Your patio is exposed to the elements all year round. Unlike your favourite garden furniture—which you can protect with a cover—your patio doesn’t get that luxury. It’s constantly weathering the effects of rain, falling leaves, dirty shoes and changing seasons.
And over time, this exposure takes its toll.
What’s Making Your Patio Look Tired?
- Lichen spores carried by the wind take root and form those stubborn black spots.
- Green algae thrive during wet weather, making surfaces slippery and unsafe.
- Dust, dirt, and debris settle into every groove and joint, dulling the natural beauty of your stonework.
If you’ve invested in beautiful paving for your garden, it’s incredibly frustrating to watch it lose its natural colour and texture. And pressure washing alone? Often not enough—and sometimes harmful.
So, how do you keep your patio clean?
Let’s face it—your patio won’t stay pristine forever without a little help. Just like any other part of your home, regular maintenance is key to preserving its look, safety, and value. In fact, giving your patio a little attention once a year can make all the difference. Becoming patio-savvy isn’t complicated. By understanding:
- What grows and when (like green algae in winter and black lichen in spring),
- Which treatments are safe for your stone type, and
- What not to use (like overly aggressive pressure washing on delicate stone),
You’ll soon become an expert in patio care—without needing to call in a professional every time.
Why does my patio go green and slippery?
If you’ve noticed your patio, path, or driveway developing a green, slippery film—especially after winter—you’re not alone. Green algae is one of the most common issues for outdoor paving in the UK, and it’s more than just an eyesore. It can also make surfaces dangerously slippery underfoot.
Why does green algae grow on my paving?
Algae thrive in damp, shaded environments. After periods of wet weather or later in the year when summer is over, paving areas often remain wetter, for longer, especially if they’re not exposed to much sunlight. Combine that with organic debris like leaves or soil from garden pots, and you’ve got the perfect breeding ground for algae.
Why do I have black spots on my patio?
These unsightly marks are actually black lichen, a tough organic growth that’s incredibly difficult to remove. Once they land on your stonework, they anchor into the surface and begin to feed off the minerals within the stone itself. Over time, they take over your paving and are impossible to shift with a pressure washer.
How to Deal With It (and Prevent It)
With the right products and routine, you can restore your patio’s appearance, protect your investment, and enjoy a garden that stays looking its best, year-round—without endless scrubbing.
While pressure washing might remove surface algae temporarily, it doesn’t treat the root cause. In fact, frequent pressure washing can damage porous surfaces, making algae come back quicker.
The better approach? Use a dedicated outdoor cleaner and tackle algae without damaging your paving.
Explore our proven Patio Black Spot Removal System and see why thousands trust us to bring their outdoor spaces back to life.
The solution to patio cleaning
With Patio Black Spot Remover, you’ll start to see your patio’s natural colour restored and algae removed in just 15 minutes of application. That’s right—just one application and your stonework begins to transform before your eyes.
For best results, we recommend leaving the product on for two hours. During that time, the formula gets to work deep within the stone, lifting and breaking down black lichen before you’ve even set the pressure washer up.
Forget hours of blasting and brushing. Patio Black Spot Remover takes care of the heavy lifting so you can gently wash the product away afterwards. Enjoy a cleaner, brighter patio with less effort and better results.
How do I prevent stains and spots on my patio?
To maintain a spotless finish year-round, the Patio Black Spot Preventer should be applied annually. Not only does it prevent the return of black lichen, but it also removes algae within a few days—without the need for pressure washing.
How a Clean Patio Can Brighten Your Whole Home
We regularly hear from customers who are amazed by the transformation after using Patio Black Spot Remover—and not just in their patios!
One of the most common pieces of feedback? “My whole house looks brighter!”
That’s because restoring your patio’s natural colour doesn’t just improve the garden—it reflects light, especially when the paving is clean and free of black spots or algae. The result? Sunlight bounces off the patio surface and streams into your home, making indoor spaces feel lighter, fresher, and more inviting.
And let’s not forget the bonus… “Even our neighbours were jealous!”
What’s easier to clean, smooth or riven paving?
Sawn paving is made by cutting stone slabs with precision machinery. The result is a clean, smooth finish with sharp edges and a contemporary look. Often used with sandstone, granite, and limestone. Sawn paving is ideal for modern gardens and minimalist spaces.
Although sawn sandstone looks sleek and polished, the sawing process opens up the pores of the stone. These tiny openings absorb water, dirt, algae and lichen more easily than riven sandstone. The smoother the surface, the more visible the staining can appear.
Riven paving is a more traditional option giving each slab a textured rustic variation. This texture stops the patio from being slippery in the winter. It’s not only cheaper but easier to maintain throughout the year.
If you’re after a clean, modern aesthetic with crisp lines and a premium feel, sawn paving is the way to go. But if you love character, charm, and a more natural look, riven paving offers warmth and texture that only Mother Nature can provide.
Need help deciding or want professional advice on patio maintenance? Contact Patio Black Spot Removal today or explore our full range of patio cleaning and maintenance solutions.
Call 0800 500 3032 or visit Patioblackspotremoval.com to learn more.
