Last Updated on October 25, 2026 by Royal Stone Care
Summer may finally be here, but unfortunately the months of cold won’t vanish without trace. When it comes to your patio, for example, months of rain and wind and maybe even snow will all have taken their toll by the time temperatures rise again. So a little effort made early on in the season really pays off.
To make the most of your outside space for barbecues, other entertaining and general relaxation, you need to do a fairly extensive post-winter clean-up. But this doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect. Just choose a day of strong sunlight and take a minute to evaluate what needs to be done.
A natural stone patio provides an authentic, long-lasting and smart-looking outdoor surface which ages gracefully and enhances the value of your property. What’s more, you get excellent traction due to the rough surface, so natural stone is extremely safe. But, like anything else, it needs the right maintenance and upkeep to stay looking its best.
What is the best time of year for patio jet washing?
In early spring, temperatures are generally pretty mild, so water will dry quickly, and wet paving won’t ice over. Cleaning at this time of years shifts moss, algae, lichen and grime which accumulate over the colder months. At the same time, you’ll be ready to enjoy your outdoor space and entertain family and friends if you want to, come the warmer weather.
In September and October, you can clear away reside that’s built up over the summer, although the results may not endure all winter.
In the summer, if you’re hosting a gathering and want a quick clean-up in advance, you can do that. But avoid washing on the hottest days,. The sun may dry out water and cleaning agents too quickly, causing streaking.
During icy conditions, for example during December or January, don’t wash your patio or other outdoor area. Trapped water in the stone or paving joints could split and crack or even dislodge the stone slabs.
Clean patio furniture
If your outdoor furniture has been stored inside over the winter, it will just need a quick wipe down. But if you’ve kept it outside, it will need more attention. That is where jet washing really comes into its own.
It’s also time to bring your cushions out of storage, freshen them up with a clean if you can and make sure they’ve not been affected by mildew over the winter. If replacing, think modern prints in vibrant colours.
Equally, now could be a good chance to give any children’s outdoor play items a good clean.
A clean sweep
Spider webs, leaves and other debris should be removed with a thorough sweeping of the patio area, removing plant pots and any furniture first.
Finally, don’t forget to clean up plant pots and to give the barbecue a thorough de-grease too.
Benefits of pressure washing
Patio jet washing, essentially the same thing as pressure washing, involves using a stream of water at high pressure to get rid of dirt, grime, algae, moss and so on from garden-paving slabs, block paving and stone patios.
For its part, power washing uses hot water at high pressure to shift heavy-duty grease or oil and stubborn industrial stains.
Whether it’s the furniture or stones of your patio that need a good blasting, pressure washing can really help deal with the ravages of winter. And jet washing is quick, easy, effective and environmentally friendly way to clean patio.
Thanks to pressure washing services, you can quickly get rid of dirt, oil, mould and weeds that can build up, especially over the winter.
Can natural stone withstand pressure washing?
Yes it can, although you need to ensure you wash at the right pressure using the right technique. Otherwise, you risk damaging the stone’s surface.
With tougher stones such as granite, high pressure is less likely to be a problem. But with a softer, more porous surface such as limestone, etching and similar damage can potentially occur. So you may want to consider steam-cleaning or a gentler washing method for these materials.
Best practices for pressure washing stone
- Test first: Test a small, unobtrusive patch of the stone before working on the area more widely.
- Choose the right cleaning products: Use pH-neutral or biodegradable cleaners instead of strong acids or vinegar, which may etch limestone and harm your stone permanently.
- Use the correct nozzle: Use a nozzle with a wide-angle fan (25° or wider). Avoid narrow pencil-jet or turbo/rotary nozzles, which can affect the layers of the stone.
- Get the pressure right: Go for low-to-moderate pressure (typically less than 1,500 to 2,000 PSI).
- Keep your distance: Hold the wand a minimum of 30cm away from the surface.
- Protect the joints: High pressure can blast out sand or mortar from between the stone slabs, destabilising your patio. So don’t point the jet directly at these joints.
- Don’t use pressure washing to clear weeds: Use a weedkiller and repoint any damaged gaps in the stone rather than blasting them. Jet washing can harm delicate jointing sand and crack weak mortar.
- Consider sealing: Once your stone has dried out, apply a water-based sealant to ward off staining in the future.
Pressure washing from Royal Stone Care
If you’re in the city and looking for pressure washing London has a number of providers. But at Royal Stone Care, we have extensive experience providing jet washing services across the capital in a variety of settings, and can come up with the best plan for your needs.
Talk to us today about jet washing in London or patio cleaning and we’ll help you have your garden looking its best, all ready for barbecue season.
