains.
The patio should then be left for 24 hours to dry and you should avoid placing any furniture or décor on the patio at this point and minimise walking across it.
If you are cleaning the patio yourself, remember to wear the necessary protective gear to prevent injury. You should invest in some goggles, gloves and ear protection if necessary.
How Can I Find Someone to Clean and Seal My Patio?
Try and seek recommendations from your friends or family who have had their patio cleaned by a professional and were happy with the service provided.
Use HouseholdQuotes to find a qualified tradesperson to clean and seal your patio so that you can have a fresh, tidy looking patio!
Click To Get QuotesEnsuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
To make sure you’ve found the best person for the job, we recommend you ask them for the below:
- For a written quote. Make sure to find out if there is a minimum call-out charge.
- For their experience.
- For their references. If they’re able to provide you with references you can be sure of their ability and may even be able to see some of their previous work.
- If they and their tools are insured. This can protect you from lawsuits if they or your property is damaged when they come to your home.
Final Checklist
This checklist will make sure you’ve got everything you need before you begin the process of either hiring a professional or cleaning and sealing a patio yourself:
- Consider the size and condition of the patio. If you have a larger patio or a patio that with a build-up of dirt and weeds, expect to pay more if hiring a professional.
- If you want to cut costs, consider cleaning the patio yourself.
- If you don’t want to go down the DIY route, then use HouseholdQuotes to find a professional who can take on the job for you.
Click To Get QuotesFrequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Clean My Patio?
The beginning of Spring is a great time to wash your patio, as the weather will be warmer and so the patio will dry quickly.
What’s the Difference Between Pressure Washing, Jet Washing, and Power Washing?
Power washing used heated water whereas pressure washing does not.
A power washer should be used for tough stains on patios, such as mildew or grease which the heated water will break down. Power washing is powerful and recommended for concrete or cement patios that won’t incur damage.
How Do I Remove Stains From My Patio?
However, a more serious stain may need to be pressure washed away with a degreaser laid down beforehand for the detergent to remove the stain entirely.