Jet washing
Moss, algae and a greasy driveway: when a jet wash beats a full replace (Greater Manchester)
This time of year we get a lot of calls that start the same way: "The drive's gone green and slippy, does it need ripping up?" Quite often the answer is no.
Round Stockport and the rest of Greater Manchester we get a lot of rain, short days and plenty of trees. That's ideal for moss and algae. A drive can look tired and feel greasy underfoot while the base underneath is perfectly sound. Here's how we work out whether a jet wash will sort it, or whether you're better spending the money on a new drive.
Why drives go green and greasy in autumn
Moss and algae need damp, shade and something to hold on to. From October onwards the drive stays wet for longer, leaves sit on it and rot down, and the sun doesn't get round to dry it out. North-facing drives, the bit under a hedge and the strip next to the house usually go first.
Algae is the green or black film that makes paving slippy. Moss grows in the joints and in any rough spots. Lichen shows up as small pale or dark spots that stick hard to the surface. None of these mean your drive has failed. They just mean it needs a proper clean.
Signs a jet wash will do the job
If your drive is mainly dirty rather than damaged, a clean is usually the better spend. Good signs are:
- The blocks or slabs sit flat and don't rock when you walk on them
- Water runs off or soaks away after rain, with no big puddles
- The edges are still in line and haven't spread
- Weeds and moss are growing in the joints, not pushing blocks up
- The colour has gone dull or green but the surface itself isn't breaking up
A drive like that can come up a lot better than people expect. Have a look at the before and after photos from our own jobs to see what we mean.
Signs it needs more than a clean
Cleaning won't fix a base that's moved. If you're seeing any of these, a jet wash will make it look better for a while but won't sort the actual problem:
- Dips and sinking where the car parks
- Blocks that rock, or edges that have spread outwards
- Puddles that sit for hours after rain, or water running towards the house
- Tarmac or concrete with wide cracks that keep getting bigger
- Potholes or crumbling edges
Sometimes it's a repair, not a full replace. A few sunken blocks can be lifted and relaid, and loose slabs can be rebedded. Our guide on signs your driveway needs replacing goes into more detail.
What a proper clean involves
A jet wash isn't just blasting it with water. Done badly, it can strip the joints out of block paving, leave stripes, or damage resin and softer stone. This is how we do it:
- Clear and treat. Sweep off leaves and loose muck, and dig out the worst of the weeds and moss.
- Clean with a rotary surface cleaner. It gives an even finish with no stripes. We set the pressure for the surface: firmer for block paving, gentler for resin, tarmac and softer stone.
- Rinse down. We wash the muck off the drive and leave the area tidy.
- Re-sand the joints. On block paving, washing takes some of the joint sand out. We brush in fresh kiln-dried sand to lock the blocks back together.
- Seal if you want it. A sealant holds the sand in, slows down weeds and moss, helps with oil marks and brings the colour back out.
Any sunken blocks, loose slabs or lifted edges can be sorted on the same visit, before the re-sanding and sealing.
Oil stains and that greasy feel
A lot of the greasy feel in autumn is algae, and that comes off with a proper clean. Oil and fuel marks are different. They soak into the surface, so how much comes out depends on how long they've been there and what the drive is made of. We'll be honest about what's likely to shift before we start. Sealing afterwards makes future spills easier to deal with.
Can I just do it myself?
You can, and plenty of people do. A few tips if you're having a go:
- Keep the lance moving and don't hold a narrow jet close to the surface
- Go easy on resin and tarmac, as too much pressure can loosen stones or mark the surface
- On block paving, expect to re-sand afterwards or the weeds will be back quicker
- Check any cleaner you use is suitable for your surface and follow the label
Where we come in is the bigger drives, the really bad ones, and the jobs that need re-sanding, sealing or a few repairs as well.
Keeping it clean through winter
Once it's clean, a regular sweep to keep leaves off makes a big difference, especially in the shady corners. Keep gullies and channel drains clear so water can get away. Our winter driveway care guide has more on ice, salt and snow.
Get a straight answer
If you're not sure whether your drive needs a clean or a new one, send us a photo on WhatsApp on 07519 945 497 or call 0161 825 8053. We cover Stockport and across Greater Manchester. If a jet wash will do the job, we'll tell you that rather than sell you a new drive.
See more on our jet washing page, or fill in the form on our home page for a free quote. Mention TT10 for 10% off.
