Winter can be tough on patios — frost, rain, and leaf debris can all take their toll. At Plex, we believe proper seasonal maintenance keeps your patio looking great and performing well for years to come. In this post, we’ll explain the simple steps our team recommends after a new installation, from cleaning and sealing to drainage checks and frost protection. A few hours of care now can prevent costly repairs in spring.
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Even the strongest patio can suffer if left unprotected during cold, wet months. Frost can penetrate porous paving, water can pool and cause discolouration, and organic build-up (like moss and algae) can make surfaces slippery.
This is particularly true in Worcestershire, where clay-heavy soil expands when frozen, putting pressure on patios from below. By carrying out a few essential maintenance tasks, you can prevent costly damage and keep your patio looking freshly installed.
At Plex, we recommend checking your patio’s condition every autumn — ideally before the first frost — so you can fix any small issues before they grow into larger ones.
The first step is always a deep clean. Fallen leaves, soil, and organic debris trap moisture and can stain or encourage algae growth.
We use low-pressure jet washing with a rotary surface cleaner to safely lift grime without disturbing joints. For new installations, this should be done gently to avoid dislodging sand or jointing compound.
For DIY maintenance, use a stiff brush, mild patio cleaner, and clean water — avoid harsh acids that may damage natural stone or concrete finishes.
Regular brushing through the winter prevents surface build-up and keeps the area safer underfoot.
Blocked drainage is one of the most common causes of winter patio problems. When water sits on the surface, it can freeze, expand, and cause cracks or lifting.
We recommend inspecting all channel drains, gullies, and joint gaps to ensure water flows away freely. If your patio includes a soakaway or French drain system (common in Plex installations), remove any debris or silt that may have accumulated during autumn.
If pooling is still visible after heavy rain, it may indicate a small settlement or grading issue — something our team can easily address with levelling or re-pointing.
A quality patio sealant adds an invisible barrier against moisture, frost, and staining. Over time, sealants naturally wear off — especially in high-traffic or exposed areas.
For most materials, we recommend resealing every 2–3 years, but a light re-coat before winter can be highly beneficial for new patios. This is particularly important for:
Our team applies professional-grade breathable sealers that protect against water ingress without trapping moisture — ensuring the patio can still naturally “breathe.”
Mortar joints and edge restraints often take the brunt of weather changes. Over time, small cracks may appear, especially if the patio has experienced settling or if water has frozen in gaps.
Before winter sets in, walk around your patio and look for:
Repointing with a polymeric jointing compound or resin sand helps seal out water and prevents weed growth. If any edge restraints are loose (particularly in gravel or sleeper-bordered patios), these should be re-secured before frost can widen the gaps.
During winter, ice and frost are inevitable — but how you deal with them can make a big difference to your patio’s lifespan.
Avoid using rock salt or harsh de-icers, as these can corrode surfaces or stain natural stone. Instead, use:
Never chip away ice with metal tools — this can scratch and chip the paving surface. If the patio becomes slippery, use a soft broom and warm water once temperatures rise above freezing.
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1. Clean before frost sets in.
Debris traps moisture — cleaning early prevents staining and frost damage.
2. Drainage must flow freely.
Blocked drains or trapped water cause cracks and lifting when frozen.
3. Sealants protect against winter wear.
A breathable patio sealant stops frost penetration and staining.
4. Keep joints in good condition.
Repair cracks and loose joints to keep moisture out and weeds down.
5. Use gentle frost treatments.
Avoid rock salt — use calcium chloride or grit instead.
6. Book a professional check.
An expert eye can spot and fix small issues before they turn costly.
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Leaving garden furniture, planters, or fire pits in place all winter can cause moisture marks or uneven weathering. We suggest:
These small steps keep the patio’s surface evenly weathered and free of rust stains or ring marks.
If your patio was recently installed, the first winter is particularly important. Subtle settlement, shifting, or joint cracking can occur as the base and bedding layers experience their first freeze-thaw cycle.
At Plex, we offer post-installation maintenance visits for our clients across Worcestershire. During these visits, we:
This proactive care extends the lifespan of the patio and keeps it looking as sharp as the day it was installed.
Your patio is built to last — but it deserves protection from the toughest months of the year. With the right preparation and maintenance, you’ll prevent damage, maintain appearance, and save on costly spring repairs. At Plex, we believe great landscaping doesn’t end at installation. From sealing and cleaning to drainage and restoration, our team offers comprehensive aftercare services across Worcestershire. Whether it’s a simple maintenance visit or a full patio refresh, we’re here to help your outdoor space look its best all year round.
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Sometimes the most cost-effective way to transform a tired, overgrown, or uneven garden is to start fresh. This article explores when full garden removal and reset make better sense than repeated patchwork repairs. From failing patios and drainage problems to compacted soil and outdated layouts, we explain the signs that it’s time for a complete redesign — and how Plex rebuilds outdoor spaces across Worcestershire from the ground up for long-term performance and usability.
