Driveway Care: Cleaning, Sealing and Maintenance

Block paving care

Block paving is prone to weed growth and moss establishing in the joints between blocks, alongside general grime and algae on the block surface itself. Pressure washing is the standard cleaning method, though it does displace jointing sand, so resanding the joints afterwards is an essential follow-up step, not an optional extra, to keep the blocks stable and stop weeds regrowing quickly in loosened joints.

Sealing block paving after cleaning is optional but genuinely useful, since it makes the surface easier to clean in future, helps prevent oil stains soaking in, and slows moss and weed regrowth in the joints. It typically needs reapplying every few years depending on traffic and weather exposure.

Tarmac driveway care

Tarmac tolerates pressure washing well and is generally low maintenance, though it can develop moss along edges and in shaded areas, and can crack or develop potholes over time, particularly around drainage points where water pools. Cleaning removes surface grime and moss but doesn't address structural cracking, which needs separate repair.

Tarmac sealing, sometimes called resurfacing or seal-coating, restores a deep black colour and adds a protective layer, and is worth considering on older tarmac that's turned grey and porous, since it also helps prevent water penetration that leads to cracking and potholes.

Concrete and resin driveway care

Concrete driveways can suffer from staining, particularly oil and rust marks, and algae growth in shaded or damp areas, both of which respond well to pressure washing, sometimes combined with a specific stain treatment for stubborn marks. Resin-bound driveways, increasingly common on newer properties, are generally best cleaned with lower pressure and a soft brush to avoid disturbing the resin surface, since excessive pressure can loosen the aggregate over time.

Both surfaces benefit from prompt attention to any staining, since oil and organic staining becomes progressively harder to remove the longer it's left to soak in.

What driveway care typically costs

Driveway cleaning is generally priced per square metre, typically around £3 to £6 depending on surface type and condition, with a standard driveway often running from roughly £80 to £250 in total. Sealing is usually priced separately, also per square metre, and adds a meaningful chunk to the cost but extends how long the clean stays looking good, often making it worthwhile on driveways with a history of quick regrowth.