For most homes, a professional driveway clean every one to two years keeps it looking smart and stops small problems turning into big ones. But the right interval depends on where you live and how the driveway is built.
Signs your driveway is due a clean
- Green or black patches, especially in shady spots or near the lawn
- Weeds and moss growing in the joints between blocks
- Oil drips, tyre marks or rust stains that won't shift with a brush
- The surface looks dull and patchy compared with when it was laid
- It feels slippery underfoot after rain
What affects how quickly it gets dirty
Shade and damp are the big ones. A north-facing driveway under trees grows algae far faster than one in full sun. Overhanging branches drop leaves and sap, and block paving with open joints gives weeds somewhere to root. Heavy use, from cars, bins and bikes, adds oil and grime.
How to keep it cleaner for longer
Brush it regularly, especially in autumn, so leaves don't sit and rot. Deal with oil spots quickly. After a deep clean, having block paving re-sanded and sealed makes a real difference: the sealer binds the jointing sand, stops weeds coming back and makes stains much easier to wipe off.
If you're not sure whether your driveway needs a clean or just a sweep, send us a photo and we'll give you an honest answer.