Water pooling on a patio is one of the most common issues homeowners face, especially in wetter areas of Worcestershire. Puddling can lead to slippery surfaces, moss growth, staining, joint failure, and long-term structural damage. In this guide, we explain the true causes of standing water, including installation errors, sinking slabs, blocked drainage, and ground movement. We also break down the professional fixes and preventative measures used at Plex to keep patios draining correctly year-round.
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I would highly recommend Luke and Patrick and their team. They are all extremely polite and hard-working. They put up a new pergola in our back garden and tidied up the edges of the garden. An excellent job.
I can highly recommend Luke and his team. My garden had got a little overrun due to all the rain and needed some serious attention. They were on time and left my garden looking fantastic. I am so pleased that i will now be using them to maintain my garden permanently.
I had an overgrown garden and after placing an advertisement for someone to clear my garden they were the quickest to reply and offer their services. The work carried out was very good they were very efficient and I’m very pleased with the outcome.
Luke and Patrick have completed two projects for us now. They are the most polite and professional people with a hardworking team of individuals. Nothing is too much trouble for them.
Luke and his team were incredibly professional, polite and hard working. They did an amazing job cutting back my huge holly hedge and reducing four other large trees and bushes in the space of one day - it would have taken me weeks. Fast, efficient and very reasonably price.
Luke and his team are really lovely and professional. Cannot recommend him enough.
All the team are very personable, efficient, hard working, flexible and reliable they keep the customer in touch with any change of plans and timings. i can thoroughly recommend them.
Luke and the team are absolutely brilliant. A passion for what they do and personal but professional, so pleased to have found them!
We had some overgrown garden shrubs cut down to size. The service was professional and thorough from the initial visit, where Luke discussed various options regarding shaping and pruning, to the actual trimming.
Luke and his team offer a well run and professional service and are always willing to ensure the job is completed to customer satisfaction.
A relative's garden had become very overgrown. Luke and team come once a fortnight and have been slowly restoring it. It's already looking loads better. What's more, they take away all the garden waste and check in regularly to make sure they are meeting your requirements.
I can highly recommend Luke and his team, very professional from the quote to the finished job they went above and beyond replacing and installing a new fence for me. They did a fantastic job, will not hesitate to use them again. Great job guys. Thank you.
Our garden fence was damaged in a storm in December and a poor attempt to repair it by another company had left it sagging. The guys from Plex Procurement Group quickly worked out what needed to be done to fix and stabilise it and we are very pleased with the result.
Really pleased with the gardening the team are doing. They've helped get on top of the garden and are now maintaining it with regular visits. Very dependable and good quality work. Thanks Luke!
Patrick and his team came out to level our lawn out in harsh weather. Moving all the soil/mud by wheelbarrow to the front driveway. It was completed efficiently and at low cost. I would recommend Plex to my friends and family. We have them coming along to do some more work soon.
Really pleased with the concrete base for my carport that was completed by the team , worked really hard in poor weather conditions . Great job would definitely recommend the team .
We're really pleased with the changes you've made to our front garden and would have no hesitation recommending you and your team. I really appreciate you coming to water the garden once the job was finished and the after sales service was superb.
Completely satisfied with work carried out and very impressed with work ethic of the whole team. Their level of commitment is exemplary. Our garden will now be much easier to manage with the raised borders. Have already booked for further work in the spring.
Our garden has never looked better - hard-working, thorough, and also great at getting in touch if there's a change to the schedule, etc. They have nursed our box hedging back to health. Before and and after photos are a bonus!
The guys worked tirelessly for 10 days on my 100m hedge. This was a mammoth task, and they turned up on time every day with smiles on their faces. Polite, helpful, courteous and hard working. Price was also very reasonable. Would certainly recommend
Competitive price wise even though the work carried out was to a very high standard. I was very pleased with the end result and impressed with the tidiness they left the garden after all the work was carried out. A very happy customer!
Luke & the team are extremely efficient and professional. Our lawns look very neat and tidy. Thank you.
I can easily rate Garden Guys as 5 star. The are good listeners, respectful and will always go that extra mile to make sure you’re left smiling. ? After a couple of really bad years have left me incapacitated to do the smallest of jobs, I have really needed their support.
Very obliging and efficient we have worked out a schedule that suits us both.
Hard working young team. Plenty of effective machinery and responded to special requests. Will be using them this summer and confident the relationship should develop.
Excellent service and great communication. Would highly recommend.
The boys were charming, came on a Sunday worked very hard all day, and did a fantastic job of literally halving the height of my very out-of-control hedge. Highly recommend.
They are really hard working efficient and tidy so the garden always looks better for the visit. They add more each time an have the sense to check stuff if they are less sure about odd plants or problems. Highly recommended.
Excellent job. Very nice lads. Our timings were out due to weather and for me going into hospital. They took the job on and completed it perfectly without me. Very trustworthy and no hesitation in recommending this business. Thank you, Jan
Extremely polite and did their best in the pouring rain!
Fantastic friendly team, hard working, have done many varieties of jobs for myself, and really great rates to boot!
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