This guide does not add new service claims. It pulls together facts already published on the RKG site: regular sweeping and rinsing, block paving re-sanding, tarmac seal coats, resin debris clearing, shingle raking, drainage checks, oil-stain warnings and site visits before recommending cleaning, sealing or replacement.
Quick winter-readiness checklist
| Check | Why it matters | When to ask for help |
|---|---|---|
| Clear leaves, soil and debris | Debris holds moisture on the surface and can stop permeable resin draining properly. | If water starts sitting where it used to drain away. |
| Watch drainage routes | RKG's guidance repeatedly flags falls, channel drains, soakaways and water moving away from the house or highway. | If water sits against a garage, threshold, wall or pavement. |
| Check joints and edging | Open block paving joints, loose kerbs and weak edge restraints let movement get worse under regular parking. | If blocks have sunk, edging has moved or joints stay open after cleaning. |
| Deal with oil stains early | RKG's maintenance guide notes fresh stains often lift more easily than older soaked-in stains. | If staining is deep or individual blocks may need replacement. |
| Rake shingle back into place | Loose stone can migrate near turning areas, edges and slopes. | If stone spreads onto the pavement or keeps moving downhill. |
Block paving: keep joints tight
Block paving is repairable, but the joints do the day-to-day work. RKG's maintenance guide recommends pressure washing and re-sanding every 2-3 years, then re-sealing every 3-5 years where a sealed finish is wanted. Before winter, the main job is to spot open joints, moss, weeds and sunken areas before movement spreads.
Tarmac: watch drainage and edge wear
Tarmac is low maintenance, but it is not permeable. Existing RKG guidance says good falls, drainage and edge restraint matter from day one, and older faded tarmac can benefit from a top-up seal coat about every 5 years. In autumn and winter, look for standing water, cracked edges and oil staining rather than waiting until the surface has deteriorated further.
Resin bound: clear debris so water can pass through
RKG's resin guidance positions resin bound as smooth, jointless and permeable when built on the right base. It is still not a no-maintenance surface: leaves, soil and debris should be cleared so the surface can keep draining properly. If a resin driveway is also sloped, check texture, grip and drainage together.
Shingle and gravel: control movement
Shingle remains one of the most cost-effective and permeable driveway options, but loose stone moves under tyres. RKG's shingle guidance points to angular stone, stable edging and honeycomb stabilising grids for sloped drives or daily use. Before winter, rake thin areas back into place and check whether edges or grids are still controlling the stone.
When a winter check becomes a repair conversation
- Standing water: compare the driveway drainage solutions guide if falls, channels or soakaways may need attention.
- Sunken or rocking blocks: cleaning will not fix a failed local base or loose jointing.
- Loose edging: restraints may need rebedding before sealing or resurfacing makes sense.
- Spreading shingle: stabilising grids, edging or a different layout may be needed for daily parking.
- Deep stains or cracking: ask whether spot repairs, cleaning and sealing, resurfacing or replacement is the safer route.
If you are deciding whether maintenance is enough, compare the driveway maintenance guide, repair warning signs guide and resurfacing vs replacement guide before requesting a measured quote.