How much does it cost to clean a driveway

Your driveway is one of the first things that people see when they approach your property. So, it’s important to keep it looking its best.

In this driveway pressure washing pricing guide, we’ll break down the typical cost to clean a driveway so that you can improve its appearance, safety and functionality.

How much does it cost to pressure wash a driveway?

As you can see, the average cost to power wash a driveway is £250. 

But your exact cost will depend on lots of different factors, like the size and condition of your driveway.

Pressure washing prices in the UK

Your tradesperson may calculate the cost of pressure washing your driveway using an hourly rate or a price per m².

Here are some figures to bear in mind when calculating your total power wash price.

Pressure washing rates per hour in the UK

The typical hourly rate for pressure washing in the UK is around £10 - £25.

With that in mind, you can expect to pay a day rate somewhere in the region of £150 - £250.

Timescales will vary depending on the size of your driveway, and costs may increase if your driveway needs resanding or sealing. That said, you’re looking at around 6-7 hours for a specialist to pressure wash an average-sized driveway.

Pressure washing prices per m²

The bigger your driveway is, the higher your pressure washing driveway cost will be.

With that in mind, many tradespeople will work out your total pressure washing price by charging you a set cost per m².

Generally speaking, the cost to clean a driveway per m² is around £8.50 - £15.50. 

Pressure washing estimate calculator

The best way to calculate a pressure washing estimate is to get in touch with pressure washing specialists near you.

They’ll be able to give you a bespoke quote that takes into account your location, the size of your driveway and its condition. That way, you can get a clearer idea of the cost to clean your driveway before going ahead with the work.

Factors affecting your power wash pricing

There are several factors that will affect your power wash driveway cost. Here are the main ones.

Size of driveway

Smaller driveways will naturally take less time to clean and will, therefore, cost less than larger driveways.

While it costs an average of £250 to clean a small driveway, a large driveway will usually cost closer to £400.

Condition of driveway

If your driveway is in poor condition, it will typically take longer to clean and will cost more.

For instance, your driveway may be coated in moss, covered in weeds or cracked in many places. In this case, costs will be higher to reflect the time required to clean and seal the area.

It’s worth applying weed killer in advance if you want to keep costs down.

Location

Just like all home improvement and garden maintenance jobs, your location will affect the quote provided by professionals.

Homeowners in London can expect to pay an average of £45 more for the overall job than those in the North.

Enter your postcode below to get quotes for driveway cleaning near you.

Additional costs to clean a driveway

You may want to carry out further work to your driveway and outdoor space while you’re already investing in driveway cleaning.

This way, you can get your whole outdoor space looking spick and span at the same time.

With that in mind, here are some additional costs to consider:

Cost of sealing a driveway

Sealing a driveway involves applying a protective coating to your driveway’s surface to protect it and keep it in good condition for longer.

Many driveway cleaning professionals will seal cracks in your driveway as part of your overall driveway cleaning service, and will include it in your overall price. Power washing and sealing a medium-sized driveway typically costs around £700.

If sealing isn’t included in your driveway cleaning quote, it’s worth adding this service on top. This will prevent water from penetrating through the cracks in your driveway and damaging it. It typically costs around £5 - £17 per m² to apply sealant, depending on the condition of your driveway.

Why invest in driveway cleaning?

Between exposure to the elements and daily use, it’s not hard to see how driveways get dirty quickly.

But investing in regular driveway cleaning is important to maintain the look, safety and functionality of your driveway.

Here are some of the main reasons you should keep your driveway clean.

Enhance the look of your property

Your driveway is one of the first things that people will see when passing or visiting your property. Unsurprisingly, a driveway looks best when clean.

Investing in regular driveway cleaning will keep your driveway and the exterior of your property looking their best, which could even add value to your house.

Prevent damage

Without regular cleaning, dirt, moss, weeds and lichens can quickly build up.

Not only do they look unsightly, but over time they can also cause damage. Acidic dirt and the roots of destructive weeds will erode your driveway, while grass can stain the surface.

Eventually, your parking may even be affected, as areas of your driveway start to sink. Driveway cleaning will help to prevent damage and improve the longevity of your driveway, so you can stave off more expensive driveway resurfacing costs.

Improve safety

You use your driveway every day, so it has to be safe for you, your family and visitors.

Algae, moss and grime can all be slippery underfoot. In this way, regular driveway cleaning is important to prevent slips and falls, keeping everybody safe.

What does the process of cleaning a driveway involve?

When you hire a professional to clean your driveway, they’ll typically arrive at your property with a pressure or jet washer.

Depending on the condition of your driveway, they may ask you to apply weed killer in advance to make power washing easier. Or, they may be happy to visit your property to apply weed killer themselves beforehand.

They’ll use the pressure washer to remove stains, weeds, algae and moss. Then, once clean, they’ll usually refill the joints with kiln-dried sand if required.

Finally, they’ll apply sealant to any cracks to prevent them from getting worse.

In some cases, a chemical fungicide will also need to be applied post-clean to prevent future weed or moss growth.

How long does it take to clean a driveway?

It takes, on average, 6-7 hours to power wash a medium-sized driveway.

However, the exact time it takes to clean your driveway will depend on several factors, like the size of your driveway and its condition.

Can I clean my driveway myself?

If you have the time and patience, you could try cleaning your driveway yourself.

It’s considered one of those ‘easier’ jobs to DIY. That said, a professional driveway cleaner will have the tools to get better results faster.

So, unless you have days to commit to scrubbing your driveway manually, we recommend hiring a professional for the job.

Although you can hire a pressure washer yourself, the equipment used by professionals tends to be much more powerful and effective.

Plus, you can end up badly damaging brickwork and concrete if you use a pressure washer in the wrong way.

Driveway pressure washing near me

Hiring a professional for power washing near you is the best way to make sure your driveway is cleaned to a high standard.

A specialist will come to your property with all the right equipment, tools and experience needed for the job. They’ll deal with all the work and mess for you and carry out a thorough clean that will improve your driveway’s look, longevity and safety.

Enter your postcode into the search box below to find a specialist in driveway cleaning near you.

FAQs

Is it ok to pressure wash a driveway?

Yes! Pressure washing is the most efficient way to clean your driveway, as it can almost magically erase tough stains.

However, with too much power, you can damage the concrete. Often, this is due to using the wrong nozzle, spraying too close, or using too much pressure.

The margin for error is large for those inexperienced with pressure washers. So, hiring a professional to pressure wash your driveway is the best way to avoid irreversible damage.

What’s the average pressure wash driveway cost?

The average cost to clean a driveway with pressure washing is £250. 

How long does it take to pressure wash a driveway?

How long it takes to pressure wash a driveway will depend on your driveway’s size and condition.

A small driveway will typically take 4-5 hours to complete, while a medium-sized driveway will take 6-7 hours.

You can expect larger driveways to take around 8 hours.

How often should I power wash a driveway?

We recommend having your driveway cleaned at least once a year.

By regularly cleaning your driveway, you’ll be able to reduce the amount of maintenance it needs in the long run, keeping your costs down.

Plus, a clean driveway will be much more visually appealing and safe for you to use all year round.

What is the difference between power washing and pressure washing?

Although the terms ‘power washing’ and ‘pressure washing’ are often used interchangeably, they’re actually slightly different techniques.

A power washing machine uses hot water, while a pressure washer doesn’t. This makes power washers better for the removal of tougher stains, stubborn grime, oil, grease, salt and mildew.

Costs for the two are usually roughly the same. But it’s always worth checking with your tradesperson which technique they plan to use before they start.

Looking for a quote to clean your driveway? Enter your postcode below to find specialists in your local area.