We had a sandstone patio put down nearly 4 years ago. We have done nothing to it since. I was thinking of getting it cleaned and was quoted €100 (10ft*40ft). The guy suggested sealing it which would be another €300, is this necessary? Will i still have to get it cleaned every year? How often will it have to be sealed?
100 euro for cleaning and 300 euro for sealing? That's mad money! I seal my travertine patio with 2 coats of sealer every year. It restores the true colour beautifully. Every 4 years or so, I power-wash it, re-grout with patio sand and the following week I give it 2 coats of sealer if the sun is shining for the day.
Borrow a power washer, once the patio dries out fully, watch out for a good dry day. it'll cost you time and the price of a tin of sealer!
I sealed mine last year which stopped a lot of the grime and mould sticking. This year I purchased a power washer from the local Arrow dealers (Co-op €100) with one of those spinning brush attachments and it worked brilliantly, cleaning it very quickly.