Safer underfoot
Removing algae and moss takes the slipperiness out of paving and steps.
Patio and driveway jet washingin Kenilworth and across Warwickshirewith the joints put back properly
Green, black-streaked paving brought back to its actual colour, then joints re-sanded or re-pointed where they need it, so the surface is finished rather than just clean.
Free quote within 48 hours · Usually a one-day job
10 years in the trade
5 of them running SOS Landscaping
Checkatrade approved
CHAS accredited
Fixed price on ~95% of jobs
Agreed before we start
Quotes within 48 hours
Same or next day locally
Landscapers, not just cleaners
We can also fix what the wash reveals
Service overview
What professional jet washing involves
Cleaning paving properly is a two-part job. The first part is lifting the algae, moss, lichen, black spot staining and general grime that build up on stone, concrete and block paving in a damp Warwickshire winter. The second part: the one most people skip, is putting the joints back. High-pressure water inevitably removes jointing sand and loose pointing, and paving left with empty joints will move, spread and grow weeds faster than before it was cleaned.
We wash patios, paths, steps, driveways, block paving, natural stone, porcelain, concrete and decking, then re-sand block paving with kiln-dried sand or re-point slab joints where the mortar has gone. Pressure and technique are matched to the surface, because the same setting that is right on concrete will scar softer stone.
It suits paving that has gone green and slippery, a driveway with weeds through the joints, a patio you have stopped using because it looks tired, and any property being prepared for sale, letting or a family event. It is also the cheapest way to find out whether paving genuinely needs replacing or just needs cleaning.
Bringing in a landscaper rather than a cleaner has a practical advantage: once the surface is clean, any cracked slabs, failed pointing or sunken areas are visible, and we can price putting them right rather than leaving you to find someone else.
Why it matters
What happens if paving is left dirty, or washed badly
Organic growth on paving is a safety issue before it is a cosmetic one. Algae and moss make a hard surface genuinely slippery in wet and frosty weather, and steps and shaded paths are exactly where people slip. Moss also holds water in the joints, which speeds up frost damage.
Weeds and moss in joints do slow structural harm. Roots widen joints, jointing material washes out, block paving starts to spread and rock, and water gets under the surface where it can move the bedding. Left long enough, a cleanable patio becomes one that needs lifting and relaying.
Bad washing causes its own damage. Too much pressure, or a lance held too close, will erode the face of soft sandstone, strip the surface off concrete blocks and blast the pointing out of mortar joints entirely. Cleaning without re-jointing afterwards leaves the paving less stable than it was, which is why we treat re-sanding and pointing as part of the job, not an upsell.
Mistakes we are called out to fix
- Too much pressure for the stoneSoft sandstone and concrete blocks scar permanently.
- Not re-jointing afterwardsEmpty joints let blocks spread and weeds return quickly.
- Washing dirt into the houseNo thought for where the slurry and water run.
- Ignoring the causePermanently shaded, poorly draining paving will green up again fastest.
- Sealing over a damp surfaceTrapped moisture causes blooming and patchy finishes.
Our process
From first call to finished work
- Step 1
Look at the surface
Guy identifies the material, checks the condition of the joints and pointing and looks for cracked or sunken areas, then confirms water access and where run-off will go.
- Step 2
Free quote
A written price for the wash and any re-sanding or re-pointing, usually the same or next day locally and inside 48 hours at the latest.
- Step 3
Prepare and protect
Furniture and pots moved, weeds and heavy moss removed, planting and doorways considered before any water goes on the surface.
- Step 4
Wash to the right pressure
Surface washed methodically at a pressure and technique matched to the material, working in sections so nothing is left half-done or streaked.
- Step 5
Re-joint, rinse down and check
Block paving re-sanded, slab joints re-pointed where needed, slurry rinsed off walls and paths, everything put back, and a walk-round with you.
What you get
The difference it makes in your garden
Colour back, instantly
Most paving looks years newer within hours: no materials to buy.
Stops the slow damage
Re-jointed paving resists spreading, weed growth and washed-out bedding.
Cheapest possible upgrade
Often the difference between a patio you avoid and one you use again.
Honest verdict on the paving
Once it is clean you can see whether it needs replacing or just maintaining.
Sale and letting ready
Clean paving and a tidy drive change the first impression of a property.
In detail
Materials, methods and where jet washing apply
Surfaces and the right approach for each
Indian sandstone and other natural stone respond well to washing but must be treated with respect: moderate pressure, a consistent sweep and no lingering in one spot, or the riven face gets scarred. Porcelain is the easiest surface of the lot: dense, non-porous and quick to clean. Concrete slabs and imprinted concrete need care because the top layer is what carries the colour.
