Patio Cleaning Cost
Last updated 20th May, 2025
Want to know more about patio cleaning?
This article delves into the best options for patio pressure washing. We explore pressure washer cleaning, how much an industrial patio cleaner costs as well as the labour fees for professional patio cleaning services.
Patio cleaning prices depend predominantly on the size of the area to be cleaned. We'll look into how quotes typically vary with size, but also explore the prospect of a DIY patio clean.
Continue reading below!
How Much to Jet Wash a Patio?
A good pressure washer can make short work of cleaning your patio and help to stop them looking grainy and becoming slippery to walk on full stop paths and patios can, of course, be cleaned using a scrubbing brush and a hose, but a pressure washer is much quicker.
Prices for good pressure washers have reduced considerably in recent years so it is now feasible for homeowners with large drives or patio areas to have access to their own pressure washers for cleaning.
However, professional pressure washers are much more powerful and effective. Therefore, many homeowners will simply hire local patio cleaning services to come in every year or so to do the pressure washing for them.
Cleaning a driveway or patio properly using a pressure washer will remove algae, weeds and stains. Once the area has been pressure washed and is completely cleaned and dry, joints can then be refilled using kiln-dried sand if necessary and a driveway sealing product can then be used for protection.
When having your driveway or patio areas cleaned you may also want to consider cleaning other areas at the same time.
The companies which offer driveway and patio cleaning will normally offer other brick and masonry cleaning services such as any walls which are adjacent to the driveway, which will finish the job off nicely and avoid having a lovely clean drive which looks brand new being bordered by grubby and grimy walls!
So, can I do it myself?
When cleaning a drive or patio yourself using a hose you need to make sure the hose is securely attached to the tap and be prepared for a lot of hard work! Using a pressure washer purchased from a local DIY store makes the job much easier, but unless you are willing to spend a fortune, the pressure washer you buy will not be anywhere near as powerful as the systems used by professionals.
But as long as the grime and dirt are pretty superficial, the DIY solution can be quite effective. But for seriously ingrained dirt and major algae or moss problems, get a professional in with a heavy duty system and all the right chemicals to make a good job of it in a fraction of the time it would take you with a cheap pressure washer and over the counter cleaning supplies.
When using a pressure washer make sure you fit the appropriate lance and ensure all connectors are tight and there are no leaks. Follow the manufacturers instructions carefully and wear goggles for eye protection. Clean by working from one corner blasting the grime away in a sweeping motion, use detergent and biocide as necessary and then rinse off using a lower water pressure.
If you can afford it, choose a pressure washer with variable power settings so you can clean different surfaces without causing any damage. Also, it is worth paying extra for a washer with a long hose so you don't have to keep moving it as you clean.
Using a broom or garden hose is the safest way to clean drives and patio areas, but in the case of oil stains, ingrained grime, algae or mould growth, a broom alone will not be enough. But power washing, though a fast way to clean hard surfaces, can cause significant damage to concrete bricks or paving if carried out by an inexperienced user.
Turning on a pressure washer, aiming and pulling the trigger is pretty simple, so everyone assumes that is all there is to it!
Pressure washers are powerful machines which can cause property damage and even serious injuries!
If you use a pressure washer but choose the wrong nozzle or use higher pressure than is required, you could end up causing some expensive damage which will completely wipe out any possible savings you hoped to make by going the DIY route!
When to Clean Your Patio
It’s worth jet washing your patio at least once a year, with late spring often considered the ideal time of season (providing it’s dry and sunny). Although this can vary depending on the climate, how often your patio is in use and the type of materials that need cleaning.
However, if it’s raining or damp, then you may not get the best results, so remember to check the weather before plugging in your pressure washer.
As for hiring a professional to do the job, jet washing services tend to get busier and harder to book in the summer. So, again think of getting ready for the warmer months ahead rather than leaving it to the last minute.
Cleaning Your Decking
Along with the patio slabs themselves, if you have any wooden decking, it’s just as important to clean this area regularly too. Jet washing your decking will not only help maintain the timber, but will stop it from becoming discoloured and less attractive.
By the same concerns as the rest of the patio, wooden panels can easily attract dirt from garden soil and general use. Over time the decking could be exposed to gathering mould, which will also result in becoming slippery and therefore a potential hazard.
Depending on the size of your garden, it may cost a little extra to keep under control but regular power washing can have the power to prolong your decking’s lifespan.
Patio Cleaning Prices
In terms of material costs, there aren't any as the tradesman will provide this themselves. Usually they will need to use your water supply but any chemicals and tools will be brought with them. These materials are not too costly and will be factored into the overall price.
The average specialist will usually charge around £100 to £150 per day and will take anywhere from 4 to 12 hours to jet wash a patio depending on the size, and whether or not it needs resanding or sealing.
Below are some estimated costs to have your patio pressure washed:
| Job Description | Avg. Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Small Patio | £150 - £200 | 3-4 hours |
| Medium Patio | £200 - £300 | 5-6 hours |
| Large Patio | £300 - £400 | 7-8 hours |
Patio Cleaning Cost Breakdown Calculator
Individual costs of cleaning a medium sized patio:
Total Cost: £200
Materials
£50
Tradesmen
£150
Waste Removal
£0
Benefits of Patio Cleaning
Over time, everyday use and weather effects will take the shine off your patio. You'd be surprised at the impact this has on your property as a whole; you'll really notice the difference after a good clean! So here are the main benefits of cleaning a patio:
Safety
Safety first! Dirty patios can become slippery when wet, made worse by moss and algae that will inevitably begin to appear on neglected outdoor surfaces. A good clean will deal with these issues right away and ensure that nobody takes a nasty tumble.
Aesthetics
Since the staining and discolouration of outdoor surfaces happens gradually, you often don't notice how dramatically things have changed until you fix them up. And that's when you realise what a difference it makes to the overall look of your property to have a lovely, bright, inviting patio to complement the rest of your home and garden.
Patio Lifespan
When left unchecked, contaminants and weeds will begin to permanently discolour and physically damage your patio, which might mean part or all of it needs to be replaced. Proper cleaning will eliminate these threats and keep your patio in its prime!
General Garden Maintenance
It’s not just your patio or driveway that may require cleaning with a pressure washer - your garden paths also require the attention. Weeds and debris can easily build up, requiring the same amount of care to keep pathways clean and tidy.
On average, gardeners tend to charge around £10 to £50 per hour for general garden maintenance, although there are a number of factors to consider. Prices can vary depending on the size and location of your garden, along with any specific jobs that may need doing.
Once you've taken into consideration the cost of patio cleaning and pressure washed your driveway, it's also the perfect opportunity to think about other aspects of your garden. Maintaining a healthy lawn can be just as important, especially as you prepare to spend time outdoors during the warmer months. The average cost of a basic lawn treatment starts from around £15 or can reach up to around £180 for larger areas that require more attention.
