Jet Washing & Pressure Washing

A Driveway You Can Be Proud of Again

There is a particular satisfaction to jet washing. A driveway that looked tired and grey on Friday afternoon can look completely new by Saturday lunchtime. Block paving that you assumed was permanently dark turns out to be a much paler colour underneath the years of accumulated grime. Patio slabs that have gone slick and dangerous with algae become safe to walk on in winter again. We have been jet washing across Middlesbrough for over a decade, and we still get a small thrill each time a bit of the front drive goes from grey to honey-yellow under the lance.

The jet wash itself is the easy bit. The skill is in knowing how much pressure to use on which surface, when to use a flat-surface cleaner and when to switch to a turbo nozzle, when to apply chemical treatment to kill the moss before pressure washing, and when to stop because the substrate is starting to suffer. It is also in the finishing — sweeping fresh kiln-dried sand into the joints of block paving, treating the whole area with a moss inhibitor, and tidying up the splashed silt from walls and adjacent flowerbeds.

Surfaces We Clean

We jet wash every kind of paved and decked surface, but each behaves differently. Block paving is hard-wearing but the joints lose their sand and the blocks themselves attract moss; a treatment, wash and re-sand is the right approach. Indian sandstone is beautiful but porous and softer than concrete; it needs a more careful pressure setting and we strongly recommend a sealing treatment after washing to keep it looking good. Imprinted concrete needs even more care, because the printed pattern is only a couple of millimetres deep and aggressive pressure washing can lift it. Wood decking is softer still, and the wash needs to follow the grain, never across it. Rendered walls and driveways with painted finishes need different treatment again.

• Block paving driveways and front gardens
• Concrete and tarmac driveways
• Imprinted concrete (with appropriate care)
• Indian sandstone, limestone and porcelain patios
• Yorkshire-stone flagged paths and patios
• Concrete-slab patios of all kinds
• Wooden decking, including hardwood and softwood
• Composite decking and resin-bonded surfaces
• Rendered exterior walls and pebbledash
• Garden steps and retaining walls
• Garage forecourts and side passages
• Stone garden ornaments and fountains

Treatments and Sealing

A good jet wash on its own is excellent value, but the result lasts longer with the right treatment. For block paving, fresh kiln-dried sand brushed into the joints is essential to keep the blocks locked together and to suppress weed growth. For sandstone, a quality impregnating sealer applied after the surface has fully dried locks out the worst of the moss and reduces the chance of efflorescence. For decking, a wood preserver or oil applied within a few weeks of washing keeps the timber looking warm rather than silver-grey. We carry these products as part of our standard jet-washing service and we are happy to discuss whether they are worth applying for your particular surface.

We also offer biocide treatments for properties where moss and algae have established themselves badly. A biocide pre-wash kills the live spores so they do not regrow within weeks of cleaning. The result is a longer-lasting clean and a safer surface — particularly important on patios where slippery algae is a winter hazard.

When to Book a Jet Wash

The best time of year for jet washing in Middlesbrough is between April and September, when temperatures are reliably above the levels at which water can freeze in joints overnight, and when surfaces have a chance to dry fully between any showers. We book up quickly through April and May as people get their gardens ready for summer, so a quote in March often saves you a wait. We also do winter jet washing for customers with urgent algae problems on patios or steps, but we will sometimes ask to reschedule if a hard frost is forecast within twenty-four hours of the planned visit.

Quotes and Coverage

Most jet washing jobs we can quote on the basis of approximate square metreage, photographs and a description of the existing surface and condition. For larger or more unusual jobs we will visit and measure. Quotes are free and there is no obligation. We cover Middlesbrough, Stockton, Thornaby, Yarm, Ingleby Barwick, Eaglescliffe, Redcar, Marske, Saltburn, Guisborough and the East Cleveland villages.

Frequently Asked Questions