Learn how to clean, protect and maintain resin bound driveways, block paving, tarmac and tar and chip surfaces. Proper maintenance helps prevent weeds, stains, moss, drainage problems and avoidable surface damage.
A driveway is exposed to vehicles, weather, rainwater, dirt, leaves, fuel, oil and temperature changes throughout the year. Even a correctly installed driveway benefits from sensible maintenance.
Regular care does not need to be complicated. Sweeping away leaves, keeping drainage channels clear and dealing with stains quickly can make a noticeable difference to both appearance and long-term performance.
Maintenance requirements vary by surface. Resin bound driveways need different care from block paving, while tarmac and tar and chip surfaces should not be cleaned in exactly the same way.
Cleaning and sealing cannot correct serious movement, sinking, failed groundwork or poor drainage. If the driveway is moving, breaking up or holding significant water, it should be professionally assessed.
See our Driveway Cost Guide for an explanation of how groundwork and preparation affect the cost and lifespan of a driveway.
The right schedule depends on the surface, surrounding trees, shade, traffic and drainage. The table below is a practical starting point.
| Driveway surface | Regular sweeping | Thorough cleaning | Joint or surface care | Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resin bound | Weekly or as required | Once or twice yearly | Remove moss, debris and stains promptly | At least annually |
| Block paving | Weekly or as required | Once or twice yearly | Check joints and replace lost sand | At least annually |
| Tarmac | Regularly | Usually annually | Inspect cracks, edges and fuel stains | At least annually |
| Tar and chip | Light sweeping when necessary | Gentle cleaning only | Monitor loose stone and worn areas | At least annually |
| Concrete | Regularly | Usually annually | Inspect joints, cracks and staining | At least annually |
| Gravel | Remove leaves regularly | Rake and level as required | Top up low areas and maintain edging | Several times yearly |
Resin bound driveways are normally easy to maintain because the stone is fixed into the resin rather than left loose. Regular sweeping is one of the most important maintenance tasks.
Leaves, soil and organic debris can create a place for moss and weeds to establish. This is especially relevant beneath trees, beside garden beds or in shaded areas that remain damp.
For installation information, visit our Resin Bound Driveways page.
Block paving is durable and repairable, but it normally requires more joint maintenance than resin or tarmac. The spaces between the blocks contain jointing sand, which helps stabilise the paving.
Pressure washing, heavy rain and regular traffic can gradually remove jointing material. When joints become empty, blocks may become less stable and weeds can establish more easily.
A compatible block paving sealer may help reduce staining and stabilise joints, but sealing is not a substitute for correct preparation or maintenance. The paving should be clean, dry, stable and properly re-sanded before any suitable treatment is applied.
Unsuitable products or poor application can leave a patchy, slippery or discoloured finish. Manufacturer instructions should always be followed.
See our Block Paving Driveways service page.
Tarmac provides a practical and hard-wearing surface, but fuel spills, poor drainage, edge damage and movement in the base can shorten its lifespan.
New tarmac should be allowed to settle and harden properly. During warm weather, the surface can become slightly softer, particularly when newly installed.
A fine isolated crack may be suitable for sealing or local repair, while widespread cracking, sinking or breakup can indicate a deeper base problem. Simply coating a failed surface will not correct movement underneath.
Early crack treatment can reduce water penetration, particularly before winter. Larger failures should be cut out and properly reinstated rather than hidden beneath a temporary coating.
Learn more about our Tarmac Driveways.
Tar and chip, also known as surface dressing, has a different maintenance profile from resin, tarmac or block paving. The surface is created by applying a bituminous binder and embedding aggregate chippings into it.
Some loose chippings are normal following installation. Traffic and rolling help settle the aggregate into the binder, while excess stone may remain on the surface during the early period.
A further surface dressing may be considered when the binder has aged, the aggregate has become polished, isolated areas are losing stone or the surface is becoming increasingly porous.
The correct timing depends on traffic, base condition, exposure, drainage and the original system. Localised structural failures should be repaired before another dressing is installed.
Read about our Tar and Chip Driveways.
Act quickly, use a product suitable for the surface and test any cleaner in a small inconspicuous area before treating the entire stain.
Absorb fresh oil with a suitable absorbent material rather than immediately spreading it with water.
TreatmentUse a driveway-safe oil remover compatible with the particular surface and follow the product instructions.
PreventionRepair leaking vehicles and use a drip tray until the fault is corrected.
Absorb the spill promptly and keep ignition sources away.
TreatmentContact a professional if fuel has softened or damaged tarmac or bituminous surfacing.
PreventionDo not ignore leaking fuel systems, especially on tarmac and tar-based surfaces.
Hot tyres, tight steering and vehicle movement can leave marks on some surfaces.
TreatmentStart with mild detergent and water before using stronger compatible cleaning products.
PreventionAvoid stationary steering and repeated tight turning in the same area.
Metal furniture, skips, tools and vehicle components can leave rust deposits.
TreatmentUse a surface-compatible rust remover and test it first to avoid discolouration.
