Short answer
The cost of driveway and patio cleaning depends on the size of the area, the type of surface, its condition and what needs doing beyond the clean itself, such as re-sanding block paving joints or sealing. Moss, weeds, oil stains and black spots add work, and access, water supply, steps and walls also affect the job. A quote based on seeing the surface is the only reliable way to know the cost.
Why every driveway is priced differently
Jet washing looks simple, but the right method depends on the surface. Block paving, resin, tarmac, concrete and natural stone each need a different approach, and the same area can take very different amounts of work depending on how much moss, weed and staining has built up. A quote that reflects your actual drive or patio avoids surprises later.
The factors that change the price
- Area: the size of the driveway, patio, paths and steps to be cleaned.
- Surface type: block paving, resin, tarmac, concrete, Indian sandstone and other natural stone, and porcelain all need different pressures and products.
- Condition: thick moss, weeds in the joints, black spots and lichen, oil and rust stains, and general ground-in dirt all add time.
- Re-sanding: block paving loses some joint sand during cleaning, and refilling the joints with kiln-dried sand is often quoted as part of the job or as an extra.
- Sealing: sealing block paving after cleaning is optional and is usually discussed and quoted separately.
- Treatments: biocide treatments for black spots, algae and lichen may be recommended on some surfaces.
- Access and water: how easily equipment can reach the area, whether there is an outside tap, and where dirty water will drain.
- Steps, walls and edges: steps, low walls, edging and planters take more careful, slower work than open paving.
What a good quote should include
- Exactly which areas are included: front drive, paths, side return, patio and steps.
- How each surface will be cleaned, and at what pressure, particularly for resin, tarmac and soft stone.
- Whether weeds and moss are removed from the joints.
- Whether re-sanding is included, and what type of sand will be used.
- Whether sealing is offered, and if so as a separate, optional item.
- How stains will be treated, with an honest note that some old marks may lighten rather than disappear.
- How the area around the work will be protected, and how debris and run-off will be dealt with.
Comparing quotes like for like
A quote for a quick jet wash is not comparable with one that includes weed removal, re-sanding and stain treatment. Check that each quote covers the same areas and the same steps. Ask how the company protects block paving joints and softer surfaces from too much pressure, because an aggressive clean can strip joints, scar stone or damage resin. Check reviews, and ask whether the business holds public liability insurance.
Our guides to cleaning a driveway and cleaning patio slabs explain the methods used on different surfaces, so you know what to expect.
Re-sanding and sealing explained
Re-sanding replaces the sand lost from block paving joints during cleaning. It helps lock the blocks together and makes it harder for weeds to take hold again. Sealing is a separate, optional step that some homeowners choose to help the surface resist staining and keep joint sand in place. Our guides to re-sanding block paving and to whether you should seal block paving explain the pros and cons, so you can decide which extras are worth it for your drive.
Stains and expectations
Oil drips, rust marks and tyre scuffs can need extra treatment, and some long-standing stains will lighten rather than vanish. Our guide to removing oil stains from a driveway explains what is realistic. Discussing stains when you ask for a quote helps set clear expectations before work starts.
When to call a professional
Cleaning a large drive or patio yourself with a hired pressure washer is possible, but it is easy to blast sand out of joints, mark softer surfaces or leave stripes. A professional clean is worth considering for large areas, heavily weeded block paving, natural stone you do not want to risk, or when you want the joints re-sanded and the surface left even.
We clean block paving with professional rotary surface cleaners, remove weeds and moss from the joints and re-sand with kiln-dried sand, and sealing can be discussed. Tarmac and resin are cleaned with lighter pressure and suitable solutions, and patios are cleaned with pressure matched to the material. Call Jason on 07774 252535 or ask for a free quote.
Rather have it done for you?
Block paving, tarmac and resin driveways cleaned, weeded and re-sanded. Family-run by Jason and Lucas Prior, covering south Essex.
- Patio cleaning: garden paving, paths and steps.
- Block paving cleaning: joints, re-sanding and sealing for block-paved drives.
Frequently asked questions
How much does driveway cleaning cost?
It depends on the size of the area, the surface type, its condition, and extras such as re-sanding, sealing or stain treatment, plus access and water supply. A quote based on seeing the drive is the only reliable guide.
Is re-sanding included in driveway cleaning?
It varies, so check each quote. Block paving loses some joint sand during cleaning, and re-sanding with kiln-dried sand is often part of the job or quoted as an extra.
Does patio cleaning cost the same as driveway cleaning?
The same factors apply: area, surface, condition, steps, access and any extras. Natural stone patios can need a gentler approach, which affects the work involved.
Related guides
- How to remove oil stains from a driveway: what to do with a fresh spill, how to tackle older marks on concrete and block paving, and what never to pour on a drive.
- How to clean a driveway: the general method for any drive, a full walkthrough for concrete, and how to tell which surface you have.
- How to clean patio slabs: the general method for most patios, when a pressure washer helps and when it does more harm than good.
- Re-sanding block paving after cleaning: why the joints need refilling after a clean, why kiln-dried sand is used and how to brush it in so it stays put.
- Should you seal block paving?: an honest look at what a sealer can and cannot do, how to prepare for it and when sealing is better left alone.