Pond Cleaning Services
Professional pond care from a trusted local specialist
Professional Pond Cleaning Across Kent, London, Essex, Surrey & Sussex
A clean pond is not only easier to enjoy—it gives fish, plants, pumps and filtration the stable conditions they need. Sludge, leaves, uneaten food and fine debris build up gradually, so problems often develop long before the pond looks seriously neglected.
That Pond Guy provides careful, professional pond cleaning for garden ponds, koi ponds, wildlife ponds and larger water features. Every visit is tailored to the pond’s size, condition, fish stock, planting, access and filtration setup. Whether the pond needs a full deep clean, targeted maintenance or seasonal care, we focus on improving water quality while protecting fish and avoiding unnecessary disruption.
A careful start-to-finish service
Our Professional Pond Cleaning Process
A full clean acts as a practical reset for a pond. We do not use a one-size-fits-all checklist: the work is adjusted to the pond, the season and the welfare of the fish.
Assessment and fish care
We inspect the pond, filtration and access before work begins. Where fish need to be removed, they are transferred carefully into secure aerated holding tanks and visually checked while they are in our care.
Draining and sludge removal
The pond is drained only as far as the job requires. Sludge, leaves and accumulated organic waste are removed from the bottom and difficult areas rather than simply being stirred back into the water.
Surfaces, edges and planting
Suitable surfaces are cleaned without aggressive treatment that could damage a liner or fibreglass finish. Overgrown aquatic plants can be trimmed, divided, repotted or repositioned to restore a manageable balance.
Pumps, filters and UV checks
Accessible pumps, filters, UV clarifiers and pipework are cleaned and checked. If something is undersized, blocked, worn or using unnecessary energy, we explain the issue and the sensible options.
Safe refill and water treatment
Tap water is treated with an appropriate dechlorinator and the filtration is restarted carefully. Beneficial bacteria may be added where useful to support biological filtration after maintenance.
Final checks and practical advice
Fish are returned once conditions are stable. We check circulation and equipment operation, then explain the straightforward maintenance steps that will help preserve the result.
Not every pond needs to be fully drained or jet washed. A lighter maintenance clean is often the better option, and we will recommend the least disruptive method that properly addresses the problem.
More than a cosmetic clean
Problems We Can Address During a Pond Clean
A cleaning visit is often the best opportunity to understand why the pond has become difficult to manage and to deal with related issues efficiently.
Pumps, filters and UV upgradesImprove circulation, clarity, reliability and running efficiency where the existing system is struggling.
Blanketweed and persistent algaeReduce the underlying waste load and combine cleaning with a realistic long-term control plan.
Ongoing pond maintenanceArrange lighter scheduled visits so filters, plants and water quality remain manageable between major cleans.
Large ponds and lakesSpecialist maintenance, aeration and practical improvement work for larger or more demanding water bodies.
Diagnosing recurring problemsExplore common causes of cloudy water, green water, low flow, odours and difficult pond conditions.
Why pond owners choose That Pond Guy
Experienced, Careful and Straightforward Pond Cleaning
Pond cleaning is the core of our business. Our team has hands-on experience with domestic garden ponds, wildlife ponds, koi systems and heavily neglected ponds throughout the South East.
We are trusted by hundreds of pond owners and have more than 400 five-star reviews. Customers value clear communication, careful workmanship and honest advice—not unnecessary work or vague recommendations.
From £250 + VAT
Every quote reflects the pond’s size, condition, access, fish stock and equipment. We explain what is included before the work is booked, with no hidden extras.
Local pond cleaners across the South East
Pond Cleaning Service Areas
Choose the county page closest to your pond for relevant local coverage, nearby towns and examples of our work. If you are near the edge of our normal area, send us your postcode and we will confirm availability.
LondonSouth, North, East and West London, including Bexley and local borough-specific coverage pages.
EssexProfessional pond cleaning across the parts of Essex we serve from our Kent and South East base.
SurreyGarden pond, wildlife pond and koi pond cleaning across our covered Surrey service area.
SussexSelected locations across East and West Sussex, subject to access and travel requirements.
Real ponds cleaned by our team
Professional Pond Cleaning Before-and-After Results
These are genuine pond-cleaning projects, showing the difference careful sludge removal, filtration maintenance, plant work and a safe refill can make. Select any image to view it at full size, or explore our pond projects and latest work on Instagram.
Ashford, Kent
Heavy algae and murky water removed, with a much clearer and easier-to-enjoy pond afterwards.
Lewisham, London
Overgrown planting, debris and water-quality issues addressed while retaining the pond’s established character.
Sludge removal and water-quality restoration
A recent project showing how removing accumulated organic waste can transform clarity and appearance.
Straight answers before you book
Pond Cleaning Questions and Answers
These are the questions people ask us most often. If your pond is unusual, send us a few photographs and we will talk it through with you.
