Driveway Cleaning And Sealing Cost

How Much to Clean a Driveway?

The average cost of cleaning and sealing a driveway is typically around £300 for an average sized driveway. The average price varies depending on location and also how much the trademan charges per square metre. As mentioned, the process will typically cost between £8.50 and £12.50 per square metre.

How long will it take to complete?

The overall time to complete the job will be a few days as the tradesmen will need to apply a chemical fungicide and this will need to be left for a few days to dry in order to prevent weed growth.

Driveway Cleaning Prices

Below are some estimated costs of hiring a tradesman to clean and seal a driveway:

What the Job Entails

Cleaning and sealing a driveway has several distinct stages.

If you just want your driveway cleaned, only the first steps will apply to your job. However, it's important to consider whether the driveway sealing cost will save you money in the long run.

Driveway cleaning, sanding and sealing will typically cost between £8.50 and £12.50 per square metre. but the prices quoted will vary with location, the type of sealant and the size of the drive. The type of sealant used makes a big difference to the price, the most expensive of the sealants on offer is Resiblock, but this product comes highly recommended.

Don’t bother paying to get your driveway sealed during the winter, there is simply too much moisture at ground level during the winter and the block paving won’t have the chance to fully dry out.

Applying expensive sealant products like Resiblock is a waste of money when the blocks are damp as the seal will not last. In damp conditions, even if the surface appears dry, it will still be holding moisture deep inside the material.

So rather than sealing the paving against moisture, you will actually be sealing the moisture inside. Beware of any companies using pressure tactics to convince you to carry out this work at a reduced price during the winter months!

1. Preparation

The first thing a professional will do is inspect the driveway to check whether the cleaning and sealing process is safe to go ahead.

This will involve looking for issues like cracks that might need close attention, as well as moving objects from the driveway and giving it a thorough sweep. This will prevent debris getting caught in the sealant or slowing the job down.

On that point, since you may be paying someone to do this work for you on an hourly basis, it makes sense to clear as much from the driveway yourself as possible to save money.

2. Cleaning

Cleaning a driveway will involve using a pressure washer to remove all traces of weeds, algae and any old stains. This will also get rid of any old sealant.

If there are stubborn stains on your driveway, it may be necessary to treat them with chemicals to break them down. Extra work like this may add to the pressure washing prices quoted by your tradesman.

Similarly, driveway repairs can delay the job and increase costs. Bear this in mind if your driveway is in poor condition.

After the driveway surface has been left to dry for 24 to 48 hours, it can then be sealed.

3. Sealing

The type of sealer used will depend on the type of material your driveway surface is made from.

There are three common types of driveway sealant to be aware of:

• Water-based
• Polyurethane
• Acrylic
• Bitumen

A professional will be able to advise which sealer is best for your driveway and ensure the sealing process doesn't damage your driveway.

If required, before the sealer is applied, joints are refilled with kiln-dried sand and all excess sand is removed from the surface.

Then the sealer is applied using a brush, roller or squeegee, as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Multiple coats may be necessary to get an effective seal. Afterwards, the driveway will need to dry for up to 48 hours.

Again, your tradesman can advise how long the drive needs to be kept clear and how best to maintain it over time.

Benefits of Driveway Cleaning and Sealing

Cleaning and sealing your driveway will help keep it in good condition.

Given that the cost of block paving, for example, is around £1,800 on average, it's more economical to look after your existing drive for as long as possible instead of having to replace it.

Why Should I Get My Driveway Cleaned?

Driveways receive a lot of foot and vehicle traffic. Over time, this can result in visible damage and the driveway itself becoming hazardous.

There are several key reasons to have your driveway cleaned:

• Reduce the possibility of damage from debris, algae and lichen build-up.
• Prevent the driveway surface from becoming slippery.
• Increase the lifespan of your drive.
• Improve the overall aesthetic of your drive.

Generally, the driveway cleaning cost will be balanced by avoiding other costs such as extensive driveway repairs or a full replacement.

Why Should I Seal My Driveway?

Sealing a driveway will further increase its longevity and the drive will look its best for longer.

Benefits of driveway sealing include the following:

• Protect the driveway from the elements.
• Protect against stains such as car oil.
• Binds any jointing sand to prolong the lifespan of the surface.
• Helps to stop the growth of algae and weeds.
• Reduces the level of fading and wear.
• Preserves the colour and aesthetic of the driveway.

It's recommended that you get your driveway sealed every 2 to 3 years, depending on the condition of the surface.

However, a freshly laid drive should not be sealed straight away as this can damage it.

Additional Costs

There are other jobs you may want to have done at the same time as cleaning and sealing your driveway.

For example, the companies which offer driveway cleaning and sealing services will often also offer other brick & masonry cleaning services. These can be ideal for any walls which border the driveway to finish the job nicely - a sparkling clean drive bordered by grubby walls will not look its best.

There are several other jobs that it's worth considering too.

Patio Cleaning Cost

Having your patio cleaned is a good job to complete at the same time as having your driveway cleaned.

Patio cleaning prices range from £150 to £400, but costs may be lowered if you're having multiple pieces of cleaning work done at the same time.

Just as a driveway can easily collect algae, weeds and debris, so too can a patio. Regular cleaning can help increase its lifespan.

Roof Cleaning Cost

If your roof hasn't been cleaned for a while, you might want to get a professional to clean it for you.

Part of the reason for this is that roof debris can cause damage to your driveway and may also mask other issues (such as loose tiles) that could cause problems later if they fall onto your drive.

On average, roof cleaning prices are around £500.

Gutter Cleaning Cost

In the same way that roofs can cause debris to fall on your driveway, gutters can also be a hazard.

Ensuring your gutters are kept clear and free from weeds or lichen will help reduce the likelihood of damage to your driveway.

Gutter cleaning prices will vary depending on whether you need scaffolding or not, but the average range is between £100 and £150.

Window Cleaning Cost

Getting your windows cleaned can improve the overall aesthetic of your home, as well as improving the view from the inside.

The typical window cleaning cost will depend on whether you're having a one-off full clean or having someone clean them regularly.

As an example, for a detached home, you'll be looking at between £30 and £70 for a one-off window cleaning service.

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