Tarmac is generally low-maintenance compared to block paving, but it still gets green with algae and dotted with moss over time, especially in shaded or damp spots, and tarmac driveway cleaning has its own set of considerations that differ from paved surfaces, both in method and in what a realistic price actually looks like.
This guide covers moss and algae removal pricing, what a tarmac restorer treatment adds, and methods worth avoiding on older, weathered tarmac, so you know what to expect and what to ask before booking anyone.
Moss and algae removal on tarmac
A standard pressure wash clean for a tarmac driveway, removing surface dirt, moss and algae, typically costs £2.50-£5 per m², at the lower end compared to block paving since there are no joints to work into. For a typical driveway around 30-40m², that's roughly £100-£200.
Tarmac that's been neglected for several years, with moss established in surface cracks and along edges, may need a bit more time and sometimes a pre-treatment to loosen growth before pressure washing lifts it cleanly.
Tarmac restorer pricing
Beyond cleaning, tarmac restorer products (a specialist coating that re-blacks and revives the surface, often with a slight sheen) can bring an ageing, greying tarmac driveway back to looking close to new without the cost of resurfacing. This typically costs £5-£9 per m² on top of cleaning, so a medium driveway might run £250-£450 for a full clean-and-restore package.
It's worth it on tarmac that's structurally sound but visually tired (faded, grey, patchy), since resurfacing an entire driveway costs several times more than a restoration treatment, and restoration can often be repeated every few years to keep maintaining the look.
What to avoid on tarmac
Excessively high pressure held too close to the surface can strip the bitumen binder from the top layer of tarmac, leaving it looking patchy, lighter in colour, and more prone to loose stone chippings working free. This is a common mistake with inexperienced or rushed pressure washing.
Avoid harsh degreasers or chemicals not designed for tarmac on oil stains, since some can soften or discolour the surface; a tarmac-appropriate degreaser used correctly is the safer option for stubborn oil or fuel marks.
Getting the most from a tarmac clean and restore
Tarmac responds well to routine maintenance, and a driveway kept on a regular annual cleaning cycle rarely needs the more intensive restoration treatment, since moss and algae never get the chance to establish deeply. Letting several years pass between cleans is what usually pushes a driveway toward needing the full restoration package rather than a simple wash.
If your tarmac is genuinely reaching the end of its structural life, with widespread cracking, potholes or crumbling edges rather than just surface discolouration, it's worth getting an honest opinion on whether cleaning and restoring is still worthwhile or whether resurfacing should be the next conversation instead.
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