FAQs Archive - Page 4 of 5 - Lilypad Exterior Cleaning

Q: Can you using soft washing chemicals near my pond?

For the most part no it is not ideal to use soft washing chemicals if a pond is present near the area to be cleaned especially if it is in ground as chemical runoff can be very difficult to control at times, almost all the chemicals used I soft washing have harmful long-lasting affects in waterways. There are other methods of cleaning that can be used to get similar results to what chemicals achieve, this is where steam cleaning can be very useful as it just uses normal water that is simply heated with a diesel boiler. All this being said we do work closely with our chemical supplier who do offer a completely ecofriendly, wildlife and pond safe chemical which does achieve adequate results in most cases.

Q: Will the soft washing chemicals harm my pets or plants?

Whilst the chemical is active yes almost all the chemicals that are used will be harmful in some way, whether inhaled, ingested, skin irritant etc. However this is why using a professional is so important as we have methods and procedures in place that we follow to avoid harm coming to pets and plants. For example we can control where the chemical run off may go too or where there is a potential for overspray, we will ensure plants are well watered before, during and after the chemical is applied, this is to ensure the plants are not “thirsty” in which case they would draw in the chemical causing itself harm. We will also ensure the areas chemicals are being used are made known to anyone on site and before we leave all chemicals applied will be thoroughly rinsed down and washed away to ensure a safe environment for pets. So yes the chemicals used can be harmful to pets and plants but only if they are not respected and a lack of care is used when dealing with them. If done professionally, following COSHH regulations and assessments along with strict methods and procedures being followed then the risk to plant and pet life is no longer a concern and you can be happy knowing your pets and plants are safe without harm.

Q: What is soft washing?

Soft washing is simply cleaning with the use of chemicals and low-pressure methods. An example would be using soft washing chemicals to treat and kill lichen and algae stains on render, usually followed by low pressure washing the surface to remove the dead biofilm instead of just using high pressure fan jets to wash the lichen and algae off as this would cause damage to the render and leave pressure stripes in the render once dry.

Q: Will my grout come out of my patio if it is pressure washed?

We are asked this question a lot, the answer is no, if the grout is solid and healthy there will be no loss of grout. However, if the grout is compromised from age and weathering showing cracks and pulling away from the edge of the slabs then it is likely to come out. The other factor to keep in mind is the material type of the grout being used especially in newer patios, it is very common these days for landscapers to use cheaper quality brush in products, they will use these for the ease and speed of use. These products often claim to set as hard as cement when in reality they are often fragile and weak and even whilst using appropriate reduced levels of pressure these weak products are susceptible to coming loose. This also goes for if a weak sand and cement mix or a very dry mix is used. If the grout is a good quality epoxy bound resin or a strong sand and cement mix, then even with higher levels of pressure the grout will remain intact.

Q: Do I need to resand my block paving when after it has been pressure washed?

After cleaning your block paved driveway or patio yes you need to resand it. Using kiln dried sand on a dry day and the surface must be bone dry you can simply sweep the sand into the joints. The reason for this is a portion of the existing sand will be washed out during the clean. The purpose for this sand it to fill any gaps and voids between the blocks which in turn stabilizes the block and prevents them from moving in place which in long term would start causing an uneven surface in the blocks.

Q: Can I use my pressure washer during a hose pipe ban?

As a homeowner, no, you cannot use your pressure washer, that’s to clean your driveway, patio or even your car. However, as a business we are exempt and allowed to use the water as we require it to carry out our business day to day.

Q: Can decking be pressure washed?

Yes you can pressure wash your decking however there is almost an “art” to do it correctly without damaging the wood. Using too much pressure, the incorrect nozzle tip or being too close to the wood will fur up the wood, split the edges and cause “tram lines” in the surface. To properly clean decking the correct pressure and nozzles must be used followed my chemical treatments to soak into the wood to kill the green growth that is deep in the wood. Unfortunately these chemicals are once again controlled substances and restricted and sold only to professional service providers.

Q: Should I seal my patio or driveway after it’s been pressure washed?

