Pristine Clean Driveway or a driveway that resembles the aftermath of a mud wrestling competition, which would describe yours? The fact you are here reading our blog probably means your driveway has seen better days. Unsightly stains, oil patches, algae or loose stones can make your driveway look less than perfect. What can you do to restore life to your driveway? What surfaces require special attention? What is the best way to clean a driveway? Let our blog answer your questions.
Why clean your driveway?
Cleaning your driveway doesn’t just increase property value and curb appeal, nor does it keep your home looking pristine and presentable. Regularly cleaning your driveway can help to keep it safe and preserve the surface long term. Green algae and other stains can easily build up along leaves and other debris creating a slippery surface and dangerous surface. Cleaning your driveway by yourself or professionally is an essential part of home maintenance.
What is the best way to clean my driveway?
The most popular method is to use a pressure washer (or sometimes called a jet washer like this great little one from kracher ), this allows you to use high-pressure water to blast away dirt, grime and debris. Marshalls Driveways had a great blog with a simple method, they recommend by firstly clearing your driveway of any objects like bins, bikes and of course your cars. Sweep the driveway to remove larger debris. Next fire you can begin pressure washing, making sure there is adequate drainage. If your driver is larger picture it in sections in your head and work methodically to clean the whole area. Be careful to avoid any damaged areas, and take extra care with decretive edge brick cleaning as high pressure cleaning can damage your driveway if not careful. Finally, if there are oil stains, black spots or harder stains a simple solution of cleaning detergent or soap and a firm brush can help to move these old stains.
When to use a professional driveway cleaning service?
Cleaning the driveway yourself can produce some good results, but sometimes your driveway might be too big for your equipment to reach, there might be damaged areas you are concerned about and despite your best efforts grime and algae may come back sooner than you expected. A professional driveway cleaning service can help tackle these problems. At Pristine Clean we use a variety of professional pressure washing tools that are much stronger than those used at home. This combined with our years of knowledge can help us clean any driveway from delicate and small to large and covered in oil stains. Whether your driveway is made of natural stone, crazy paving or brick we have the right tools to clean and treat your driveway leaving it pristine for years to come.
Environmentally Friendly
Many of our customers are environmentally conscious and so are we! So when it comes to driveway cleaning we make sure to put our best “green” feet forward. Our professional driveway cleaners our cleaning process is designed not to waste water. We use environmentally friendly chemicals which can be washed away down the drain without harming the environment. These chemicals help us even to treat driveways covered in black spots or algae, while not damaging the environment, they are safe for plants, pets, and local wildlife. You can trust Pristine Clean to not only clean the surface grime off your driveway but also help to protect our environment.
Protects and Preserves
Our professional service guarantees to protect and preserve your driveway. Our deep cleaning process removes not just the debris but much of the natural algae, lichen and other organisms that discolour or damage your driveway over time. No matter your external surface type, we will ensure to do our best to clean, seal, sand and preserve your driveway where we can. These professional steps keep your driveway clean for longer.
Tarmac driveway cleaning in Northwich
Many of our customers both in Northwich and surrounding areas, especially on newly built estates, have tarmac driveways. These can look smart, but do they still need to be cleaned like a paved driveway? Simply put yes. Nature is clever and can grow almost anywhere, a regular cleaning of your tarmac driveway will keep the surface in optimal condition. Our commercial jet washing tools with their rotary surface cleaner are the perfect tool for this. Looking to do it yourself? We suggest again using a home pressure washer and starting from the highest point on the driveway working methodically to the lowest point to help with draining. If you have rust stains, oil stains or other stubborn stains we again recommend to use an appropriate detergent and a hard brush working on the stain and then going over it again.
Cleaning Sealed Driveways
To help prolong driveways through the years many people opt to have them “sealed.” If you have a sealed driveway what do you need to remember when cleaning it? We have 3 tops tips for you!
- Pressure wash…. but gently: Feel free to use your pressure washer but make sure it is set to a gentle setting. High-pressure jet washing machines can actually remove the sealant from the driveway. Unsure if your pressure washer can be adjusted, why not opt for a professional clean from our team?
- If using a detergent find something pH-Neutral. Like high pressured water the wrong chemical can remove sealant from a driveway. Make sure to consult with any information from your driveway sealant paperwork to find the best chemicals.
- Think Little and Often: Rather than opting for a yearly blast with the pressure washer, when it comes to a sealed driveway the best way to care for it is by brushing it regularly with a soft brush and quickly wiping clear any fluids or solids that could stain the surface such as oil or rusty water.
Unsure the best way to proceed? Let the professionals do it for you. Get a free quote by clicking here:
Is Patio Cleaning any different?
Yes. While there are similarities, patio cleaning can be very different from driveway cleaning due to the different types of surfaces used on each. Patios are often made from slabs or tiles, these and the way they are placed and often covered in sand make them more delicate than tarmac or concrete surfaces. These surfaces may require gentler cleaning methods and specific treatments to avoid damage. For instance, using a high-pressure washer on patio tiles might dislodge or crack them, whereas driveways can usually withstand more pressure. Additionally, patios often have more intricate patterns and grout lines that need careful attention to prevent erosion or discolouration. Hence, while both surfaces benefit from regular cleaning make sure you use the correct technique for the surface type. Ask yourself is this a delicate or hard surface?
What about Block Paving Cleaning?
Block paving cleaning or brick cleaning can be slightly different, why? Block paving often can have weed growth and moss between the blocks or cracks. This can make it look untidy and even become a slip hazard. So cleaning block paving typically involves more than just pressure washing; it often requires removing by hand weeds and debris first then treating the areas between the blocks to prevent weeds from returning. As the blocks are often balanced with sand, high pressure washing could easily dislodge this and cause the blocks to become unsafe or uneven. So when cleaning your block paving make sure to take extra care with each stone, and the cracks and supporting sand.
Why get a professional cleaner?
If you have read this far you may now be nervous attempting to clean your driveway by yourself. Fear not a professional cleaner takes all these concerns in mind when they offer a thorough and effective clean that your own DIY methods may not be able to achieve. With specialised equipment and expertise, our professional team of cleaners tackle tough stains and handles various surfaces with care. We also provide eco-friendly services and make sure your are left with a Pristine Clean Driveway.
How much does it cost to pressure wash a driveway in the UK?
As each driveway is different and has its own set of challenges we recommend contacting us for a free quote. If you haven’t got time for a chat on the phone (we do love to talk) then pop your details and a few pictures in our quote form along with your address and we will get back to you lightning-fast with a quote!