Block paving is the surface where the aftercare matters most. Washing always removes jointing sand, so it has to be replaced with kiln-dried sand and brushed in properly, otherwise blocks loosen and weeds return within weeks. Tarmac needs low pressure only. Decking cleans up well at modest pressure, working along the grain rather than across it.
- Natural stone and sandstoneModerate pressure, then re-point failed mortar joints.
- Block pavingWash, remove weeds, then re-sand with kiln-dried sand.
- PorcelainQuick, low-risk cleaning with excellent results.
- Concrete and imprinted concreteCareful pressure to protect the surface layer.
- Decking and stepsCleaned along the grain, with extra care on slip-prone areas.
Method and what the wash reveals
Work starts dry: furniture and pots moved, established weeds pulled or scraped out of joints, and heavy moss removed so the water is cleaning stone rather than pushing vegetation around. We then plan where the water and slurry will run: away from doorways, air bricks and freshly planted beds, not into them.
Washing is done in sections with an even overlap so there are no tiger stripes left behind, using a rotary surface cleaner on large flat areas where it gives a more consistent result than a lance alone. Detail work around edges, steps and thresholds is done by lance afterwards.
Once the surface is clean, the truth comes out: cracked slabs, hollow-sounding paving, sunken corners, open joints and failed pointing. Because we build patios as well as clean them, we can price repairs, re-pointing or a relay on the same visit, and where paving is genuinely finished, Guy will tell you plainly rather than sell you another wash next year.
Keeping paving clean for longer
How quickly paving greens up again depends mostly on light and drainage. North-facing, tree-shaded and permanently damp areas will always regrow fastest, and no amount of pressure changes that. Improving drainage, cutting back overhanging planting to let light and air in, and keeping joints properly filled all extend the interval between cleans considerably.
For most gardens around Kenilworth and Coventry, an annual or biennial clean keeps things comfortable, ideally in spring once the worst of the winter growth has taken hold. Driveways used daily by vehicles tend to need attention on a similar cycle, mainly for oil marking and weed growth in the joints.
The same service applies to commercial frontages, pub and cafe seating and rental properties, where the priorities are usually slip resistance and appearance to customers rather than a perfect finish. In every case, the joints get put back before we leave.
Where we work
Jet washing across Kenilworth and Warwickshire
Based at 24 Common Lane, Kenilworth. Local work gets priced fastest: often the same day. Just outside these areas? It is still worth a call.
Related work
See all services, read about Guy Finch, our Kenilworth landscaper or check the landscaping areas covered in Warwickshire.
Common questions
Jet washing: straight answers
How much does jet washing a patio or driveway cost?
It depends on the area, the surface, how much growth there is and whether joints need re-sanding or re-pointing. Guy prices it after a look, and around 95% of our work is quoted as a fixed price in writing.
How long does it take?
Most domestic patios and driveways are a single-day job, including re-sanding. Larger or heavily overgrown areas can take longer, and that will be in the quote.
Will jet washing damage my paving?
Not when the pressure and technique match the material. Soft sandstone, concrete blocks and tarmac all need a different approach, which is exactly why the surface is identified before any water goes near it.
Do you replace the sand in block paving afterwards?
Yes. Washing always removes jointing sand, so block paving is re-sanded with kiln-dried sand and brushed in. Leaving joints empty is what causes blocks to loosen and weeds to come straight back.
How often should paving be cleaned?
Most gardens benefit from a clean every one to two years. Shaded, damp and north-facing areas green up faster, so they may want it annually.
Can you get rid of black spot and oil stains?
Black spot lichen is stubborn and does not always come off completely with water alone; oil marks on block paving may lighten rather than vanish. Guy will give you a realistic expectation before you commit rather than overpromise.
Do you seal paving afterwards?
Sealing is a separate decision and is only worth doing on a genuinely clean, dry surface. Guy will talk through whether it is worthwhile for your paving or simply an extra cost.
What if the wash uncovers cracked or sunken slabs?
That is where being a landscaper helps. We can price re-pointing, replacing individual slabs or relaying an area, and give you an honest view on whether the paving is worth keeping.
Do you need to use my water and power?
Usually an outside tap and a socket are all that is needed, which Guy will confirm at the quote so there are no surprises on the day.
Do you jet wash in Leamington, Coventry and Knowle?
Yes. Kenilworth, Leamington, Warwick, Coventry, Balsall Common, Chadwick End, Knowle, Earlsdon and Leek Wootton are all areas we cover.
Free quote
See your paving's real colour again
Send Guy a photo and the rough size of the area. You will get a free fixed-price quote for the wash and the re-jointing, usually within 48 hours.
Prefer to talk it through?
07466 254430finchfinishings@gmail.com
Hours: 7:00am – 6:00pm
Free quotes · Fixed prices · Checkatrade approved · CHAS accredited