This sandstone patio and driveway in Godalming, Surrey had developed heavy green algae and general discolouration — the kind that builds up gradually in a shaded garden setting and eventually makes the whole space feel neglected.
The problem: algae and staining on natural sandstone
Natural sandstone is a beautiful material but it’s porous, which means algae and organic staining get into the surface over time. In a garden with any shade or moisture, green growth takes hold quickly — and once it’s established, domestic pressure washers rarely have the power to remove it cleanly. The patio here also had discolouration from leaf tannins and general weathering.
What we did
- Soft-washed the sandstone at controlled pressure to lift algae and staining without damaging the surface or disturbing the jointing
- Used a rotary surface cleaner across the larger flat areas for an even, consistent result
- Cleaned the side path and step edges as part of the same visit
- Rinsed thoroughly and cleared all debris before leaving
The result
The sandstone came back to its natural warm colour across the full area. The customer had assumed the patio had permanently darkened — in most cases like this, it’s the algae and staining rather than the stone itself that’s changed. A clean at the right pressure level brings it back properly.
Sandstone patio cleaning across Godalming and Surrey
We clean sandstone, porcelain, block paving and all types of patio and driveway surfaces across Godalming, Guildford and the wider Surrey area. Natural stone in particular responds well to professional cleaning — the difference is usually dramatic compared to what can be achieved with domestic equipment.