How much does pond cleaning cost?
The price depends on the size and depth of the pond, access, fish, planting, sludge, filtration and how waste can be removed. Send us your postcode and a few clear photographs and we can usually give you a useful first estimate.
Do you clean small garden ponds?
Yes. We clean small ornamental ponds, planted ponds and wildlife ponds as well as larger systems. Small ponds often need more careful hand work because plants, stones and access can be quite tight.
Do you clean koi ponds?
Yes. Koi ponds are a regular part of our work. We plan temporary fish holding, aeration, filter care and refilling around the stock and the existing system.
Can you clean large lined or natural ponds?
Yes. We work on large lined ponds and natural ponds as well as ordinary garden ponds. Larger sites may need staged work, specialist pumps or a maintenance plan, so photographs and approximate dimensions are especially helpful.
What is included in a pond clean?
The work may include removing leaves and sludge, cleaning agreed surfaces, trimming plants, checking pumps, cleaning suitable filter parts, refilling and restarting the system. We agree the useful level of work before the visit.
Will the fish need to come out?
Not always. If the water level needs to be lowered significantly or the bottom of the pond needs a full clean, moving the fish is usually the safest option. We use suitable temporary holding equipment and aeration when this is required.
Do you keep some of the original pond water?
Where it is useful and practical, we can retain suitable pond water. The right approach depends on its condition, the fish and the reason for cleaning. We avoid treating dirty water as valuable simply because it is old.
Will the pond be crystal clear straight away?
Many ponds look much better as soon as the work is finished. Fine particles can take time to settle or pass through the filter, so some ponds continue to improve over the following days.
Can you remove heavy sludge?
Yes. Heavy sludge is one of the most common reasons people contact us. We remove it carefully and also look at why it built up, such as leaf fall, poor circulation, overfeeding or a filter that is too small.
Can you help with blanketweed and green water?
Yes. We can remove heavy blanketweed during cleaning and check whether filtration, ultraviolet clarification, shade or maintenance need attention. The best answer is usually a combination of cleaning and prevention.
Can you find a pond leak during a clean?
Sometimes a clean reveals damaged lining, loose fittings or a clear wet area. Other leaks need separate testing and investigation. If the pond is losing water, tell us before the visit so we can plan the work properly.
Do you repair liners or fibreglass ponds?
Yes. We can advise on pond repairs, relining and pond fibreglassing where cleaning exposes damage or the existing finish has reached the end of its life.
Can you service the pump and filter?
We can clean and inspect many common pond pumps and filters during the visit. If equipment is worn out or poorly sized, we can explain the options and help with a suitable replacement or upgrade.
How often should a pond be cleaned?
There is no fixed rule. Some ponds need a thorough clean every year, while a well filtered pond with regular care may go much longer. Leaf fall, fish numbers, feeding, planting and filtration all make a difference.
What is the best time of year to clean a pond?
Spring and early autumn are popular, but the right time depends on the pond, fish and the urgency of the problem. Wildlife ponds need extra care around breeding seasons, and heavily stocked fish ponds should not be left to deteriorate.
How long does a pond clean take?
A small straightforward pond may take part of a day. A large, deep or heavily silted pond can take a full day or longer. Access, fish handling, plants and waste disposal all affect the time required.
Do I need to prepare before you arrive?
Please make sure we can reach the pond and tell us about awkward access, fragile surfaces, power points and water supplies. If you know where the pump, filter or drains are, that is useful too.
What happens to the waste from the pond?
Where possible, organic waste can be placed in a suitable area of the garden or composted. If waste must be removed from site, we discuss that in advance because volume and access can affect the job.
Which areas do you cover?
We are based in Kent and regularly work across Kent, London, Essex, Surrey and Sussex. For larger or specialist ponds, we can sometimes travel further by arrangement.
What should I send for a quote?
Send your postcode, several photographs of the pond and access, approximate length, width and depth, details of any fish, and a photograph of the pump and filter if you have one. Mention leaks, very heavy sludge or access through the house.
Help us price the job properly
What to Send for a Useful First Quote
A few useful details usually save a long exchange of messages and help us understand whether the pond needs a full clean or something more targeted.
- Your postcode
- Clear photographs of the pond and access
- Approximate length, width and depth
- Fish numbers and the type of pond
- A photograph of the pump and filter
- Anything important such as leaks or very heavy sludge
Contact Us
Please get in touch to discuss your pond needs and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
matt@thatpondguy.co.uk
07368 372129
Recent pond cleaning and filtration work
The service is supported by genuine local jobs and customer feedback. View pond cleaning and maintenance in Maidstone, a pond clean and new filter in Rochester, cleaning and filtration work in Grays and a completed pond clean in Abbey Wood.
For more first-hand experiences, visit our customer reviews and testimonials page. The county and town pages above explain local coverage and connect to further nearby work.






