Indian stone — usually Indian sandstone — is one of the most popular patio materials in Leicestershire. It is beautiful, varied in colour and reasonably priced, but it is also relatively soft and porous. That makes Indian stone patio cleaning in Leicester a job that needs a careful hand. Get the pressure right and the stone comes back to its original warm tones. Get it wrong and you can permanently mark the surface.
What Indian stone responds to
Indian stone responds best to a combination of treatment and rinse rather than raw pressure. We apply a biocide that breaks down algae and black-spot lichen at the root, allow it to dwell, and then use a controlled rinse with our rotary surface cleaner. The cleaner spreads the pressure across a wider area and gives an even finish without scoring the soft stone.
Black spot — the slow-motion patio killer
Black-spot lichen is the single biggest reason an Indian stone patio looks aged and tired. It looks like dots of black tar dropped on the slabs and you cannot scrub it off. Pressure alone will not shift it — the spores sit just below the surface. The biocide treatment is what actually kills the lichen. The pressure wash then lifts away the dead organic matter so the stone shows through clean.
Pointing matters
Indian stone patios are usually pointed with mortar between the slabs. We keep the lance angled away from the joints and use a wider fan nozzle near the edges, which protects the pointing. If your pointing has already started to crumble, we will tell you, and we recommend getting it patched before the next winter.
Aftercare
Once the stone has dried and the colour has come back, you have a window of opportunity to seal it. We do not sell sealant treatments, but a good penetrating sealer will slow down the return of algae and make the next clean easier. Ask us for a recommendation if you would like one.
Booking an Indian stone clean
We work across Leicester and Leicestershire. Call 07732 187000 or use the contact form for a free, written quote.