Now is the perfect time of year to get your garden packed up for the winter.
As householders prepare for the colder weather, many people will have already begun packing up their gardens for the winter months. One of the main garden tasks this season is cleaning your patio after storing away the furniture.
Many believe the best way to do this is to use pressure washers to remove moss and debris. However, paving specialists at Reclaimed Brick Company warns that rushing into jet cleaning can have unintended consequences.
According to the experts, a simple jet washing mistake on your patio can cause surface damage, subtly loosen joints, and increase the risk of frost cracks later in the year.
Pressure washers have become a go-to tool for homes in the UK. With constant damp, algae and grime building up outdoors, they provide quick results and spotless slabs. It’s easy to see why they’re so popular for cleaning patios, driveways and even garden furniture.
However, using it incorrectly, this cleaning tool can strip away the sand or mortar that holds slabs together and drive water deep beneath the surface. The patio may look clean for a few days, but once cold weather sets in, those open joints and trapped moisture can lead to cracks, wobbling stones and costly repairs.
Professional tips for safer cleaning
– Always use a wide fan nozzle, not a tight jet, to spread pressure evenly. – Keep the nozzle at least 30–40 cm away from the surface. – Spray across the slabs at an angle rather than straight down into joints. – Move continuously to avoid etching one spot. – After cleaning block paving, refill the joints the same day with kiln-dried sand. – Avoid pressure washing limestone, old brick or cracked pointing, which are easily damaged. – Never mix chemicals like bleach or acid cleaners with your wash water.
Sam Rosenmayer from the Family Handyman YouTube channel, which has over 287,000 subscribers, has shared additional safety tips for householders.
Sam said: “Safety and preparation are key before anyone starts pressure washing. You need safety glasses, good shoes and clothing that can handle spray.
“Choose a sunny day so the water doesn’t blow back on you or your walls. Sweep the area first, clear away loose plants, toys and pets, and never start without a proper nozzle attached.”
He adds that using the wrong nozzle or holding it too close to the surface is one of the fastest ways to ruin a patio.
Skipping care or relying on high pressure can quickly lead to costly repairs. Repointing a small patio might cost a few hundred pounds, while replacing cracked or lifted slabs can run much higher. A spokesperson for the Reclaimed Brick Company said homeowners often underestimate the strength of modern jet washers.
They added: “We see more damage caused by cleaning than by wear,” they explained. “The best approach is steady maintenance. If you use a pressure washer, do it carefully and never too close. A few minutes of caution now can save a full patio repair later.”
