Limestone paving looks brilliant when it's well looked after, but it needs a slightly different approach to cleaning than some other patio materials. Because it's a calcium-based stone, the wrong cleaner can do real damage. SPR Paving lays a lot of limestone in and around Tewkesbury, and the maintenance routine that keeps it looking right isn't complicated once you know what to avoid.
Routine Cleaning
Regular sweeping to keep grit and debris off the surface, followed by a wash with warm water and a mild detergent, is enough for most upkeep. The key thing to avoid is anything acidic, including many off-the-shelf patio cleaners and neat bleach, because limestone is calcium carbonate and will react with acid, leaving dull or etched patches that don't come back. A stiff bristle brush is fine; wire brushes can scratch the surface and should be avoided.
Dealing With Algae, Moss and Staining
Tewkesbury's damp climate, sitting as it does near the Severn and Avon, means shaded or north-facing patios are prone to green algae, especially over winter. A proprietary limestone-safe patio cleaner or algae treatment deals with this without etching the stone. Beyond cleaning, improving the drainage falls and cutting back overhanging plants that keep an area shaded and damp will cut down how often algae comes back in the first place.
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