A clean driveway transforms the appearance of a property's exterior and removes the biological growth that can cause long-term surface damage if left unaddressed. The process is broadly the same for different driveway surfaces, with some variations in the cleaning method and products appropriate for each material.

Preparation

Before washing, remove all loose debris from the driveway surface. Sweep away leaves, grit, and accumulated dirt with a stiff broom. For block paving with weeds growing in the joints, remove the weeds by hand or with a weed killer applied before the cleaning session, allowing time for the weeds to die back before washing. Removing loose material before pressure washing prevents it being blasted into corners or onto adjacent surfaces.

Treating Moss, Algae, and Lichen

For surfaces with significant biological growth, applying a biocidal cleaner before pressure washing produces significantly better results than pressure washing alone. Apply a patio and driveway cleaner or diluted bleach solution to the affected areas, allow it to dwell for the recommended period to kill the growth at the root, and then wash off with the pressure washer. This two-stage approach removes the growth more completely and prevents rapid regrowth.

Pressure Washing

A pressure washer with a surface cleaner attachment produces the most even clean on flat driveway surfaces. The surface cleaner uses a rotating nozzle within a circular hood, which delivers consistent cleaning pressure across the full surface rather than the streaks and fan marks that a hand lance can create. Work systematically in parallel strips from one end of the driveway to the other, ensuring adequate overlap between strips.

For block paving, take care not to use excessive pressure that displaces the jointing sand. After cleaning block paving, re-sand the joints with kiln-dried jointing sand to restore stability and prevent weed growth.

Surface-Specific Considerations

Tarmac

Tarmac can be washed with a standard pressure washer. Avoid prolonged high-pressure application in one area as this can begin to erode the surface aggregate on older or softer tarmac.

Concrete

Concrete is robust and can be cleaned with a surface cleaner at full pressure. Stubborn staining may need a pre-treatment with a specific concrete cleaner.

Resin bound

Resin bound driveways can be pressure washed at moderate pressure. The solid resin surface is resistant to biological staining and generally easier to clean than porous surfaces.

Summary

Clean a driveway by sweeping loose debris, treating biological growth with a biocide, and pressure washing with a surface cleaner attachment. Re-sand block paving joints after washing. Apply a surface sealer after cleaning for long-lasting protection. Different surfaces tolerate different pressure levels; resin bound and concrete are the most robust, while older tarmac requires a lighter touch.