Whether you inherited an existing tarmac driveway when you moved into your property, or you’ve invested in a new driveway, a little care goes a long way. Tarmac driveway maintenance is actually very simple; it doesn’t take much time or effort, and it could help you significantly extend its life, saving you money in the long run.
Read on for our top tips on tarmac driveway maintenance, including how to clean your driveway, how to use it and how to take care of it across all seasons. We’ll also advise you on what you can do yourself, and when it’s time to call in a professional to help. At Hazell & Jefferies, we’ve been carrying out driveway surfacing and repairs for over 50 years across Oxford, Reading, Didcot, Wallingford and nationwide, and we’re always happy to share our knowledge to help customers solve their driveway dilemmas.
Just like anything else in your home, regular maintenance of your driveway is important because it protects your investment, whether your drive is new, freshly resurfaced or existing. With a bit of TLC, you can stop small issues like a hairline crack or moss from turning into much bigger ones. This can help you avoid costly repairs down the line and help it last much longer.
There’s also your property’s kerb appeal to take into account. First impressions matter when people visit your home, and your driveway is often the first thing they see. A well-kept driveway adds to the look and value of your property, and some light maintenance is often all it takes to help you keep it in tip-top condition.
Regularly cleaning a tarmac driveway is one of the cheapest, easiest ways to preserve its life. Not only will it keep it looking tidy and presentable, but it’ll shift dirt, moss and debris that hold moisture against the surface, making it deteriorate over time. Luckily, cleaning a driveway is a simple task that most homeowners can easily do themselves. Here are some things to focus on:
Get yourself a stiff yard broom that is built for outside jobs (a house broom won’t do the job well enough). Sweep the driveway every few weeks, making sure you remove all dirt, debris, soil and grit, which can stain, encourage moss and trap moisture. If you have overhanging trees and bushes, you might need to do this a bit more regularly, but the effort will be worth it.
In the UK, most homeowners find they need to do a bit more in the autumn because of falling leaves or leaves being blown onto the driveway from elsewhere. Keep the sweeping gentle, as over-brushing can cause damage in itself, and pay attention to any products that you’re using to make sure they’re suitable for the job.
Moss and weeds love a damp patch to grow in, and shady spots and along edges are common places for them to take hold. Remove them as soon as they appear, because the longer you leave them, the more the roots will begin to work their way into small gaps. This is an excellent prevention method, because weeds growing in small cracks will cause them to widen over time.
A tarmac driveway will naturally have plenty of vehicles coming and going on it, often leaving patches of fuel and oil stains. These patches can damage tarmac, weakening and softening it, so removing them as soon as they appear is wise. Soak up fresh spills straight away (don’t rub them in as this will cause more problems). If the problem is more long-term, it’s better to ask a professional to remove the stains because harsh or incorrect methods or products might make the issue worse.
Your next tarmac driveway maintenance job is to look out for any potential water damage. Regularly inspect nearby drains and gullies to make sure they are free of blockages like leaves or garden debris, because any backing up of water will lead to it sitting on the driveway, causing damage. Notice where rain collects after a heavy downpour, and deal with it immediately before potholes appear.
In general, make sure any water is free to run off the driveway and away from the house. If you see persistent pooling of water, this could indicate a drainage or levels issue which will need professional attention.
Signs of wear like tarmac crumbling could be down to a number of reasons, and we’ve covered that in our companion guide: Why is my tarmac driveway crumbling?
Tarmac driveways are designed for regular car use, but that doesn’t extend to lorries, motorhomes, plant machinery or skips. A heavy load will cause damage to your driveway, especially if it’s happening regularly. If it’s unavoidable, then ensure you’re parking and turning in different spots across the driveway so that the same area doesn’t get repeatedly affected.
Sharp turning on the spot is a big problem on tarmac in the summer, because it’s naturally softer on sunny, warm days. Also, look out for sharp or pointed objects that can cause damage, like stands, props and caravan jockey wheels.
Put a note in your diary to remind you to keep on top of your tarmac driveway maintenance throughout the year. At the very least, you should carry out a spring and autumn walk-round, perhaps taking photos to monitor the size of any cracking.
Different temperatures and climates bring different risks and challenges, so let’s look at your summer and winter jobs a little more closely:
Your best defence in autumn and winter is to keep the surface clean and clear. When water freezes, it expands, and this is bad news for small cracks because when water gets in and freezes, it can widen the gap. Avoid this as much as you can by clearing away leaves and debris so water can drain away, and removing any snow gently with a plastic shovel or soft brush.
Read more: How to prepare your driveway for winter
During spring and summer, keep an eye on those pesky weeds that spring up through hairline cracks and along edges of your driveway. Pull them out quickly and don’t give them a chance to take hold, as with root growth comes a widening of the cracks. Again, a regular sweep is always a good idea, and good, dry weather is always an opportunity to carry out a general inspection.
Sealing is a protective treatment that’s applied to the surface of your driveway. This can help protect tarmac against water, wear, staining and fading, and it can also make the appearance look fresher and tidier, too. It can improve skid resistance and lead to lower maintenance costs over time. But sealing is only suitable for driveways that are already in reasonable condition to protect against future damage, and is not a repair in itself.
If you’ve got a new or recently resurfaced driveway, surface sealing is an excellent way to protect your investment.
Ongoing tarmac driveway maintenance is a great way to make sure your driveway stays in the best condition for as long as possible, but good DIY means knowing when to call in the professionals. We always caution against patching tarmac up yourself, because using the wrong tools or materials can make the problem significantly worse (and even in the best-case scenario, the patching never lasts long).
There are several signs that it’s time to call the driveway surfacing experts, namely:
In those cases, a tarmac expert will identify the problem and outline your options. It won’t necessarily mean you need a total resurfacing; often a driveway repair can be enough. The important thing is to catch the problem early, because the sooner you address it, the easier (and often cheaper) it can be to fix it.
Read more: Should you repair or resurface a tarmac driveway?
Simple, regular maintenance will keep your driveway looking in great condition and lasting longer. But when there’s a problem that day-to-day maintenance can’t fix, we are here to help. Hazell & Jefferies has been a reputable tarmac driveway expert across Oxford, Reading and nationwide for 50 years, and we’re always happy to carry out a site visit and provide a clear, honest quote with absolutely no obligation.
Get in touch via our contact page for advice or call 0118 984 2684 for a free quote on sealing, repairs or resurfacing for your tarmac driveway.
