Driveway Cleaning
Full-service driveway restoration across Staffordshire, the West Midlands and the wider Midlands. Cleaning, resanding, weed treatment and optional sealing are the four stages that actually restore a driveway properly.
We are expert Driveway Cleaners.
Most driveway cleaning companies pressure-wash your drive and leave. That’s fine for a short-term visual result but within weeks the weeds are back, the sand is washed out of the joints, and the blocks start rocking. At Modus Softwashing, we approach driveway cleaning as a proper four-stage restoration: biocide weed treatment to kill and stop regrowth at the root, high-pressure cleaning with lances and turbo nozzles to remove the years of moss, algae and staining; kiln-dried sand brushed into every joint to stabilise the paving and optional sealing to protect the result. Based in Handsacre, we’ve been doing driveway work across the Midlands for over 13 years.
Our Four Stage Process
The single biggest reason driveway cleans disappoint homeowners is that most contractors treat the job as a one-stage exercise. Pressure-wash the surface and go home. Six weeks later, weeds are back, sand has washed out of the joints, blocks are shifting, and the drive looks nearly as bad as it did before.
A properly restored driveway needs four stages. We do all of them:
Stage 1 – Weed treatment. Weeds and moss on block paving grow up through the joints from the soil beneath, or from wind-blown seed that settles in the joint sand. Cleaning kills what’s on the surface but does nothing about the seeds and root fragments that will regrow within weeks. We apply a specialist biocide treatment that kills algae, moss, weed seeds and root systems at the joint level. This is what makes the clean actually last.
Stage 2 – High-pressure cleaning. We use professional lances and turbo nozzles cleaners. Delivering even, consistent pressure across the whole surface. All the moss, algae, embedded dirt, oil marks and biological staining is lifted in one clean pass.
Stage 3 – Resanding. On block paving, the sand between the joints does a lot of the work you don’t see. It stabilises the individual blocks, stops edges chipping, and provides the substrate the sealer (if used) bonds to. Cleaning strips out virtually all the existing joint sand, leaving the joints looking clean but the blocks unstable and vulnerable to shifting and edge damage. We brush kiln-dried sand into every joint after cleaning, restoring the structural integrity of the paving.
Stage 4 – Sealing (optional). A driveway sealer does three things: locks the joint sand in place so it doesn’t wash out again, gives the paving a slight sheen and colour enhancement, and creates a stain-resistant surface that shrugs off oil drips, tyre marks and general grime. Sealed driveways stay cleaner for longer and are easier to maintain. It’s not for everyone – it’s an additional cost, and some homeowners prefer the natural look of unsealed paving but where sealing makes sense, we offer it as a genuine service, not a token upsell.
The result: a driveway that stays clean and stable for years, not weeks.
The Correct Method for the Right Surface
If you’ve read our other pages, you’ll know we’re specialists in softwashing – a low-pressure, chemistry-led method used on delicate exterior surfaces like render, K-rend, cladding, brick and historic stone. Softwashing is genuinely the only right method for those surfaces, and we’re firm about that.
Driveways are different. Block paving, concrete, tarmac and hardstanding surfaces are engineered to take heavy mechanical load, vehicles, weather, foot traffic. High-pressure cleaning is the right method here. Softwashing alone doesn’t shift the embedded staining, moss and dirt on hardstanding effectively enough.
We use the right method for each surface. Softwashing on your render or K-rend or cladding — no exceptions. High-pressure rotary cleaning on your driveway – done properly, with the right equipment, aftercare and skill. Same specialist company, matched approach.
Surfaces We Clean
The Driveway Surfaces We Restore
Block paving. The most common driveway surface across the Midlands, and the surface that most benefits from our full four-stage process. Whether the blocks are concrete (Marshalls Drivesett, Bradstone, Brett), clay-brick pavers, or a mix, the same process applies: weed treatment, high pressure clean and resand, with optional seal.
Tarmac. Cleans up dramatically with high-pressure rotary treatment. Weed and moss growth typically appears at edges and along cracks – we treat these at the same time. Sealing options available for tarmac drives that need extended protection.
Resin-bound and resin-bonded driveways. These need a slightly different approach – the resin surface layer is durable but not indestructible, and over-aggressive cleaning can dislodge stones or damage the resin bond. We use pressure settings and equipment appropriate to the surface type. Resin drives should be cleaned less frequently than block paving but need careful technique when they are cleaned.
Concrete driveways (plain, brushed and imprinted). Plain and brushed concrete cleans up predictably. Imprinted/patterned concrete needs particular care – the top decorative layer is what gives the surface its appearance, and it can be worn away by aggressive technique. We adjust accordingly.
Natural stone (flag, cobble, sett). Sandstone, limestone, granite and other natural stone hardstanding needs sympathetic treatment. Softer stones (particularly sandstone) can be damaged by careless high-pressure work. We work carefully on these surfaces.
What we do and how much it costs ...
