Tarmac is one of the most popular options for driveway surfacing, thanks to its hard-wearing durable properties and ease of maintenance. However, like anything that is left outside to the elements 24/7, 365 days a year, your tarmac driveway could be looking a little worse for wear. When freshly laid, tarmac driveways look fantastic, fresh, neat and clean, especially when installed by our expert iDream Solutions team.

While tarmac is an attractive, clean and fresh surfacing option for your driveway, like anything kept outside for a vast period of time, it may not always stay looking as fresh as you want it to. Tarmac has a high level of moisture retention, which paired with its rough and porous surface, makes it a breeding ground for moss lichen and algae. However, there are ways you can get your driveway looking brand new again with these simple cleaning hacks.

Removing algae and moss from your tarmac driveway is a quick way to get your tarmac looking brand new again and there are several ways to do this. There are many natural and non-natural ways to help remove algae and moss from your tarmac such as:

Moss and algae thrive and grow when the surface is damp. If you often park your car, van or even caravan on your driveway and rarely move it, then the tarmac underneath isn’t given many opportunities to completely dry out. By regularly moving your vehicles and allowing the sunlight to dry your tarmac, you can help prevent the growth of moss and algae.

Pouring boiling water on any growing algae or moss is a great way to help kill any growths on your tarmac driveway. Pour the boiled water onto the affected area of your driveway then, once the boiling water has helped to kill the growths, grab a stiff-bristled brush, scrub the moss away.

Top Tip: When scrubbing with the stiff-bristled brush, apply gentle pressure to avoid changing the tarmac’s texture.

Vinegar naturally contains high levels of acetic acid which is harmful to moss. Mix four cups of vinegar with a quarter cup of salt and some water and spray your tarmac driveway, leave the vinegar solution for 15-20 minutes before washing away with water. Continue spraying your tarmac for up to a week. Once complete, wash your driveway thoroughly using dish soap and warm water, or tarmac cleaner.

While bleach will effectively kill any moss or algae growing on your tarmac, if you’re planning on dousing your Devon tarmac driveway with bleach, ensure that you use it carefully as it can kill any surrounding plants, and stain your tarmac or pavement. Simply mix one part bleach with three parts water and spray the areas where the moss or algae is present. Once sprayed make sure to remove any excess bleach from your tarmac.

Baking Soda works by increasing the pH of the environment where the moss is growing. Moss grows in areas where the pH is 5 – 6, the baking soda will increase the pH making the tarmac inhospitable to moss. Sprinkle the baking soda across areas where the moss is visible, leave the baking soda to absorb the moisture and kill the moss. Once the baking powder has done its job, with a brush remove any dead moss.

Top Tip: The baking soda method works best on dry, sunny days.

Pressure washing your tarmac driveway is a quick and easy way to keep your driveway looking fresh and clean. As tarmac is made up of soft, malleable materials such as tar, it is important to not apply too much pressure when cleaning, as this could damage the surface of your driveway.

Keep your Devon tarmac driveway looking brand new by properly maintaining and cleaning the area. You do not need to regularly maintain your tarmac driveway, however, you may want to give it a clean once a year. To keep your tarmac driveway looking fresh and clean, follow these steps:

For further information about how to properly maintain your iDream Solutions Devon tarmac driveway, see our blog: ‘ Look after your driveway this winter with iDream Solutions ’ or, to answer any questions or queries about maintaining and cleaning your driveway see our blog ‘ driveway maintenance FAQs – find your answer ’

At iDream Solutions, we have been providing Devon and Cornwall with hardwearing, attractive and durable tarmac solutions for domestic and commercial customers for many years. Designing and installing driveways with a ten-year guarantee. For more inspiration see our gallery or our wide range of case studies.

If you’re looking to tarmac your driveway in or around Devon, we have our experts available in various locations throughout Exeter and the surrounding areas including:

Find out more about the services and solutions we offer or get a free no-obligation quote today by contacting a member of the team on 01626 680194 or emailing contact@idream-solutions.co.uk