So now you’ve got a nice clean driveway or patio you want to keep it clean for as long as possible. Using a sealer can definitely be a good option, they act as a hydrophobic surface which causes the water to bead and repel from the surface. The idea behind a sealer is to help keep the water flowing off a surface where there is pitch so the water doesn’t just sit causing green growth. However our opinion on the fact is sealers are not worth it. The good brand of sealers are very expensive to buy and then if not doing it yourself you will be paying someone labour on top of the material costs to apply the sealer. If not done correctly they can go wrong and trap moisture under the sealer resulting in a cloudy look. Along with this each time you get the surface cleaned for best results you will need to use a chemical stripping agent such as Xylene to strip the sealer from the surface which is not only yet another cost but also a fairly harmful chemical to use. Also if the surface that is being sealed does not have a good pitch to it even with a sealer water will still sit on the surface resulting in green growth, not on your patio or driveway but rather on top of the sealer. In conclusion, sealers are a good idea for selective reasons and scenarios. If you have a steep pitched driveway then yes, they can be worth considering as they will repel the water down the drive along with this the sealer will help keep the sand between your block paved driveway from being washed out. Other than that, the only other situation that sealers are a good idea would be on the area of a patio where a BBQ will be used regularly as the sealer will be a good defense against grease and fat spitting from the BBQ which can be tedious to get out of certain porous surfaces such as sandstone.

Q: Will a pressure washer kill my weeds?

The quick answer is no; pressure washing will not kill the weeds growing in your driveway or patio. A pressure washer will certainly take the heads of the weeds off and most of the body, however, it’s not possible to reach the roots which is how the weed grows. The chemicals used during a clean will certainly damage the weeds roots often killing them and certainly prolongs the regrowth. The best answer for weeds is to apply a weedkiller two weeks before the ground is planned to be cleaned, this will allow time for the weedkiller to kill the weeds down to their roots. Once the surface has been cleaned keep a strict routine maintenance dose of weed killer once you see the weeds have started to regrow. Unfortunately, there is no true answer to prevent weed regrowth, instead they can be managed to keep them under control.

Can you using soft washing chemicals near my pond?

For the most part no it is not ideal to [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:44:49+00:00December 14th, 2025|Soft Washing|Comments Off

Will the soft washing chemicals harm my pets or plants?

Whilst the chemical is active yes almost all the chemicals [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:44:31+00:00December 14th, 2025|Soft Washing|Comments Off

Are the soft washing chemicals safe for my property?

Yes if the chemicals are applied professionally following the manufacturer’s [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:44:06+00:00December 14th, 2025|Soft Washing|Comments Off

What is soft washing?

Soft washing is simply cleaning with the use of chemicals [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:43:42+00:00December 14th, 2025|Soft Washing|Comments Off

Will my grout come out of my patio if it is pressure washed?

We are asked this question a lot, the answer is [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:42:20+00:00December 14th, 2025|Pressure Washing|Comments Off

Do I need to resand my block paving when after it has been pressure washed?

After cleaning your block paved driveway or patio yes you [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:42:02+00:00December 14th, 2025|Pressure Washing|Comments Off

Can I use my pressure washer during a hose pipe ban?

As a homeowner, no, you cannot use your pressure washer, [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:41:40+00:00December 14th, 2025|Pressure Washing|Comments Off

Can decking be pressure washed?

Yes you can pressure wash your decking however there is [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:41:19+00:00December 14th, 2025|Pressure Washing|Comments Off

Should I seal my patio or driveway after it’s been pressure washed?

So now you’ve got a nice clean driveway or patio [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:41:00+00:00December 14th, 2025|Pressure Washing|Comments Off

Will a pressure washer kill my weeds?

The quick answer is no; pressure washing will not kill [...]

By Tim|2025-12-14T20:40:35+00:00December 14th, 2025|Pressure Washing|Comments Off

Pond & exterior cleaning specialists covering all of Kent Call Us Today 07856 044 138 / 01634 475 004

Pond & exterior cleaning specialists covering all of Kent
Call Us Today 07856 044 138 / 01634 475 004