Yes. Under the current 2026 Thames Water and South East Water hosepipe-ban terms, you can still have a driveway, patio, path or other outdoor artificial surface cleaned by a professional pressure-washing business. Both water companies list an exception where the cleaning is done as a service to customers in the course of a business.
The important difference: professional cleaning and DIY
The restrictions stop a domestic customer using a mains-fed hosepipe or pressure washer themselves to clean a driveway, patio, path, wall, window or other outdoor surface. They do not apply in the same way when a business is carrying out that cleaning as a paid service for a customer.
- Doing it yourself with a mains-fed hosepipe or pressure washer - restricted under the current bans.
- Hiring a professional pressure-washing company to provide the cleaning service - expressly excepted in the published Thames Water and South East Water terms.
- Using stored rainwater, grey water or another non-mains source - treated separately by the water companies and generally not covered by the mains-water restriction.
What Thames Water says
Thames Water's temporary use ban began across its supply area on 23 July 2026. Its legal notice restricts domestic hosepipe cleaning, but exception 13 allows a hosepipe to clean paths, patios and other outdoor artificial surfaces where this is done as a service to customers in the course of a business. The notice says qualifying uses can continue without applying to Thames Water for permission.
What South East Water says
South East Water's restrictions began in Kent on 3 July 2026 and in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire on 25 July 2026. Its current guidance says that cleaning walls, windows, patios, decking, pathways and other artificial outdoor surfaces is restricted for domestic hosepipe users, with an exception where it is done as a service to customers in the course of a business.
How we work responsibly during the restrictions
Being allowed to work does not mean wasting water. We clean with mains tap water alone - no chemicals - and use professional equipment and a controlled technique to get the job done efficiently. We assess the surface, use only the water needed for the clean and tidy up before we leave.
Before you book
Water-company restrictions can change. The information here was checked against the official Thames Water and South East Water guidance on 30 August 2026. If your property is supplied by another company, or the terms have changed since this page was updated, check your supplier's current notice. Send Mark a photo and your postcode on WhatsApp if you are unsure - we can confirm the practical position before arranging the job.
Want a fixed price for yours?
Send a photo of your driveway or patio and your postcode on WhatsApp, and Mark will send you a fixed price the same day.
Common questions
Can a pressure-washing company clean my driveway during the hosepipe ban?
Yes. Current Thames Water and South East Water terms expressly except cleaning paths, patios and other outdoor artificial surfaces where it is done as a service to customers in the course of a business.
Can I pressure wash my own driveway during the hosepipe ban?
Not with a pressure washer or hosepipe connected to the mains under the current Thames Water and South East Water restrictions. The business-service exception applies when a professional company is providing the cleaning service, not when a householder does the job themselves.
Does a pressure washer count as a hosepipe?
Yes. The current South East Water guidance specifically says that equipment attached to a mains-fed hosepipe, including pressure washers, is covered by the restriction. Thames Water's notice defines a hosepipe as anything designed, adapted or used to serve the same purpose, which covers a mains-fed pressure washer.
Do you use chemicals to clean during the ban?
No. We use mains tap water alone and professional equipment, matching the pressure and technique to the surface so the job is completed efficiently.