For most homeowners, driveway maintenance is not complicated: keep the surface clean, stop weeds and moss getting established, protect joints and deal with stains or drainage problems early. The details change by surface, especially between jointed block paving, sealed tarmac, permeable resin and loose shingle.
Quick maintenance schedule
| Task | Typical timing | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Regular sweep and rinse | As needed | Stops leaves, soil and debris holding moisture on the surface. |
| Pressure wash block paving | Every 2-3 years | RKG recommends this to keep moss and weeds at bay. |
| Re-sand block paving joints | After washing | Kiln-dried sand keeps joints tight and helps stop movement. |
| Re-seal block paving or stone | Every 3-5 years | Maintains colour stability, stain resistance and joint protection. |
| Tarmac seal coat | About every 5 years | RKG's cleaning page notes faded tarmac can benefit from a top-up seal coat. |
| Shingle rake and top-up | When migration appears | Keeps coverage even, especially near turning areas, edges and slopes. |
Block paving: protect the joints
Block paving is durable and repairable, but the joints need attention. RKG's cleaning and sealing page recommends pressure washing and re-sanding every 2-3 years, then re-sealing every 3-5 years where a sealed finish is wanted.
After washing, kiln-dried sand should be brushed back into the joints and compacted properly. If the joints are left open, weeds can settle faster and individual blocks can start moving under repeated car use.
Tarmac: keep the surface sealed and draining
Tarmac is a practical, low-maintenance finish, but it is not permeable. Good falls, drainage and edge restraint matter from day one. For older faded tarmac, RKG uses Resiblock Sureset Black as a restoration sealer and notes that tarmac drives can benefit from a top-up seal coat every 5 years.
Watch for standing water, cracked edges or oil staining. Those issues are easier to assess early than after water starts getting below the surface.
Resin bound: low maintenance, not no maintenance
Resin bound is one of the lower-maintenance driveway options because it is smooth, jointless and permeable when built on the right base. It still needs leaves, soil and debris cleared so the surface can keep draining properly.
If a resin driveway is on a slope, the sloped driveway surface guide explains why aggregate texture, grip and drainage should be checked before installation.
Shingle: control movement
Shingle and gravel are permeable and cost-effective, 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.
Maintenance is mostly practical: rake stone back from edges, top up thin areas and keep borders firm. If the stone is migrating downhill or spreading onto the pavement, stabilisation or edging may need improving.
When cleaning is not enough
- Sunken block paving: the surface may need lifting and re-laying, not just washing.
- Loose edging: kerbs or restraints should be re-bedded before sealing locks in the finish.
- Deep oil stains: fresh stains often lift with degreaser, but older soaked-in stains may need individual block replacement.
- Drainage changes: water sitting against the house, garage or highway needs a site check.
- Heavy weed growth: RKG's cleaning page includes professional weed treatment before washing where needed.
What a maintenance quote should include
A useful cleaning or sealing quote should say what is being washed, whether joints are being re-sanded, which sealer is being used, whether repairs are included and how long the surface needs to cure. RKG's cleaning process includes assessment, spot repairs, pressure washing, drying, joint re-sanding and sealing where appropriate.
If you are deciding whether maintenance is enough or replacement makes more sense, compare the driveway cost guide with RKG's cleaning and sealing service. Restoration can be far cheaper than replacing, but only when the existing base and surface are still sound.