◆ Exterior Cleaning Advice ◆
How often should driveways, patios and paths be cleaned?
Most driveways, patios and paths benefit from a professional clean somewhere between every one and three years. The right interval depends on shade, drainage, nearby trees and how much use the surface takes — not on a fixed rule.
By Coastal Clean Exterior Cleaning · Updated 31 July 2026
What makes the difference
- Shade. Areas overshadowed by a house, hedge or fence stay damp far longer, and damp is what algae needs.
- Drainage. Paving that holds water in low spots, or receives run-off from a border, greens up quickly however well it was cleaned.
- Trees and planting. Leaf fall, sap and berries all feed growth in the joints.
- Surface and condition. Smooth porcelain sheds dirt; riven sandstone and textured concrete hold it.
Signs it is time
- A green or black film that stays even after a dry spell.
- The surface feels slippery underfoot, especially on steps and slopes.
- Moss or weed growth visible along the joints.
- Block paving joints that have dropped well below the top of the blocks.
Between cleans
Sweeping leaves off in autumn, keeping gutters clear so they are not discharging onto paving and dealing with weed growth early will all stretch the interval.
Getting a straight answer
Send photographs with your postcode and you will get a written quotation with an honest view of what the surface will and will not look like afterwards. See driveway cleaning, patio cleaning or path cleaning.
Common questions
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Is there a standard interval?
Not really. Somewhere between one and three years suits most paving, but a shaded drive under trees can need attention far sooner than an open, sunny, well-drained one.
Can I just leave it?
You can, but algae and moss hold moisture against the surface and make paving slippery, and heavy growth in the joints of block paving loosens the blocks over time.
Does cleaning too often damage paving?
Repeatedly blasting a soft or aged surface at too high a pressure will wear it. That is an argument for a method matched to the surface rather than for leaving paving until it is green.
Want a written quotation?
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Send your postcode and a few clear photographs and you'll get a written quotation setting out exactly what is included. Coastal Clean Exterior Cleaning covers South East Kent.
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