Our story

The Person Behind the Pressure Washer

ECR is run by Brad, a Seaham-based exterior cleaner who takes genuine pride in turning up, doing the job properly and leaving a property looking better than when he arrived. As a sole trader, every job is handled personally, from the first phone call to the final photo of the finished work.

Most of our work comes through recommendations from previous customers across Seaham, Sunderland and the wider County Durham area. That reputation is earned one gutter, one driveway and one UPVC frame at a time, and it's the reason we treat every job, big or small, with the same level of care.

Today we handle everything from a quick gutter clear to full driveway, roof, decking and UPVC refreshes, and our 34 Facebook reviews with a 100% recommendation rate show how that approach has been received.

What we stand for

The ECR Standard

• Punctual and polite. Our customers mention it in review after review, because it should be a given but too often isn't.
• Honest advice. If a job doesn't need doing yet, we'll say so rather than talk you into work you don't need.
• Fully equipped. Professional-grade jet washing and gutter vacuum equipment, matched to the surface being cleaned.
• Respect for your property. Care taken around plants, pets, parked cars and anything fragile nearby.
• Seen through start to finish. The same person, Brad, from first message to finished job, with one number to call throughout.

The service

Clearing Gutters Before They Cause Damage

Blocked gutters overflow onto brickwork, saturate render and can eventually find their way into your foundations. ECR clears gutters using a high-reach vacuum system operated from ground level, so there's no ladder resting against your fascias and no risk of standing on a roof that isn't built for it. It reaches up to three storeys, covering everything from bungalows to taller terraced and semi-detached homes.

Every job removes the leaves, moss, silt and the odd bird's nest that build up over a year, and we check the outlets and downpipes to make sure water is actually flowing away once we've finished. Where the system allows, a camera lets us show you what came out and confirm the gutter is genuinely clear, not just cleared at the visible edge.

• Gutters, downpipes and outlets cleared of leaves, moss and silt
• High-reach vacuum system reaches up to three storeys from ground level
• Camera inspection so you can see the gutter before and after
• Downpipes flushed and checked for free-flowing water
• No ladders resting against your brickwork or fascias

The service

Restoring Tired Block Paving and Patios

Driveways and patios build up moss, algae, weed growth in the joints and dark staining over time, especially in a coastal, damp climate like ours. ECR jet washes at a pressure matched to the surface, lifting dirt and growth without blasting out the jointing sand or chipping the edges of the blocks, which cheaper, careless washing can easily do.

Once the surface is clean, joints are re-sanded with kiln-dried sand to stabilise the blocks and slow down weed regrowth, rather than leaving bare joints for moss to move straight back into. For anyone after a longer-lasting result, sealing is available on request, giving a richer finish and making future maintenance easier.

• Block paving, flagstones, natural stone and concrete cleaned
• Pressure carefully matched to the surface to avoid damage
• Weeds and moss removed from joints, not just blasted over
• Kiln-dried sand reapplied to stabilise and finish the joints
• Optional sealing available for a longer-lasting result

The service

Moss Removal That Protects Your Roof

Moss traps moisture against tiles, works its way under them and, once it washes down, ends up clogging the gutters below. Rather than blasting a roof directly with a high-pressure jet, which can crack tiles or force water underneath, ECR removes moss by careful brushing and scraping, then treats the roof to slow regrowth.

Because we're up there anyway, it's a good opportunity to check ridge tiles, flashing and valleys for anything loose or damaged, and to flag it honestly rather than leave it for you to find out the hard way. Any debris that's come loose is cleared from the gutters before we finish, so the job is left properly tidy.

• Moss, algae and lichen safely removed from tiles and slate
• Gentle methods that protect tiles rather than blast them
• Roof treated to help slow down moss regrowth
• Ridge tiles, flashing and valleys checked while we're up there
• Debris cleared from gutters as part of the job

The service

Safer, Better-Looking Decking

Decking in shaded or damp corners of the garden picks up algae and green mould quickly, especially in the North East's weather, and it can turn genuinely dangerous underfoot long before it looks obviously dirty. ECR cleans decking at a low-to-moderate pressure and works along the grain, lifting grime and growth without splintering or gouging the timber.

Once cleaned, the gaps between boards are cleared of trapped leaves and debris that hold moisture against the wood, and, on request, we can apply a decking oil or preserver to protect the timber and slow the return of algae. Composite decking is cleaned using a gentler method suited to its finish, avoiding damage to the surface coating.

• Timber and composite decking cleaned safely
• Algae and green mould removed to reduce slip risk
• Gaps between boards cleared of trapped debris
• Cleaned along the grain to protect the timber
• Optional oiling or staining available after cleaning

The service

Bringing Tired UPVC Back to White

White UPVC yellows and greys over time from sun exposure, traffic pollution and algae, especially on north-facing or coastal properties. ECR uses a soft-wash method that's safe on seals, trims and glazing, with a cleaning solution that lifts ingrained grime and black mould spotting rather than scrubbing at the surface and risking scratches.

The service covers window frames, doors, fascias, soffits and cladding, and conservatory roofs can be included on request. Most customers are genuinely surprised by how much brighter the UPVC looks once the years of build-up are gone, it's one of the quickest ways to lift the whole front of a house.

• Window frames, doors, fascias, soffits and cladding cleaned
• Soft-wash method safe on seals, trims and glazing
• Removes algae, black mould spotting and general grime
• Conservatory roofs cleaned on request
• A noticeably brighter, whiter finish

The service

Guttering That Works Again

Guttering only does its job when it's watertight and running to the right fall. Years of weather, blockages and the odd failed bracket leave joints leaking, sections sagging and downpipes cracked, and once water starts running down the brickwork instead of away from it, damp and staining soon follow.

ECR repairs and replaces UPVC guttering, downpipes and fittings across Seaham and County Durham. Where a repair will genuinely last we'll repair, re-seal a leaking joint, refix a loose bracket or realign a run, and where a section is beyond saving we'll replace it, colour-matched to the rest of your guttering, or fit a complete new system.

• Leaks, splits and sagging sections repaired
• Loose or broken brackets and joints refixed or replaced
• Cracked or blocked downpipes replaced
• Full gutter runs and systems replaced where needed
• Realigned to the correct fall for proper drainage
• UPVC guttering colour-matched in black, white, brown or grey

The service

A Deep Clean for Hard Surfaces

Hard surfaces around the home slowly disappear under a film of algae, moss and ingrained grime, and a driveway or patio that's turned green and slippery can make the whole property look tired. Professional pressure washing strips all of that back, bringing block paving, flags, concrete, brick and tarmac back to how they should look.

ECR matches the pressure and technique to each surface, so the dirt lifts without pitting the concrete, stripping pointing or damaging the finish. Weeds and moss are cleared as we go, and for block paving the joints can be re-sanded afterwards to keep the blocks stable and slow down how quickly the green comes back.

• Driveways, patios, paths, steps and yards
• Concrete, block paving, flagstones, brick and tarmac
• Walls, garden features and hard landscaping
• Pressure matched to the surface to avoid damage
• Weeds, moss and algae cleared as we go
• Block paving re-sanded on request for a lasting finish