How do I look after a drive or hard surface?

Hard surfaces fail from water getting in and freezing, and from weeds forcing joints apart. Both are gradual and both are far cheaper to prevent than to repair.

Safety

What you'll need

• Stiff brush
• Weed remover or hoe
• Pressure washer (optional)
• Kiln-dried sand (optional)

Step by step

1. Keep drainage clear.Gullies, channels and the fall of the surface. Water standing on a surface and freezing is the main cause of break-up.
2. Remove weeds and moss regularly.Roots force joints apart and moss holds water against the surface. Regular removal is far easier than an annual battle.
3. Brush rather than always pressure washing.A stiff brush and a weed remover handles most maintenance. Pressure washing is effective and removes joint sand, so it should not be routine.
4. Pressure wash carefully if you do.Keep the lance moving and at a consistent distance. A stationary jet erodes the surface and can damage pointing and soft stone permanently.
5. Re-sand block paving after washing.Washing removes the kiln-dried sand from the joints, which is what stops the blocks moving. Brushing new sand in afterwards is not optional.
6. Repair small defects promptly.A sunken block, a cracked slab, an open joint. Water gets in and the damage spreads. Individual blocks and slabs can usually be lifted and relaid.
7. Deal with oil stains quickly.Absorb with cat litter or sand, then use a degreaser. Oil soaks in and becomes permanent within days.
8. Be careful with de-icing salt.It damages some surfaces and harms nearby planting. Grit alone gives traction without the chemical damage.

Tips

• A sealant on block paving reduces weed growth and staining, but it must be applied to a properly cleaned dry surface and reapplied periodically.
• Weeds growing through a hard surface indicate a joint or sub-base problem. Repeated weeding without addressing the joint is treating the symptom.
• If a drive is sinking in one area, water is likely getting into the sub-base. Fix the drainage before relaying the surface, or it recurs.

Common mistakes

• Pressure washing block paving and not re-sanding — The joint sand is what locks the blocks together. Without it they shift, weeds establish and the surface deteriorates quickly.
• Holding a pressure washer lance still — It erodes the surface and can permanently damage pointing, render and softer stone. Keep it moving at a consistent distance.
• Ignoring standing water — Water sitting on a surface and freezing is the main cause of break-up. Clearing the drainage is the most valuable maintenance there is.

Questions people ask