A patio that turns slippery every winter
A patio that is fine in August and treacherous in December is usually carrying a thin algal film rather than ice. The film is barely visible when dry and turns greasy the moment it is wet.
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Monday to Saturday, 8am – 7pm
- Treat shaded edges and low points, not just the middle
- Check for a downpipe discharging onto the surface
- Expect the same strip to return first each year
Where the film forms first
Shaded edges, the strip under a washing line, the run beneath a gutter overflow and any low point that holds water all green up before the open middle of a patio does. Those are the places people actually slip.
Why brushing does not last
Sweeping removes the loose surface but leaves the growth anchored in the texture of the slab. Within a wet fortnight it is back. Washing the surface properly removes far more of it, which is why the interval between treatments is measured in seasons rather than weeks.
What to do about the cause
Where a downpipe discharges onto the patio, or planting keeps a corner permanently damp, the same strip will always be first to return. Redirecting water or opening up airflow extends how long a clean lasts.
Common questions
- Is it safe to pressure wash natural stone?
- At controlled pressure yes. Softer stone and riven finishes need the pressure kept down or the surface picks up marks.
- How long will it stay clear?
- On an open, sunny patio, a couple of seasons is common. In permanent shade, less.
- Can you do steps as well?
- Steps are usually the priority, because that is where a slip does the most damage.
Services involved
Similar situations
Tell us the patio material and roughly the size and we will quote the wash without needing a site visit.
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