Patio sweeping in Exeter
Professional patio sweeping services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Patio swept thoroughly clean of leaves, moss, algae and debris. Furniture moved if needed, drains cleared, surface left safe and ready to use - proper clean without the pressure washer.
When Your Patio Needs Love
Last time you actually used your patio was... when? And now it's covered in leaves from last autumn, green with moss, and generally looks like nobody's been near it in months. You want to get furniture out and enjoy the garden, but right now it's embarrassing.
An hour's work transforms it.
💡 Pro tip: Regular sweeping (monthly in wet months) prevents heavy moss buildup. Much easier than scrubbing off thick green coverage later.
More Than Just A Quick Once-Over
Proper patio sweeping means getting it properly clean:
| ✅ Done Properly | ❌ Quick Brush |
|---|---|
| All furniture moved and swept under | Just the visible bits |
| Moss and algae scrubbed off | Loose leaves removed, moss left |
| Drains and edges cleared | Blocked drains, debris in corners |
| Whole surface safe and clean | Still slippery in patches |
What You Get
🔧 The Sweeping Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Clear | Move furniture and planters as needed |
| Brush | Stiff brush to scrub off moss and algae |
| Sweep | All debris and loose material swept up |
| Edges | Get into corners, along walls, under furniture |
| Drains | Gullies cleared, drains checked |
| Replace | Furniture put back, all debris removed |
📦 You're Left With
- Clean, safe patio surface
- No slip hazard from moss
- Drains flowing properly
- Ready for furniture and use
Pricing Guide
| Patio Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small patio (up to 15m²) | 1 hr or less | £60 |
| Average patio (15-30m²) | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Large patio or very mossy | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Heavy moss might need separate moss killer treatment.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Spring clean - getting garden ready for summer
✅ Pre-event - BBQ or garden party coming up
✅ Regular maintenance - keeping on top of moss and debris
✅ Before furniture - want it clean before setting up for summer
Why Choose Us for Patio sweeping in Exeter?
Entire patio swept clean
Moss and algae brushed off
Drains and gullies cleared
Safe, non-slip surface restored
What to Expect
Step 1: Clear The Deck
Move patio furniture, planters, BBQ - anything that needs shifting to sweep properly underneath. Heavy built-in stuff we'll work around.
Step 2: Scrub & Sweep
Stiff brush to scrub off moss and algae, working methodically across the whole patio. Then sweep all the debris into piles for removal.
Step 3: Finish & Replace
Get into all the edges and corners, clear the drains, final sweep. Put furniture back, all debris bagged and removed.
🔧 DIY Tips
Patio sweeping is definitely DIY-able if you're up for it:
🔧 What you'll need
- Stiff yard broom
- Softer brush for delicate surfaces
- Large bags or wheelbarrow for debris
- Gloves (moss is slimy)
- Someone to help move heavy furniture
📐 The technique
- Move furniture off one section at a time
- Brush vigorously to shift moss and algae
- Sweep debris into piles
- Work across patio systematically
- Pay attention to edges and corners
- Clear drain gullies
- Bag up all the debris
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not moving furniture (missing half the patio)
- Using wrong brush (too soft for moss, too hard for delicate stone)
- Sweeping debris onto lawn (makes lawn look rubbish)
- Leaving blocked drains (water pools on patio)
- Trying to do huge patio in one session (exhausting)
💡 Pro trick: Sweep patios when they're slightly damp - moss scrubs off much easier. Dry moss just bounces about. And if you've got really thick moss, spray with moss killer first, wait 2-3 weeks, THEN sweep. The dead moss comes off in satisfying chunks.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🧹 Regular beats intensive: Monthly light sweeping is easier than annual major scrubbing. Little and often keeps patios nice without the hard work.
When to pressure wash instead: If the patio is heavily stained, ingrained dirt, or hasn't been cleaned in years, pressure washing does a better job. But for regular maintenance and light moss, sweeping is perfect and much gentler on the surface.
North-facing patios: These get less sun and more moss. In Devon's wet climate, north-facing patios need sweeping more often - maybe every 3-4 weeks in winter.
Old stone patios: Victorian and Georgian stone benefits from regular gentle sweeping rather than occasional aggressive pressure washing. Keeps it clean without damaging the surface or washing out the pointing.
Combine jobs: If I'm doing path sweeping, gutter clearing, or other garden maintenance, adding patio sweeping saves money on the callout. Two jobs in one visit.
Devon's leaf problem: If you've got big trees over the patio, autumn is relentless. Weekly sweeping October-December, or one big clearance in December after leaf fall finishes. Otherwise you're just pushing wet leaves around all winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is patio sweeping different from pressure washing?
Yes - sweeping removes loose debris, leaves, and light moss. Pressure washing uses high-pressure water to deep clean and remove ingrained dirt. Sweeping is gentler, cheaper, and perfect for regular maintenance. Pressure washing is for when it needs a proper deep clean.
Can you sweep a patio that's covered in thick moss?
I can brush off some of it, but thick moss really needs killing first with moss killer, then sweeping a few weeks later when it's dead. Or pressure washing if the patio surface can handle it. I'll advise on the best approach when I see it.
How often should patios be swept?
Monthly in autumn/winter keeps on top of leaves and moss buildup. Every few months in spring/summer for general tidying. More often if you've got overhanging trees dropping debris constantly.
Do you move patio furniture before sweeping?
Yes - I'll shift furniture and pots to sweep underneath, then put it all back. If there's heavy built-in stuff or massive planters, we'll work around them.
Will sweeping clear the weeds between patio slabs?
I can brush out loose stuff, but established weeds need proper weeding or weed killer. Sweeping helps with moss and surface debris, not rooted weeds.
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