Block-paved driveways are a great way of increasing curb appeal. As well as this, they’re also designed to stand the test of time, regardless of the amount of traffic they receive. However, much of this comes down to block paving maintenance, and in this article, we’ll be giving you a few basic tips for keeping your block paved driveway in pristine condition. Here are six ways in which you can do that effectively:
The faces of block paving look immaculate. To ensure they remain looking as good as the day they were laid, it’s important that you preserve their integrity by using a soft-bristled brush or broom to sweep up any dirt or debris. Whether you’re looking to clean your block-paved driveway or simply sweep away leaves and plant matter, a hard-bristled brush could end up doing more harm than good. You’ll be able to purchase soft-bristle brooms and brushes from garden centres, hardware stores and even your local supermarket.
Usually, brooms meant for indoor use are perfect if you’re looking to treat your block-paved driveway with a little more care and precision. In addition to protecting the face of the blocks, it can also prevent the premature loss of the sand that sits within the gaps. Hard-bristled brooms can be too harsh and penetrate deeper into crevices, such as the joining gaps between the blocks.
While a hard-bristled brush would be more likely to sweep out the sand, a soft-bristled brush will not. This way, your block-paved driveway can remain weed-free for longer, and it also means that you won’t have to brush new sand in between the blocks any sooner than you have to. Using a soft-bristled brush to sweep your block-paved driveway offers more benefits than one. So use it to maintain your block-paved driveway.
Block paving looks incredible, mostly because it’s free of weeds, moss and other debris. This is thanks to the sand that is brushed in between the blocks when it’s first laid. In order to ensure weeds and other plant matter remain at bay, kiln-dried sand needs to be removed and brushed back every two to three years, usually after it’s been jet-washed.
Kiln-dried sand is designed to remove moisture from the ground, removing the conditions needed for weeds and moss to grow. However, there are some instances where weeds can penetrate through and protrude through the sand and between the block paving. If this happens, you need to remove the weed as soon as possible, along with its roots.
This is especially important as considerable weed roots can cause blocks to move out of place, or even crack. This is the same for other plant matter, including moss. It’s imperative that these things are removed to prevent discolouration of the blocks and also to mitigate the risk of the weeds spreading, especially if they’re self-seeding. The same thing goes for non-related plant material.
If you spot any rubbish on your block-paved driveway, make sure you remove it as soon as possible. Not only does this maintain curb appeal, but it also protects the integrity of your driveway and helps to prevent tyre damage, as you know you’ll be putting your car onto a block paved driveway that is completely debris-free.
Block paved driveways are especially prone to oil and grease spots and stains, simply because it’s a driveway. Cars are notorious for dropping an array of fluids. In addition to oil and grease, rusty water can also cause a block-paved driveway to stain. This is more the case if it hasn’t been sealed after laying. If you notice oil or grease on the faces of the blocks, then you need to act quickly.
You can purchase oil and grease remover from hardware stores, DIY shops and even supermarkets these days. It’s incredibly easy to get your hands on. Simply use the solution as instructed by the manufacturer. If it doesn’t come off after one use, try again until the mark has been removed.
Once the stain has come out, make sure you seal your block-paved driveway, if it isn’t already. This will make it far easier to remove oil and grease stains in the future. It’s recommended that, as soon as you have a new block paved driveway laid, you have a bottle of specialist oil and grease cleaner ready in the shed or garage, so you won’t have to waste any time should the worst happen.
The faces of block paving are what give a block-paved driveway its wow factor. With a variety of colours available, it’s no wonder that homeowners want to keep it looking its best. One way of doing this is to keep it clean. When cleaning block paving, make sure you remove any nearby objects, such as plant pots and garden ornaments.
This enables you to clean the entire surface of the block-paved driveway. Once done, sweep the driveway, removing any debris and loose dirt that might be present.
This will help to prevent the block paving faces from being scratched. You can clean your block paving with a specialist cleaner, or by simply using plain water and a jet wash. Just remember to put some kiln-dried sand back into the block paving joints if you’ve washed it out.
This is an important aspect of maintaining a block-paved driveway. Pressure washing, or jet washing, a block-paved driveway will almost always result in the sand being removed from the joints in between the blocks. The sand is important because this is what helps to keep the weeds and moss at bay.
If you’ve pressure-washed your block-paved driveway, then make sure you push kiln-dried sand back into the gaps. You can purchase kiln-dried sand from hardware stores and DIY shops for a reasonable price. You may also wish to seal the driveway once the sand has been pushed in and left to settle.
It might take a couple of days to complete the process, as the sand that you pushed in one day may have settled to the bottom, leaving you with another gap to fill. Keep looking at it before putting any vehicles back on, just to make sure that the sand has filled all of the gaps properly. If you don’t do this, you risk weeds and moss coming through, which can look unsightly.
Sealing your block-paved driveway is essential to its upkeep. It helps to prevent stains and permanent marks from things like oil and grease. It also protects the faces of the block paving from UV rays, helping to protect its colour for decades to come. While a block paved driveway will usually be sealed upon laying, if yours is older, then you should consider resealing it yourself. You can purchase driveway sealer from most hardware stores and DIY shops for a reasonable price. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
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T&M Grab Hire Services Ltd is proud to offer block paved driveway installation for both residential and commercial clients across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Mansfield, Leicestershire, Chesterfield and nearby areas. For more details about our exceptional driveway services, don’t hesitate to contact our approachable and professional team – we’re always happy to help.
