Red block paving driveway clean, St Helens
A red herringbone driveway stained with dirt, algae and dark patches. Cleaned edge to edge to bring back a strong, even red with the grey border.
How often should a driveway be cleaned?
Most driveways need a proper clean every one to two years. Shady, damp or tree-covered drives go green faster and may need it every year.
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A simple rule of thumb
| Your driveway | How often |
|---|---|
| Sunny, open, little traffic | Every 2 years |
| Shady, north-facing or under trees | Every year |
| Block paving with weeds in the joints | Every 1 to 2 years, re-sanded each time |
| Resin or tarmac | Every 1 to 2 years, cleaned at the right pressure |
| Never been cleaned | Now, then as above |
Signs yours is due
- A green or black film that makes it slippery when wet
- Weeds and moss growing in the joints or along the edges
- Dark tyre marks and patches that won't sweep off
- The colour has gone flat and grey compared with the edges or under the bins
Why some driveways get dirty faster
Shade and moisture are the main reasons. A drive that stays damp under trees, beside a high fence or on the north side of the house grows algae and moss far quicker than one in full sun. Leaves and seeds from overhanging trees settle in the joints and rot down into soil that weeds love.
Keeping it cleaner for longer
- Sweep it every few weeks, especially in autumn, so leaves don't sit and rot.
- Pull weeds early, before the roots open up the joints.
- Have it treated after cleaning. We apply a biocide after a deep clean to slow regrowth.
- Keep block paving joints full. Re-sanded joints leave nowhere for weeds to take hold. Read why block paving needs re-sanding.
Recent driveways
Flagged driveway clean, Golborne
Concrete flags and a block-paved edge darkened with algae, moss and green staining. Pressure washed back to their original colours, with the red feature flags and block border bright again.
See more on our driveway cleaning page.
Questions
How often should block paving be cleaned?
Every one to two years for most homes. Block paving also needs re-sanding after a deep clean, which locks the blocks together and slows weeds coming back.
Can I just jet wash it myself?
You can, but a domestic jet washer is slow and easy to overdo. It can blast the sand out of block paving joints, scar tarmac or loosen resin. A rotary surface cleaner and the right pressure for each surface gives a more even finish.
What time of year is best?
Spring and summer, when the surface dries quickly and block paving can be re-sanded the same week. We clean all year round, though.
Is your driveway due a clean?
Photos of the area plus your full address and postcode are all we need. Most prices go out the same day.