Brits firing up the BBQ this summer are being warned that a few simple mistakes could be quietly wrecking their gardens — and leaving them facing repair bills of up to £4,500.
According to a garden expert, common habits such as placing BBQs directly onto patios or ignoring grease spills can cause long-term damage many homeowners don’t notice until it’s too late.
And with millions making the most of the warmer weather, the hidden costs could quickly add up.
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Searches for “garden BBQ” have surged in recent days as households across the UK dust off grills and outdoor furniture.
But Alex Essex, a garden specialist at PBSR CO, says many people are unknowingly damaging paving slabs, patios and outdoor surfaces every single weekend.
“Most people don’t realise how damaging BBQs can be to certain garden surfaces,” Alex said.
“It’s not just visible mess as heat, grease runoff and rust from the grill can all cause long-term wear and tear on garden surfaces.”
According to the expert, grease can seep into porous paving within minutes, leaving permanent stains that are difficult – and sometimes impossible – to remove.
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Meanwhile, intense heat from BBQs can weaken stone and concrete surfaces over time.
Alex warned that once damage properly sets in, homeowners may be left paying for professional restoration work or even full patio replacement.
“Depending on the material, new paving typically starts from around £125 per square metre and can rise to £300 for premium stone like granite or York stone,” he said.
“Even a modest 30 square metre patio can cost around £4,500 once installation and groundwork are included.”
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The expert said one of the biggest mistakes people make is placing BBQs directly onto patios without any protective barrier underneath.
Instead, he recommends using a heat-resistant mat, tray or spare paving slab to protect surfaces.
Other common BBQ blunders include letting grease spills sit too long, allowing ash to spread across patios, using rusted grills, and failing to seal patio surfaces properly.
Alex also warned against scrubbing grease stains aggressively.
“Always blot grease rather than scrub it, otherwise you’ll push it further into the surface,” he explained.
He recommends using bicarbonate of soda paste, washing-up liquid or a vinegar-and-water mix on fresh stains before they properly set.
And in severe cases, professional patio cleaners may be needed to restore damaged surfaces.
“That’s why prevention is so important,” Alex added.
“A few simple steps during BBQ season can save homeowners hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds in repairs.”
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