PreventionKeep rusty metal items off decorative driveway surfaces.
Wet leaves, fruit and berries can release tannins and pigments.
TreatmentRemove debris and wash with a mild compatible cleaner before staining becomes established.
PreventionSweep more frequently during autumn and beneath fruiting trees.
Shade, dampness and accumulated organic matter encourage growth.
TreatmentApply a surface-compatible moss treatment and remove dead growth carefully.
PreventionImprove drainage, sweep debris and reduce persistent shade where practical.
Contain wet paint without spreading it across a larger area.
TreatmentRemoval depends on the paint type and driveway surface. Strong solvents may damage resin or bitumen.
PreventionProtect the surface fully during decorating or building work.
Trees above the driveway can deposit sticky sap that attracts dirt.
TreatmentUse warm water and a compatible mild cleaner before trying stronger products.
PreventionRegular cleaning reduces buildup beneath overhanging trees.
Remove wet material carefully without smearing it into the surface.
TreatmentHardened cement can be difficult to remove without damage. Seek advice before using acidic products.
PreventionProtect driveways during building, rendering and landscaping work.
Winter can expose weaknesses in a driveway. Water enters cracks and joints, freezes, expands and can make existing damage worse. Clearing drainage before cold weather is one of the simplest preventative measures.
Repeated heavy use of salt may affect certain paving materials, joints, surrounding vegetation and some decorative finishes. Use a suitable product in moderation and check the surface manufacturer's advice.
Removing snow early and keeping the driveway well drained may reduce the amount of de-icing product required.
Newly installed tarmac and bituminous surfacing can be more vulnerable during very warm weather. Tight steering, heavy point loads and stationary vehicles can leave marks if the surface has not fully hardened.
Follow the installer's aftercare advice and avoid aggressive vehicle movements during the early settling period.
Summer maintenance usually focuses on dry dirt, dust, tyre marks, weeds and the effect of prolonged sunlight or heat on certain materials.
Well-intentioned cleaning can cause damage when the wrong equipment, pressure or chemical is used.
A concentrated jet can remove jointing sand, loosen aggregate and damage vulnerable edges.
Strong bleach can discolour some surfaces and damage plants. Use only an approved compatible cleaner.
Petrol and diesel can soften and damage bituminous surfaces if left untreated.
Turning vehicle wheels while stationary places concentrated stress on tarmac, resin and tar and chip.
Block paving joints should be maintained after cleaning to support the blocks and reduce weed growth.
An unsuitable sealer can turn cloudy, peel, trap moisture or leave the surface slippery.
Standing water can encourage algae, weaken construction layers and worsen cracks during winter.
Cleaning or coating cannot repair a failed base, widespread movement or serious sinking.
Walk over the driveway at least once each year and inspect it after severe weather or heavy construction traffic.
Professional advice is recommended where the driveway has widespread cracking, repeated sinking, large areas of loose material, failed drainage, fuel damage or movement around manhole covers and thresholds.
Early repairs can be more economical than waiting for water and vehicle traffic to turn a localised fault into a larger failure.
Driveways and surfacing across Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex.
Freephone:
0800 861 1678
Email:
sales@paving-services.uk
Most driveways benefit from regular sweeping and a thorough wash once or twice each year. Driveways beneath trees, in shade or beside planting may need more frequent cleaning.
Normally yes, but use a fan spray, moderate pressure and a sensible distance. Keep the nozzle moving and avoid directing a concentrated jet at edges, joints or repairs.
Yes, if jointing sand has been removed. Allow the block paving to dry fully and brush suitable kiln-dried sand into clean, dry joints.
Sweep away soil and organic debris, maintain the jointing sand and remove young weeds before they establish. Most weeds begin in material collected within the joints rather than growing through a properly built sub-base.
Absorb fresh oil immediately, then use a compatible driveway oil remover. Test cleaning products in a small hidden area and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Not always. A suitable professional treatment may help protect certain ageing surfaces, but cracks, drainage problems and loose areas should be repaired first.
Some loose chippings are normal after installation. Traffic and rolling help embed the stone, while genuinely excessive loose material can be swept carefully after the initial settling period.
Use only a product suitable for the paving surface and surrounding planting. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and prevent runoff into drains or ponds.
Excessive de-icing salt can affect some materials, joints and nearby plants. Use a suitable product sparingly and remove snow promptly where practical.
Persistent dampness, shade, poor airflow and organic debris encourage moss. Cleaning alone may not solve the problem unless drainage and surrounding conditions are also improved.
No. Cleaning can reveal damage but does not repair it. Cracks should be assessed and treated appropriately before water penetration makes them worse.
Widespread sinking, severe breakup, repeated repairs, major drainage failure and movement across large areas can indicate that reconstruction may be more suitable than another local repair.
Send us photographs of the surface or arrange a free site visit. We can advise whether cleaning, local repairs, resurfacing or a new installation is the most practical option.
Good maintenance begins with water being managed correctly. See our driveway drainage guide for information about standing water, falls, channels, permeable construction and soakaways.