Question 1

Is pressure washing safe for every surface?

Accepted Answer

No. It suits concrete, most block paving, concrete slabs and porcelain well. It needs care on sandstone, limestone and older riven stone, and it is not appropriate at all for some surfaces — soft or perished render, certain resin systems, painted timber decking and anything already breaking up. The correct question is never how much pressure, but what this material can take.

Question 2

Can pressure washing damage paving?

Accepted Answer

It can, in three ways: eroding the face of soft stone, stripping jointing sand deeper than needed so blocks lose interlock, and lifting slabs or blocks that were already loose or hollow. All three are avoidable by checking the surface first and matching pressure and nozzle to the material.

Question 3

What happens if the paving is already cracked?

Accepted Answer

Cracks, hollow slabs and failed pointing get flagged before cleaning starts. Water finds every weakness, so a cracked slab may move, and loose pointing may wash out. We work more carefully around those areas, but cleaning will not hide existing damage — if anything it shows it more clearly once the dirt has gone.

Question 4

Can you clean during winter?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning itself is possible in cool weather as long as it is not freezing and the surface is not icy. Drying-dependent work is the problem: re-sanding needs dry joints and sealing needs a properly dry surface and a dry spell after. In a Suffolk winter that often means splitting the job across visits.

Question 5

Does block paving need re-sanding afterwards?

Accepted Answer

In almost all cases, yes. Cleaning removes the old jointing sand along with the moss and weed roots living in it. Fresh kiln-dried sand brushed into dry joints restores the interlock between blocks and slows regrowth.

Question 6

Can you remove black spot?

Accepted Answer

Often it can be greatly improved and frequently cleared, but it takes an appropriate treatment and time rather than pressure. Black spot is lichen anchored into the pores of the stone. On old, heavily colonised sandstone, treat substantial improvement as the realistic outcome and a full clear as a bonus.

Question 7

Can sandstone be cleaned?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with restraint. Lower pressure, a wider fan pattern and even passes. Cleaned too aggressively, sandstone loses its surface skin, becomes more porous and re-soils faster than before — a short-term win that costs you later.

Question 8

Can resin-bound driveways be pressure washed?

Accepted Answer

Some can, at low pressure and with care. It depends on the resin system, how well it was installed and its current condition. Where the surface is already fretting or losing stone, cleaning can make it worse — in that situation we would tell you rather than take the job.

Question 9

Does a clean surface stay clean permanently?

Accepted Answer

No. Algae and moss are living things that return wherever there is moisture and shade. A drive in full sun with good drainage may look good for years; a north-facing patio under a tree will green up again within a season or two. Anyone promising permanence is selling something else.

Question 10

What is soft washing?

Accepted Answer

Soft washing means applying a cleaning solution at low pressure, letting it do the work on organic growth, then rinsing gently. It relies on chemistry and dwell time rather than force, which is why it suits delicate surfaces.

Question 11

Pressure washing vs soft washing — which is right?

Accepted Answer

Pressure washing is right for hard-wearing horizontal surfaces with real build-up: concrete, block paving, hard-standing. Soft washing suits delicate or vertical surfaces and biological growth where force would cause damage. Plenty of jobs use both — a pre-treatment on the growth, then a controlled clean of the hard surfaces.

Question 12

Should a driveway be sealed?

Accepted Answer

Only if it suits the surface and you want what sealing offers: less absorption, easier future cleaning, some colour lift, and help holding jointing sand depending on the product. It is not a requirement, some paving is unsuitable, and it should only be done once the surface is clean and suitably dry.

Question 13

Can weeds be removed permanently?

Accepted Answer

No. Cleaning clears existing growth and much of the root in the joints, and full joints slow the return considerably. But airborne seed lands on every outdoor surface, so the honest answer is long-term reduction with occasional maintenance.

Question 14

What happens to loose dirt and debris?

Accepted Answer

It gets flushed off the surface, collected and cleared rather than left in a ridge along the edge of the paving or pushed straight into a gully. Fine silt is the messy part of the job and it should not be your problem afterwards.

Question 15

Will water splash walls or doors?

Accepted Answer

Some spray and splashing is unavoidable when cleaning close to a wall or threshold, though technique keeps it to a minimum. Windows and doors are best closed, and anything you would rather stayed dry should be moved or mentioned.

Question 16

Do I need an outside tap?

Accepted Answer

An outside tap is the simplest option and covers most domestic jobs. If there is no tap, say so at quote stage — an alternative water supply can usually be arranged, but it needs planning rather than discovering on the day.

Question 17

Do I need to move vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The area being cleaned needs to be completely clear, and vehicles should stay off freshly re-sanded paving for a few hours. If parking is difficult, we can work in sections.

Question 18

Do I need to move plant pots and furniture?

Accepted Answer

Where possible, yes — pots, furniture, doormats, toys and anything fragile. If moving heavy items is not practical, leave them and let us know; we will work around them and you will know those spots are not cleaned underneath.

Question 19

How long does the area take to dry?

Accepted Answer

Surface water clears quickly in decent weather, but joints and porous stone hold moisture much longer. Walking on it is usually fine straight away. Anything that depends on dryness — re-sanding, sealing — waits until it genuinely is dry.

Question 20

What should I ask before choosing a pressure washing company?

Accepted Answer

Ask what they think your surface is made of and how that changes their method. Ask whether re-sanding is included or extra, and how they decide. Ask what they expect will not come off. Ask where the dirty water and silt will go. Ask whether they carry public liability insurance. Clear answers to those five questions tell you most of what you need to know.

Question 21

Why do quotes vary so much?

Accepted Answer

Because they often cover different work. One price may be a quick surface blast; another may include clearing the joints, a treatment for lichen, debris removal and re-sanding. Compare what is actually being done, not just the number.

Question 22

Should I expect a fixed price from a photo?

Accepted Answer

A photo plus a rough size gets you a realistic quote for most drives and patios. Where access, drainage, surface condition or the extent of staining is unclear, it is better to look in person than to guess and revise the price later.

Before You Decide

Safety & suitability

Materials & marks

Method & alternatives

On the day

Choosing who does the work

Related work

Still unsure what your surface needs?