Every driveway job includes:
- Free site survey and written quote
- Professional rotary cleaning of the whole area
- Kiln-dried sand resanding (on block paving)
- Biocide weed and algae treatment
- Site clean-down and responsible waste-disposal
- Honest aftercare advice
Optional add-ons (priced separately at quote) ...
- Driveway sealing – colour-enhancing or matte-finish sealer, adds long-lasting protection and stain resistance
- Oil and stain treatment – for specific problem areas like garage entrances, tyre wear marks and dropped-oil staining
- Additional treatments – jet-black tarmac restorer, block paving colour enhancement and similar specialist products where relevant
Driveway cleaning cost depends on the size of the drive, the surface type, the level of moss and staining, and whether you add sealing or other options. We provide a firm written quote after a free site survey. Call 07772 644066 to arrange one — most quotes can be surveyed within a few days.
When to Get Your Driveway Cleaned
When Should You Have Your Driveway Cleaned?
Three signs it’s time:
- Visible green tint or moss growth – particularly at edges, in shaded areas or under trees
- Weeds growing through joints or cracks – a clear sign the joint sand has broken down and the biocide treatment is overdue
- Blocks starting to shift or rock underfoot – a sign the joint sand has washed out and needs replacing
Most residential driveways benefit from a full clean-and-restore every 2–4 years. Drives in exposed positions, heavily shaded areas, or with mature trees dropping leaves and sap onto them may need attention more frequently.
A sealed driveway typically needs less frequent full cleaning – often 4–6 years between full restorations, with light maintenance in between. This is one of the reasons sealing is worth considering.
Commercial Driveway and Car Park Cleaning
Commercial Driveways, Car Parks and Forecourts
Alongside residential driveway cleaning, we also work on commercial hardstanding across the Midlands:
- Business car parks and staff parking areas
- Retail forecourts
- Care home driveways and access areas
- Industrial yards and loading bays (within our reachable scope)
- Multi-unit apartment blocks and residential estates
- Educational premises — school drop-off areas and parking
Commercial hardstanding cleaning is scoped with the same four-stage process where applicable, and integrated with our broader commercial building cleaning service for clients who want a single contractor across their whole premises.
Where We Cover
Modus is based in Handsacre, Staffordshire. Our residential driveway coverage matches our render cleaning coverage:
- Lichfield, Burntwood, Tamworth, Rugeley, Stafford, Sutton Coldfield, Little Aston and the surrounding villages
- The wider Staffordshire area
- The West Midlands metropolitan county – Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Birmingham, and the Black Country
Larger commercial hardstanding jobs – car parks, business parks, industrial premises etc are considered further afield across the Midlands.
Why Choose Modus?
Why Choose Modus for Driveway Cleaning
- Full-service restoration, not just cleaning. Weed treatment, Cleaning, resanding and optional sealing. The four-stage process that actually delivers lasting results.
- 13+ years’ experience. Not a general operator who’s added driveways to a longer list – a proper Midlands cleaning specialist.
- Fully insured. Residential and commercial cover.
- Honest quoting. Written quotes after a free site survey. What’s included, what’s optional, what it costs. No surprises.
- Straightforward aftercare guidance. We’ll tell you honestly when the drive is likely to need attention again – usually 2–4 years for a properly-restored drive, longer if sealed.
Request a Quote
Learn More From
Driveway Cleaning Frequently Asked Questions
Cost depends on the size of the drive, the surface type, the level of staining, and whether you add sealing or other options. Most domestic driveway jobs fall within a typical range, and we provide a firm written quote after a free site survey.
Most residential driveways are cleaned, resanded and weed-treated in a single day. Sealing typically requires a second visit 24–48 hours later once the surface is fully dry. Larger drives, commercial forecourts or car parks may take longer.
Yes – as an optional add-on. Sealing locks the joint sand in place, resists stains, and keeps the drive looking cleaner for longer. We use professional-grade sealers matched to the paving type. We’ll discuss whether it makes sense for your drive at survey stage – sealing isn’t right for every driveway.
Weed treatment kills weeds, seeds and root fragments at joint level. Combined with fresh kiln-dried sand and (optionally) sealer, weed regrowth is dramatically slowed – typically 12–24 months of clear paving after treatment. Weeds do eventually return via wind-blown seed; a light annual biocide top-up between full cleans keeps them at bay.
Yes – with the right technique. Resin surfaces need less aggressive cleaning than block paving, and we adjust pressure and equipment accordingly. Resin drives should be cleaned less often than block paving.
Not when done properly. We use the right equipment and technique for each surface type.
Most oil stains lift with a dedicated pre-treatment before the rotary clean. Very old, deeply-set oil staining may not fully clear on a single visit, but we’re honest about what’s realistic at survey stage.
Yes. We use eco-friendly biocides that break down quickly in the environment. We cover any adjacent planting before treatment and advise on keeping pets and children off the freshly-treated surface until it’s dry – typically a few hours.
We need access to the drive and to an outside tap. Beyond that, you don’t need to be present throughout – most customers carry on with their day while we work.
Yes – see the Commercial Driveways section above, or ask about our full commercial building cleaning service.