Last checked: 18 August 2026. If you are planning to clean a driveway, patio or other outdoor surface in London, the current hosepipe restrictions may leave you wondering whether pressure washing is still allowed.
The answer depends on who is carrying out the cleaning and which water company supplies the property. Thames Water currently restricts customers from using hosepipes and pressure washers for normal domestic exterior cleaning. However, its current legal notice includes an important exception where certain cleaning is carried out professionally as a service to customers in the course of a business.
Below, we explain the current London hosepipe ban pressure washing rules, what they mean for homeowners, and what you should check before booking professional exterior cleaning.
Is There Currently a Hosepipe Ban in London?
Yes. Thames Water currently has a Temporary Use Ban in force across its water supply area. The restrictions came into effect on 23 July 2026 and are currently stated to continue until further notice.
The restrictions include hosepipes, sprinklers and pressure washers. Thames Water states that customers should not use a jet washer or hose to clean vehicles, patios, paths, driveways, walls, windows or other outdoor areas unless an applicable exception applies.
You can check the latest information directly on the Thames Water Temporary Hosepipe Ban page.
Because water-use restrictions can be changed or removed, it is important to check the official water-company guidance rather than relying on an older article or social media post.
Can You Pressure Wash Your Own Driveway During the Hosepipe Ban?
If your property is supplied by Thames Water, the current restrictions generally mean that you should not use a mains-fed hosepipe or pressure washer yourself simply to clean your driveway, patio, path or another artificial outdoor surface, unless you qualify for one of the published exceptions.
For example, Thames Water distinguishes between mains water and some alternative water sources. Its legal notice explains that restrictions do not apply in the same way to water that is not supplied from the mains, such as collected rainwater from a water butt or water from a private borehole.
The rules can be different depending on the water supplier, so identifying your supplier is an important first step.
Can a Professional Pressure Washing Company Still Clean Your Property?
For Thames Water customers, the current legal notice contains a business-service exception that can allow professional exterior cleaning to continue.
The exception covers the use of a hosepipe to clean paths, patios and other outdoor artificial surfaces where the cleaning is carried out as a service to customers in the course of a business.
The full wording can be checked in the Thames Water Temporary Use Ban legal notice.
This distinction matters because a homeowner using their own pressure washer for routine cleaning and a professional company providing exterior cleaning as a commercial service can fall under different parts of the current rules.
Crown Clean London provides professional pressure washing in London, with the cleaning method selected according to the surface, its condition and the type of contamination present.
Does the Same Hosepipe Ban Rule Apply Everywhere in London?
No. You should not assume that every London or nearby postcode has exactly the same water supplier or restrictions.
Thames Water supplies a large part of London, but some properties in London and surrounding counties may be supplied by another company. Affinity Water, for example, currently has a Temporary Use Ban affecting its Central region, which includes parts of London as well as areas of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Essex.
Affinity Water states that businesses may continue using a hosepipe where it is directly required for their commercial activities, while other business use can remain restricted.
You can check its latest restrictions on the Affinity Water hosepipe ban page.
Before any job, the safest approach is to confirm the water supplier for the property and check its current restrictions and exemptions.
Why Are These Restrictions in Place?
The restrictions follow exceptionally dry conditions across England. London and Hertfordshire are among the areas currently declared to be in drought, with low rainfall, high temperatures and pressure on water resources contributing to restrictions.
The latest national situation can be followed through the UK Government and Environment Agency drought update.
Even where professional exterior cleaning qualifies for a business exception, that does not mean water should be used unnecessarily. Efficient cleaning should use an appropriate method for the surface and the condition of the area rather than simply using maximum pressure and water everywhere.
Can Professional Pressure Washing Damage a Driveway or Patio?
Pressure washing can produce excellent results on suitable surfaces, but more pressure does not automatically mean better cleaning.
The correct approach depends on factors such as:
- The type of paving or surface
- The age and current condition of the material
- Loose or deteriorated joints
- The amount of moss, algae or built-up grime
- Oil, tyre marks or other staining
- Nearby walls, doors, plants and vehicles
- Drainage and water runoff
For this reason, Crown Clean assesses the surface before deciding how it should be cleaned.
