Algae & Lichen – and How to Beat It with Professional Softwashing

At Your House Wash Limited, we often see outdoor surfaces that look harmless at first but are quietly being damaged by two stubborn culprits: algae and lichen.

These growths are more than just unsightly — they can shorten the life of your hard surfaces, make driveways and patios dangerously slippery, and reduce your property’s kerb appeal.

What Are Algae and Lichen?

Algae form a green, often slimy film on surfaces such as patios, driveways, render, and roofs. They thrive in damp, shaded conditions and can spread quickly.

Lichen are more stubborn. They appear as white, grey, or black crusty spots that cling tightly to stone, render, and concrete. Over time, lichen can actually eat into the surface, causing permanent pitting or staining.

Both can be found on driveways, patios, walls, roofs, and even painted or rendered surfaces.

The Hidden Slip Risk

When algae and lichen are present, they create a thin, slick layer that acts like a lubricant when wet. This means surfaces that should provide good grip can quickly become slippery and hazardous — especially during wet or frosty months.

We regularly see driveways, patios and pathways that become unsafe underfoot simply because of algae build-up. Cleaning these surfaces professionally doesn’t just improve their look — it restores safety and prevents accidents.

Why Surfaces Are Prone to Growth

Algae and lichen love:

• Shaded, north-facing areas or places under trees.
• Surfaces that stay damp due to poor drainage.
• Porous materials such as concrete, tarmac, sandstone, render, and roof tiles.
• Build-up of organic matter such as leaves and dust that provide nutrients.

Even newly installed patios or driveways can develop algae growth within months if the conditions are right.

Why DIY Pressure Washing Isn’t Enough

Pressure washing can blast away surface growth — but it doesn’t kill the spores underneath.
In fact, using high pressure alone can damage the surface, making it rougher and more porous, which encourages faster regrowth.

That’s why at Your House Wash, we use a professional softwash and biocide treatment designed to eliminate algae and lichen at the root. It kills the spores safely and prevents them from returning, all without damaging the surface.

Our Professional Softwash Process

Our algae and lichen removal process typically includes:

1. Inspection: We identify the surface type, the level of growth, and any damage or drainage issues.
2. Preparation: We clear loose dirt, moss, or debris.
3. Softwash Treatment: We apply a specialist biocide or softwash solution that kills the organic growth at the root.
4. Rinse & Finish: The surface is gently rinsed and left to naturally dry and brighten over the following days.
5. Aftercare Advice: We can provide guidance or an annual maintenance plan to keep your surfaces cleaner for longer.

This approach ensures long-lasting results — often keeping surfaces clean for 12–18 months or more depending on conditions.

Why Choose Your House Wash?

• ✅ Safe, eco-friendly biocide treatments
• ✅ Long-lasting results (kills growth at the root)
• ✅ Protects render, patios, roofs and driveways
• ✅ Trained, professional, fully insured team
• ✅ Trusted by hundreds of local homeowners

We cover Hertfordshire and Essex, including Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Hoddesdon, Nazeing, Epping, Harlow, Ware and surrounding areas.