Driveways
Why your driveway goes black, and how to fix it
Sam Patel
· 4 min read
Best season
Late spring
How often
Every 12 months
DIY difficulty
Medium
Pro time
1–3 hours
Those black spots are alive
Most black spotting on concrete and paving is lichen. It grips tightly and survives a quick rinse.
Hot water does the heavy lifting
Hot water and a rotary cleaner lift oil, tyre marks and lichen evenly. A spot treatment handles anything stubborn.
Should you seal it?
A clear, breathable sealer makes the next clean quicker and keeps weeds out of the joints. It isn’t essential, but it doubles how long a clean lasts.
The same wall, before and after one soft wash.
Key takeaways
Black spots are usually lichen, not dirt.
Hot water lifts oil and tyre marks.
Sealing roughly doubles how long a clean lasts.
Keep reading
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Pressure or soft wash: which does your surface need?
Concrete loves pressure. Render, roofs and timber don’t. A quick guide to matching the method to the surface.
Seasonal
A spring checklist for the outside of your home
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