Clean the blocks
Treat suitable dirt, weathering and organic contamination with a method chosen for the paving.
Southampton · Bournemouth · Hampshire · Nearby Dorset
Professional block paving cleaning, done properly.
Dirt, weathering, moss, algae, organic growth and established black spotting or lichen can all affect block paving. We assess the blocks, joint condition and previous treatments before choosing suitable cleaning, then re-sand where required and consider sealing only where worthwhile.
Cleaning
From £4.50/m²
Minimum charge
£150
Choose Block paving in the existing Exterior Care estimator.
Block assessment · Joint condition · Controlled cleaning · Appropriate aftercare
Assess the joints
Check existing joint condition before and after cleaning rather than treating the surface as one solid slab.
Finish what is worthwhile
Re-sanding and optional sealing are recommended only where condition, drying and suitability support them.
Common contamination
What has built up on the blocks and around the joints?
General dirt and weathering
Traffic, airborne dirt and repeated weather exposure can leave the blocks dull and uneven-looking.
Moss and algae
Suitable green growth and slippery biological build-up can be treated according to the surface and severity.
Black spots and lichen
Established biological marking may need targeted treatment and can improve without disappearing completely.
Weeds and joint growth
Visible weeds and organic growth around joints can be addressed, but roots, seeds and future regrowth cannot be ruled out.
Localised stains
Oil, rust and other absorbed marks are assessed individually. Historic or deep staining cannot be guaranteed to disappear completely.
Why the joints matter
Block paving is a jointed surface—not one solid slab.
Jointing sand helps the individual blocks work together as a system, so joint condition is assessed alongside the visible surface.
Cleaning may expose joints that were already depleted or remove loose material near the surface. Correct professional cleaning is not inherently damaging; it shows where the paving needs appropriate aftercare.
Re-sanding is determined by actual joint condition once the paving has dried sufficiently—not added automatically to every job.
The method
A complete process from assessment to appropriate finish.
- 01
Assess blocks, joints and drainage
We review block movement, jointing sand, runoff and previous coatings or treatments.
- 02
Treat suitable contamination
Moss, algae, lichen and other organic contamination receive a targeted treatment when useful.
- 03
Clean with controlled method
Pressure, flow, equipment and working pattern are chosen for the paving—not set to a universal maximum.
- 04
Detail edges and rinse down
Edges and accessible surrounding areas are managed carefully as the surface is rinsed and checked.
- 05
Allow sufficient drying
Drying depends on weather, shade, drainage and the surface; there is no universal waiting time.
- 06
Re-sand where appropriate
Suitable jointing sand is replenished when joint levels show the paving needs it and conditions allow.
- 07
Consider optional sealing
Sealing is considered only after reviewing material, moisture, previous treatments, weather and desired finish.
Block paving re-sanding
Replenish the joints where their condition calls for it.
From +£2/m² where appropriate
Jointing sand helps fill the gaps between individual blocks. Existing sand can be low before cleaning begins, while loose material can be exposed as contamination is removed.
The blocks and joints must dry sufficiently before suitable kiln-dried jointing sand can be worked into the gaps. The required wait depends on real weather, shade, drainage and moisture conditions rather than a fixed promise.
Black Haven recommends re-sanding only when the joints need it; it is not automatically upsold with every clean.
Optional block paving sealing
Seal only where the surface and outcome support it.
From +£7/m² where suitable
Sealing is optional and not always required. Block condition, existing or previous coatings, moisture, drying, weather and the desired finish all affect whether it is sensible. We recommend it only when it offers a worthwhile result.
Older or previously sealed paving may need closer review before any further coating is considered.
Transparent guide pricing
Build your block paving estimate.
Choose Block paving and add approximate measurements, visible condition and any treatment you are considering. Photographs help Black Haven review the scope before work is agreed.
- Block paving cleaning
- From £4.50/m²
- Minimum job charge
- £150
- Re-sanding where appropriate
- From +£2/m²
- Optional sealing
- From +£7/m²
These are guide rates from the same pricing authority used by the Exterior Care estimator. Final scope depends on measurements, condition and suitability.
Practical expectations
Plan the working area and weather-dependent finish properly.
Access and equipment space
Reasonable access and enough working room are needed for professional exterior-cleaning equipment.
Water and drainage
An exterior water supply may be required, while drainage and runoff routes are assessed before the method is confirmed.
Surrounding items
Vehicles, pots, furniture and delicate items may need moving so the agreed area can be worked safely and methodically.
Weather-dependent stages
Rain, temperature, shade and surface moisture can affect cleaning, drying, re-sanding and any suitable sealing stage.
Rinse-down and clean-up
Accessible surrounding surfaces affected by the work are checked and the agreed working area is left orderly.
Final inspection
The blocks, joints and agreed finish are reviewed before the completed work is handed back.
Before booking
Block paving cleaning questions.
How much does block paving cleaning cost?
Black Haven block paving cleaning starts from £4.50 per square metre, subject to the £150 minimum job charge. Final guide pricing depends on area, condition and whether appropriate re-sanding or optional sealing is selected.
Does block paving need re-sanding after cleaning?
Not automatically. Cleaning can expose already depleted joints or remove loose material, so we assess the actual sand level and recommend re-sanding where it is appropriate rather than adding it as a routine upsell.
How long after cleaning can block paving be re-sanded?
The paving and joints need to dry sufficiently first. Weather, shade, drainage, temperature and surface condition all affect this, so there is no universal fixed drying time.
Do you pressure wash block paving?
Block paving pressure washing may form part of the process where suitable, but pressure, flow, equipment and treatment are adjusted to the blocks, joints and condition rather than using maximum pressure as the method.
Can you remove moss and algae from block paving?
Suitable moss, algae and biological growth can be treated and cleaned. Established contamination may need targeted treatment as well as controlled cleaning.
Can you remove weeds from block paving?
Visible weeds and suitable organic growth around joints can be addressed during preparation and cleaning. Seeds and roots can remain nearby, so permanent prevention or zero future regrowth cannot be promised.
Can you remove oil stains?
Oil and other localised stains can be treated where suitable, but deeply absorbed or historic marks may improve without disappearing completely.
Should block paving be sealed after cleaning?
Not always. Block paving sealing is optional, and suitability depends on block condition, previous coatings, moisture, weather and the finish you want. We recommend it only where it is worthwhile.
Can previously sealed or older block paving be cleaned?
Potentially, but previous coatings, age, wear, movement, repairs and joint condition must be assessed first. These factors can change the cleaning method and whether any new sealer is suitable.
Start with the blocks and joints
See what your block paving actually needs.
Build a guide estimate from the area, visible condition and treatment you are considering. Black Haven reviews the job before the final scope is agreed.