What you need to know to clean your driveway, no matter what it is made of
What you need to know to clean your driveway, no matter what it is made of:
Asphalt:
If your driveway is made of asphalt the way you would clean it is by using a deck brush and water and an asphalt cleaner. You can get these items at most hardware stores. This combination should work on mot of your spots. If you have stains from petroleum based products like engine and transmission fluids, paints, solvents, etc. you will need something more, as these are generally very stubborn. So, with these types of spills, you will want to first treat them with a petroleum neutralizer. This is a chemical you can get at most hardware stores.
You will want to make sure that you also seal your asphalt every two to three years with an outdoor sealant. Doing this will protect your asphalt driveway from decay, and thus, cost you less money down the road. Most hardware stores will have someone knowledgeable about this process, and they can recommend what is the best sealant for your region, climate, etc.
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Concrete:
Concrete, while what most residents have as driveways, stains easily. So, you will want to protect it with an exterior grade sealer. This is your first line of defense against stains. If your concrete already has stains, then you will need to wash it using a commercial concrete cleaner. You should be able to find such a cleaner at your local hardware store. Then, just follow the label directions.
If you want to protect your concrete driveway from oil stains, then get some shallow metal pans, like disposable backing pans, and fill the bottom with sawdust, or some other absorbent material. Then place this pan under parked cars to catch any dripping oil. You then just need to replace the absorbent material of choice as necessary.
Stone and brick:
If your stone or brick is turning green from mildew, you will want to scrub it with long handled deck brush and one part chlorine bleach to ten parts hot water. If moss has started to grow along the edges, remove it using a moss-removing product like those found at most garden stores. Another suggestion to keep things from growing up in your brick or stone driveway is to use garden lime between the cracks. But, if you do this, wear gloves and a mask. For the most part, pressure washing, sweeping, or blowing will keep your brick and stone driveways clean. However, if your car is leaking fluids, you will likely want to use a shallow metal pan with absorbent materials under it as well.
Gravel:
Really, gravel driveways do not need a lot of cleaning, what they need more than anything is a good raking every now and again to even out the surface, and to keep the top layers circulating among the bottom layers. Also, but racking the driveway, you turn the little stones, and this will hide motor oil drips and dirt. However, to keep your gravel driveway looking good, be sure to weed the edges. Every two years you will want to put a fresh layer of gravel on top.
Most people do not think that they need to clean their driveways, however, with today's lifestyle, drive and walkways are an extension of the home. So, keep them swept, power wash if needed, and make sure to clean any stains or oil spots as soon as they occur.
