Driveway
The largest hard surface most households own, and the one where the standard cleaning method removes the jointing along with the dirt.
Precautions
- Test on an inconspicuous area first
- Wear gloves
- Wear eye protection
- Dispose of responsibly
Start here
What this is, what goes wrong with it, and where CleaningHQ can help.
Made from
Concrete and stone paving, Sandstone, Slate, Cement and mortar
What tends to go wrong
Three different organisms treated as one green problem. Where they grow tells you more about the fix than any product does.
Why it is difficult: Moisture control and recurrence, Surface roughness
The green film outdoors, and NOT the same organism as the mould indoors. Where it grows is the diagnosis: shade, overhanging trees, or paving that does not drain.
Why it is difficult: Moisture control and recurrence
The stain where the trade guidance switches from water to solvent — and the switch brings a warning the water route does not have.
Why it is difficult: Why oil resists water, Penetration into fibres, Why old stains are harder
Hydrated iron oxide from corroding iron or steel. Distinguish a surface deposit, which cleans off, from active corrosion of the item itself, which does not.
Why it is difficult: Corrosion and passivation, Why old stains are harder, Adhesion and cohesion
The one stain where the first move is mechanical and the chemistry barely matters — and where the folk advice to let it dry first is not what the trade body says.
Not simply an oil. Used engine oil carries combustion soot and metal particles, which is why it marks darker and behaves worse than the oil that went in.
Why it is difficult: Why oil resists water, Penetration into fibres, Why old stains are harder
- Road salt· no method established yet
A white tidemark on boots, carpet and car sills that is also actively corroding whatever it is sitting on.
Why it is difficult: Chloride attack, Evaporative deposition
- Bird droppings· no method established yet
Acidic, alkaline in places, and gritty. On vehicle paint in sun it etches within hours, and what remains after washing is a mark in the finish rather than on it.
Why it is difficult: Why old stains are harder, Coating thickness
The science behind this: Porous and non-porous surfaces, Water purity and aggressiveness, Capillary absorption, Surface roughness, Etching versus staining
In detail
A driveway accumulates four things: general dirt, biological growth, oil from vehicles and, in winter, de-icing salt. A paving manufacturer's guidance handles them separately and it is unusually specific. Routine dirt goes with regular brushing; where colour is masked, scrub with warm water and washing-up liquid or an acid-free soap-based cleaner using a bristle brush, wash off ensuring all the soap is removed, and channel the run-off to drainage. Power washing is permitted and fenced — used to excess it damages the paving and shortens its service life, the lance must not be pointed down at the surface because that costs jointing material, and joints must be inspected afterwards and refilled, since empty joints are detrimental to performance. Oil penetrates readily: lift a spill promptly with an absorbent such as paper towel, cat litter, cornflour or talc, and do NOT wipe it, because wiping drives it in and spreads it. Acid washing is material-dependent — granites, basalts and slates are unaffected, sandstones vary and some turn orange from their iron, and limestones and marbles must not be acid cleaned. Sodium hypochlorite burns plants, so borders need protecting.
Related
- Driveway is made from Concrete and stone paving
- Driveway is made from Sandstone
- Driveway is made from Slate
- Driveway is made from Cement and mortar
- Driveway is commonly affected by Moss and lichen
- Driveway is commonly affected by Algae
- Driveway is commonly affected by Oil and grease on textile
- Driveway is commonly affected by Road salt
- Driveway is commonly affected by Rust
- Driveway is commonly affected by Mud
- Driveway is commonly affected by Engine oil
- Driveway is commonly affected by Bird droppings
Hacks and claims involving this
- Jet-washing the patio every spring Supported
Sources for this page
Sources
Cleaning & Maintenance Guidelines — Gardens & Driveways
Marshalls plc · Manufacturer documentation
Relied on for: That routine cleaning is brushing and washing-up liquid or an acid-free soap-based cleaner with run-off channelled to drainage, that power washing is fenced by angle and pressure with joints inspected afterwards, that oil is lifted with an absorbent and must not be wiped, that acid washing is material-dependent, and that sodium hypochlorite will burn or kill plants. (states this directly)
Verification: a person has read the passage relied on.
Read on — General Advice, Power Washing, Acid Washing, Seasonal Maintenance, Sealants, the per-stain sections and Organic Growth. Supports the claim as stated.
Last reviewed by a person on .