A professionally laid block paving driveway can be an asset to your property and give it instant curb appeal. However, weather, foliage and wear and tear can impact its appearance and functionality.
Regular maintenance of your block paving driveway will increase its lifespan and keep it looking tidy.
How does poor maintenance affect a block paved driveway?
Poorly cared for driveways can be a visual blight on your property, which is especially relevant if you are selling your home. While a well-built, well-maintained block paved drive will add value, a damaged and messy drive can do the opposite.
If it is not maintained properly, a driveway can become unstable, developing holes and an uneven surface. This can pose a danger in the form of trip hazards and potential falls.
What are the different aspects of driveway maintenance?
Consistent driveway maintenance is one way to keep your block paving in top condition and ensure it lasts for many years.
Regular brushing
A simple yet often neglected maintenance job is to regularly brush your driveway to clear it of fallen leaves, debris and loose dirt.
Dealing with weeds and moss
Unlike the brickwork of walls, a driveway is not cemented together. Instead, it uses jointing sand, which is brushed into the gaps between blocks once they are laid.
This is often where the moss and foliage take hold and where water can seep in and destabilise the driveway. Left unchecked, roots can grow into the sub-base or soil underneath and push up stone blocks, making the surface uneven.
Using weedkiller, anti-moss treatments or your own two hands on a regular basis to remove excess greenery is advised.
Professional power hosing
For stubborn dirt, debris and stains, professional power hosing can clean up the block paving. While it is possible to do this yourself, a professional maintenance team can make sure no damage is done in the process.
Power hosing not only cleans but often removes some of the sand that holds the block pattern together. This will need to be replaced to ensure the soundness of the driveway.
Sealing
Block paving driveways can be sealed using special eco-sealants. These bind together the sand and coat the blocks in a protective layer, increasing the longevity of the drive. Although sealing does make long-term maintenance easier to manage, it is not essential.
What should you do if blocks are damaged or missing?
The interlocking nature of a block paving driveway is what gives it its strength and enables it to withstand heavy loads such as cars and vans. The laying of block paving and other modular pavements is guided by the British Standards Institution’s BS 7533-101:2021.
The standards outline how the paving should be designed and constructed to handle traffic on driveways, footpaths and other thoroughfares.
The blocks are fitted together tightly with jointing sand laid onto a sub base (soil or other material). Usually they are laid in horizontal lines or in a herringbone pattern, although other patterns are popular.
The patterns are what prevent the blocks from moving sideways when a heavy load is applied, and it preserves the integrity of the driveway.
However, if a block or jointing sand is missing or damaged, your driveway will not be as strong. One missing block can lead to more movement and more damage as vehicles drive over it, potentially creating a pothole.
If you find blocks missing or broken, it is best to get them replaced quickly and the jointing sand reapplied.