How to Maintain Your Driveway: A Complete Care Guide

Block paving is one of the easiest driveway surfaces to maintain because individual blocks can be lifted and replaced without disturbing the rest.

Annual tasks: - Brush kiln-dried sand into the joints to replace any that has been washed out - Remove weeds by hand or with a weed killer safe for paving joints - Clean with a pressure washer at low to medium pressure (never use maximum pressure as it erodes the jointing sand)

Every 3–5 years: - Re-sand all joints with kiln-dried or stabilising jointing sand - Apply a block paving sealant if not already done

Oil and stain removal: Act quickly — fresh oil stains respond well to cat litter (absorb), then a degreaser. Set stains are harder to shift and may need a specialist paving cleaner or professional treatment.

Resin bound is one of the lowest-maintenance driveway surfaces available. It is resistant to oil, petrol, and most common driveway contaminants.

Regular care: - Sweep or blow off leaves and debris regularly — wet leaves left over winter can leave staining - Pressure wash annually to restore the original colour and texture - Avoid using salt or grit in winter — it's not usually needed (resin bound drains quickly and rarely ices) and can affect the sealant

What to watch for: - Edge damage where the edging has lifted or the resin has chipped away — repair promptly before it spreads - Colour fade — UV-stable resins resist this, but very direct south-facing aspects can show some lightening over 10+ years

Tarmac is generally low maintenance but benefits from occasional attention:

Every 3–5 years: - Apply a tarmac sealant to protect the surface from UV degradation, water ingress, and oil contamination. Sealing significantly extends the life of a tarmac driveway.

Crack repair: - Small cracks can be filled with tarmac repair compound (available at builders' merchants). Larger cracks or spreading cracking indicates sub-base issues and should be assessed by a professional.

Oil spills: - Tarmac is more susceptible to oil damage than resin or block paving. Clean spills quickly with an absorbent then a degreaser. Note that petrol and diesel can soften tarmac if left.

Concrete is extremely durable and requires minimal maintenance:

- Pressure wash once or twice a year to prevent moss and algae build-up - Seal every 3–5 years with a concrete driveway sealant to resist staining and water ingress - Crack repair: Hairline cracks are cosmetic and normal in older concrete. Wider cracks (3mm+) should be filled with a flexible concrete repair product before they allow water ingress and frost damage

Avoid deicing salts on concrete — chloride-based salts cause surface spalling over time. Use grit or sand instead.

Winter: Clear snow promptly using a plastic shovel (metal can scratch resin and block paving). Use sand or grit rather than salt. Avoid parking on very new tarmac in the first winter after installation when temperatures drop below 0°C repeatedly.

Autumn: Clear leaves regularly — wet leaves are slippery, can leave stains, and block drains.

Spring: Inspect for any frost damage, joint erosion (block paving), or edge deterioration. This is the best time to carry out any repairs before summer.