Driveway Maintenance: Keep It Looking New for Years
A properly installed driveway doesn't need much - but the small amount it does need makes the difference between a drive that looks new at ten years old and one that looks tired at three.
Resin bound
The easiest of all: sweep occasionally, rinse with clean water, and give it a light jet wash (fan nozzle, kept moving) once or twice a year. Deal with oil drips promptly with warm soapy water. Avoid dragging skips or scaffold across it.
Block paving
Sweep regularly - organic debris is what feeds moss. Top up kiln-dried jointing sand when it washes low, and pull or treat any joint weeds early before they establish. A professional clean, re-sand and seal every few years keeps it close to new condition and makes stains far easier to remove.
Tarmac
Clean oil spills quickly - oil softens bitumen. In hot weather, avoid sharp point loads like jacks and motorbike stands, or use a board to spread the load. Keep edges clear of soil so water can reach the drainage.
All surfaces: watch the water
Keep gullies and channel gratings clear of leaves, and take new puddles seriously - standing water is the earliest warning sign of settlement, and small fixes early are far cheaper than big fixes later.
