Stone Walkway Cleaning

What This Service Involves

Natural stone walkways, from bluestone to slate, are common in Washington landscapes and each type reacts differently to pressure and chemistry. We identify the stone and calibrate a soft-wash approach that removes the slick black algae our climate encourages without scarring the face. High pressure can pit and flake sedimentary stone, so we lean on dwell time and gentle rinsing instead. You get clean, naturally textured stone that stays true to its original color.

Benefits

Avoids etching, pitting, or flaking the stone; Removes the dark algae bloom that stone develops in shade; Preserves the natural texture and color variation; Keeps footing sure on wet-weather walkways

Our Process

1) Assess stone type and test a discreet area; 2) Apply a stone-safe cleaning agent and monitor dwell; 3) Rinse at low pressure following the stone grain; 4) Inspect and spot-treat any remaining shaded staining

What Affects the Cost

Type and porosity of the natural stone; Overall walkway area and layout complexity; Degree of algae and lichen coverage; Sensitivity requiring extra hand detailing; Optional sealing after cleaning

Best Time of Year

Stone walkways clean best in warm, dry summer weeks that allow the porous surface to dry evenly.