Your driveway is the first thing people see when they pull up to your property, and in Exeter's wet climate it doesn't take long for a clean drive to turn into a mossy, weed-riddled, oil-stained mess. Whether you've got block paving, tarmac, concrete slabs or resin bound, professional driveway cleaning can make a dramatic difference — and it protects the surface from long-term damage too.
What We Cover
Why Driveways Deteriorate So Quickly in Devon
Devon's combination of high rainfall, mild temperatures and damp air means driveways here get dirty faster than almost anywhere else in the country. While a hard winter frost would kill off moss and algae naturally, our mild Devon winters let biological growth thrive year-round.
On top of the biological stuff, driveways collect oil drips from vehicles, tyre marks, leaf tannin stains, mud from garden beds and general road grime. All of this builds up layer on layer, and within a couple of years a driveway that was laid looking immaculate can look tired, stained and neglected.
Moss & Algae
The number one issue on Exeter driveways. Moss fills joints in block paving and algae turns concrete and tarmac green and slippery. Shaded driveways and those under trees are worst affected.
Weed Growth
Weeds pushing through block paving joints is one of the most common complaints we hear. Once established, weeds widen the gaps and destabilise the blocks — making the problem worse over time.
Oil & Vehicle Stains
Oil drips, brake dust and tyre marks are inevitable on any used driveway. These petroleum-based stains soak into porous surfaces and become harder to remove the longer they're left.
Leaf Stains & Tannin
Fallen leaves left sitting on a driveway release tannins that stain the surface brown or orange. Devon's abundance of mature trees means this is a major issue every autumn.
Cleaning Different Driveway Surfaces
Every driveway surface needs a slightly different approach. Using the wrong method or too much pressure can cause real damage — especially on block paving where blasting out the jointing sand is a common DIY mistake.
Block Paving
The most popular driveway surface in Exeter and the one we clean most often. Block paving looks fantastic when clean but deteriorates quickly — moss fills the joints, weeds take root, and the blocks lose their colour under layers of grime. Our process involves removing all weed and moss growth, cleaning each block with a rotary surface cleaner at the right pressure, then re-sanding the joints with kiln-dried sand to stabilise everything and inhibit regrowth. The difference is night and day.
Tarmac & Asphalt
Tarmac driveways are common across Exeter, particularly on older properties. They're durable but turn green with algae surprisingly quickly in Devon's climate. We clean tarmac at moderate pressure with a surface cleaner — enough to remove all biological growth and staining without damaging the surface. Tarmac can also be sealed after cleaning to restore its black colour and protect against future staining.
Concrete Slabs & Poured Concrete
Concrete is robust and handles pressure washing well. It's often the most dramatic transformation — heavily stained concrete driveways can look completely different after a thorough clean. Oil stains on concrete benefit from pre-treatment with a degreaser before pressure washing.
Resin Bound & Resin Bonded
Increasingly popular on newer Exeter properties. Resin surfaces need gentler handling — we use lower pressure and wider spray patterns to avoid dislodging the aggregate. The good news is that resin driveways are less porous than block paving or concrete, so they tend to stay cleaner for longer between professional cleans.
Common Mistake:
Using a narrow lance on block paving at high pressure blasts the jointing sand out from between the blocks. This destabilises the paving, allows more weed growth, and can cause blocks to shift and sink. Always use a rotary surface cleaner for block paving — it gives an even clean without stripping the joints.
Our Driveway Cleaning Process
A proper driveway clean involves more than just pointing a pressure washer at the ground. Here's what happens when we clean a driveway in Exeter:
Survey & Preparation
Check the surface type, identify any problem areas (oil stains, heavy moss, damaged pointing), and plan the approach. We move vehicles, pots and anything else off the driveway.
Weed & Moss Removal
All weeds scraped out from joints and edges. Heavy moss growth removed before washing to prevent it clogging drains and making a mess.
Pre-Treatment
Biocide applied to kill algae at the root. Oil stains treated with specialist degreaser. This prep work is what makes the difference between a clean that lasts and one that grows back within weeks.
Pressure Washing
Professional rotary surface cleaner used across the whole area for even, streak-free results. Pressure adjusted for the surface type. Edges and detail areas finished with targeted lance work.
Re-Sanding (Block Paving)
For block paving, we brush kiln-dried sand into all joints once the surface is dry. This locks the blocks in place and helps prevent weed regrowth.
Clean Up
All debris cleared, drains checked and flushed, and everything left tidy. We always leave the property as we'd want to find it ourselves.
Driveway Sealing — Is It Worth It?
Sealing is an optional extra that we're often asked about. The honest answer is: it depends on the surface and what you want from it.
Block Paving Sealing
For block paving, sealing can be a good investment. A quality sealant locks the jointing sand in place (preventing weed growth and ant disturbance), enhances the colour of the blocks, and makes the surface much easier to maintain going forward. It adds cost upfront but saves time and money on future cleaning and weed control. We use a satin or matt finish depending on your preference — nobody wants a driveway that looks like a wet car park.
Tarmac Sealing
Tarmac can be sealed to restore its dark colour and protect the surface. This is particularly worthwhile on older tarmac that's faded to grey. It gives it a fresh, well-maintained look and adds a layer of protection against oil stains and weather damage.
When Sealing Isn't Necessary
Concrete driveways and resin surfaces generally don't need sealing. Concrete is robust enough on its own, and resin driveways already have a sealed surface. We'll always give you honest advice on whether sealing is worthwhile for your specific driveway — we'd rather you spend the money where it makes a real difference.
Driveway Cleaning Costs in Exeter
Driveway cleaning costs vary based on the size of the area, the surface type, how dirty it is and whether you want sealing. Here's a guide for typical Exeter properties:
Cleaning Only
Sealing (After Cleaning)
We always quote after seeing the driveway in person. Every job is different, so we'd rather give you an accurate price than a rough guess. We also offer discounts when combining driveway cleaning with other services like patio cleaning, render washing or gutter clearing.
Keeping Your Driveway Clean Longer
After a professional clean, a few simple habits will keep your driveway looking good for longer:
- 1. Clear leaves regularly in autumn — Leaves left on the surface hold moisture, stain the drive and encourage moss. A quick sweep or blow once a week during leaf fall makes a big difference.
- 2. Deal with oil spills quickly — Cat litter or an absorbent pad on a fresh oil spill stops it soaking into the surface. The longer oil sits, the deeper it goes and the harder it is to remove.
- 3. Pull weeds early — A weed pulled when it first appears takes two seconds. Left to grow, it widens the joint, drops seeds and creates ten more weeds. Stay on top of it.
- 4. Keep drainage clear — Blocked drains or poor drainage means water sitting on the surface, which accelerates moss and algae growth. Check your drain grates aren't silted up.
- 5. Book a maintenance clean annually — A light annual clean prevents build-up from getting out of hand and keeps things looking consistently good. It's cheaper and quicker than letting things go for three years and then needing a heavy restoration clean.
Planning to Sell?
A clean driveway is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make when selling a property. Estate agents consistently say that kerb appeal — and the driveway is a huge part of that — directly affects how much interest a property gets. For a relatively small outlay, you get a big visual impact.
Want Your Driveway Looking Like New?
We clean driveways across Exeter, Exmouth, Newton Abbot, Dawlish, Topsham and the wider Devon area. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.
Get a Free Quote