If you have a block paved, concrete or other suitable hard driveway, see our driveway cleaning service in London.
For garden paving and outdoor entertaining areas, see our professional patio cleaning service.
What Outdoor Surfaces Can Be Professionally Cleaned?
Depending on their material and condition, professional exterior cleaning may be suitable for many outdoor areas around a property.
- Driveways: including suitable block paving, concrete and other hard surfaces.
- Patios: paving that has become dirty, weathered or affected by organic growth.
- Paths and entrances: areas affected by grime, algae and everyday foot traffic.
- Walls and exterior hard surfaces: where the material is suitable for the proposed cleaning method.
- Natural stone: which may require a more cautious approach depending on the stone.
- Decking: where timber and composite materials need methods appropriate to the specific material.
Not every surface should be cleaned in exactly the same way. A professional assessment is particularly important for older, delicate or previously damaged materials.
What Should You Check Before Booking Pressure Washing During the Hosepipe Ban?
- Confirm your water supplier. Restrictions and exemptions can differ between suppliers.
- Check the latest official rules. Temporary restrictions can change at short notice.
- Send your postcode. This helps identify your location, coverage and potentially the relevant water supplier.
- Send clear photographs of the area. Photos make it easier to assess the surface, access and level of contamination.
- Ask what cleaning method will be used. Professional cleaning should be matched to the material rather than based purely on maximum pressure.
- Ask what is included in the quote. Make sure you understand the proposed cleaning and any limitations before work begins.
Professional Pressure Washing Across London
Crown Clean London provides exterior cleaning throughout London and selected surrounding locations including Wembley, Watford, Borehamwood, Chelsea, Potters Bar and Gerrards Cross.
Every property is different, so the first step is normally to send photographs of the area together with your postcode. This allows us to review the surface and recommend the most suitable approach.
You can also view examples of previous exterior cleaning work in our before-and-after cleaning gallery.
Need Pressure Washing During the London Hosepipe Ban?
The current hosepipe restrictions do not automatically mean that all professional exterior cleaning has to stop. For properties supplied by Thames Water, its current legal notice includes a specific business-service exception for qualifying exterior cleaning work.
Because restrictions are temporary and supplier-specific, we recommend checking the latest rules for your address before work is carried out.
If your driveway, patio or another outdoor surface needs professional cleaning, send Crown Clean London a few clear photographs and your postcode so we can assess the job.
Request a Crown Clean London exterior cleaning quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own pressure washer during the Thames Water hosepipe ban?
For normal domestic exterior cleaning, the current Thames Water restrictions generally prevent customers from using a mains-fed hose or pressure washer to clean patios, paths, driveways, walls, windows and other outdoor areas unless a published exception applies.
Can I hire a professional pressure washing company during the hosepipe ban?
Under the current Thames Water legal notice, an exception applies where specified exterior cleaning is carried out as a service to customers in the course of a business. Always check the latest rules for the water supplier serving the property before booking.
Can pressure washing companies clean driveways during the ban?
For Thames Water customers, its current business-service exception includes cleaning paths, patios and other outdoor artificial surfaces. A driveway would normally fall within the category of an artificial outdoor surface, but the current official notice should always be checked before work takes place.
Do hosepipe restrictions apply to water from a water butt?
Thames Water’s current legal notice distinguishes mains-supplied water from alternative sources such as collected rainwater. If using alternative water, check both the water-company rules and the equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
Does the Thames Water hosepipe ban apply to every London property?
No. It applies to customers whose water is supplied by Thames Water. Some London and surrounding-area properties may have another water supplier, so check the supplier for the specific address.
How can I get a pressure washing quote from Crown Clean London?
Send clear photographs of the area together with your postcode through our contact page. We can then review the surface, confirm coverage and advise on the next step.
Information in this article was last checked on 18 August 2026. Temporary Use Ban rules and exemptions can change, so always check your water supplier’s current official guidance.