Services
Contact Us
Quotations in this trade are full of terms nobody outside it uses, so it is worth translating the ones that matter. Biocidal pre-treatment is the product applied before any cleaning, which kills algae, moss and lichen at cell level rather than merely removing what is visible. Dwell time is how long that product is left to work. It produces no visible change and it is the single most important factor in how long a result lasts, which is why it is the stage most often skipped. Rotary head, or flat surface cleaner, is the circular attachment that works an area evenly at a fixed height. It is what prevents the striping a handheld lance leaves. Kiln-dried sand is the fine, dry sand brushed into the joints of block paving afterwards. It is structural rather than cosmetic: it locks the blocks together so they share load. Efflorescence is a white salt bloom working out of concrete blocks. It is not dirt and it recurs regardless of cleaning. Laitance is the fine surface layer on concrete, which is why older slabs can be damaged by working too aggressively. Haunching is the concrete supporting an edging course, and when it fails the whole field of blocks loses its restraint. Condition grading describes how contaminated a surface is, from light to heavy, and it drives the figure more than anything except area. Hand detailing describes the edges, steps and awkward corners a rotary head cannot reach, worked with a lance at a controlled angle to match the tone of the main surface. Gully clearing means lifting the gratings afterwards and removing the silt the clean released rather than leaving it to settle. Anyone in Cottenham reading a quotation should expect these terms explained rather than used to impress.
Questions before booking are welcome rather than tolerated, and the useful ones are worth naming so nobody feels awkward asking them. What is my surface actually made of, is the most common, and many people genuinely do not know. It is identified at survey and stated on the quotation. What treatment will be used and how long will it be left, follows. The answer should involve a trade biocide at measured dilution and a genuine dwell period rather than an immediate rinse. Will the joints be refilled, and with what, is the question that separates most quotations. Kiln-dried sand on ordinary block paving, angular grit on permeable surfaces, and it is never optional. Where does the waste water go, matters more than people expect, since slurry left to travel stains lawns and silts gullies. How long will it take and will it be finished in a day, deserves an honest answer rather than an optimistic one. Do I need to be at home, and what should I move, are practical and are covered in the confirmation. What will it look like afterwards and what will not come out, is the question that prevents disappointment. Is the price fixed, and are you insured, complete the set. None of them takes long to answer, and a contractor who becomes vague on any of them is telling you something useful. Questions after the work are equally welcome, particularly about aftercare and when the next visit is genuinely worth booking. Households in Cottenham asking all nine will have a clear picture before anybody commits to anything.
Understanding how a figure is arrived at makes it far easier to judge, and the calculation is deliberately straightforward. Area comes first. Each surface is measured in square metres and recorded separately, since a driveway, a path and a terrace are different jobs. The rate applied to each eases as the total area grows, because the fixed costs of a visit are spread further. Condition then adjusts it. Each area is graded light, moderate or heavy, and that grade reflects the treatment required, the number of passes and whether re-sanding is a top-up or a full refill. The difference between light and heavy on the same square metreage can be half as much work again. Material adjusts it next, since smooth porcelain and imprinted concrete clean faster than riven stone, exposed aggregate or weathered block paving, and softer materials need slower working at lower pressure. Access adjusts it last, covering water supply, parking, hose runs, gates and steps. The fixed element of the visit is then added, which is why very small jobs carry a minimum charge. Optional items sit outside the calculation entirely with their own figures. Minimum charges are stated at the same time where a small area falls beneath them, and the saving from combining areas into one visit is shown alongside. The figure is then fixed and does not move on the day, since the risk of a job overrunning belongs to the contractor rather than the customer. Pro Clean Xtreme shows all of it on the quotation, so anyone in Cottenham can see which factor is driving their particular number rather than taking a single total on trust.
Remove years of dirt, grime, algae and staining for a cleaner, fresher finish.
Professional techniques designed to protect your surfaces while delivering outstanding results.
Keep your property looking its best with regular driveway and patio cleaning.
Parcel depots, courier hubs and sortation centres run on tight overnight schedules across surfaces that take constant van and trolley movement. Loading aprons and van bays are the heart of the operation. Vehicles arrive, load and depart in concentrated waves, depositing oil, rubber and traffic film in the same positions repeatedly, while cage and trolley wheels scuff and score the surface at every doorway. Pedestrian safety is the pressing concern. Staff move quickly between vehicles and buildings, frequently pushing loaded cages, almost always in the dark given the hours these sites operate, and a slippery apron in those conditions is a serious risk rather than a presentational one. Shaded margins and the areas between buildings develop growth quickly, since the operational areas are constantly disturbed while the edges are not. Drainage clearing matters, because standing water across a loading apron freezes overnight in winter on exactly the surface staff are crossing at four in the morning. Scheduling is the defining constraint, since these sites rarely stop. Work is phased bay by bay so loading continues, timed for the quietest window in a twenty-four hour cycle, with areas cordoned and signed until dry. Frequency is set by throughput, and the busiest bays usually justify attention twice as often as the rest of a site. Public liability cover, site-specific risk assessments and method statements are supplied before mobilisation, with completion records for the depot file. Where aprons are block laid, joints are cleared and refilled with fresh kiln-dried sand so nothing works loose beneath loaded cages. For operators in Cottenham, a twice-yearly programme covers the seasons when the risk is highest.
Founded in 2016 by Karl Crofts, Pro Clean Xtreme has grown from a dedicated one-man operation into a trusted family-run team. Joined by his wife Lindsay and family members Callum and Rachel, we pride ourselves on delivering professional, safety-first cleaning. By combining honest communication with continuous investment in the industry’s best low-pressure steam equipment and safe access systems, we deliver exceptional results for every residential, commercial, and industrial client.
Founded by Karl Crofts, delivering reliable local service for over a decade.
Our own tracked cherry picker provides safe access without walking on tiles.
Safe low-pressure steam cleaning, softwashing, and specialist pre-solar preparation.
Ten years of trusted, family-run service delivering high-quality workmanship on every project.
Your driveway and patio are exposed to the elements throughout the year, making them particularly susceptible to dirt, organic growth and staining. Regular cleaning helps remove this buildup and keeps outdoor areas looking brighter and better maintained. We provide professional driveway and patio cleaning in Cottenham, using suitable cleaning methods for the surface being treated. Whether your paving has become slippery with algae, developed moss growth or simply looks tired and dirty, a thorough clean can make a noticeable difference.
We take immense pride in the reputation we have built across Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas since 2016. As a family-run business, delivering exceptional customer service, honest communication, and high-quality workmanship is at the heart of everything we do. Read through our latest Google reviews to see why residential homeowners, housing associations, and commercial contractors consistently trust Pro Clean Xtreme to safely protect and restore their properties.
The ideal frequency depends on the surface, surrounding environment and amount of use. Regular cleaning can help prevent dirt, moss and algae from becoming heavily established.
Yes. Professional patio cleaning can remove moss, algae, dirt and other organic buildup from many types of paving.
Yes. Block paving can accumulate dirt, moss, algae and weeds over time, and professional cleaning can help restore its appearance.
Using excessive pressure or an unsuitable technique can potentially damage some surfaces. The correct cleaning method and pressure should be selected according to the paving material and its condition.
Getting an initial estimate for your property is completely effortless. Simply fill out the form below with your full property address, and our family-run team will utilise Google Earth before providing a quotation. Whether you are a homeowner, a housing association, or an installation company preparing a site, let us know your specific requirements and we will get back to you promptly with an initial assessment.