20 Aug Why driveway cleaning is an important part of property maintenance in autumn

Following Christmas celebrations and the coldest months of the year, many people enjoy a good ‘Spring Clean’. It’s a chance to clear the house of clutter and start the year with a clean slate.

We like to make our properties look their best in time for the flowers to bloom so that we can enjoy our homes and gardens throughout the summer. But what about maintenance in autumn? Preparations for winter are just as important. Preparing your driveway is no exception.

Why plan driveway cleaning for autumn?

It might seem counter-intuitive to schedule a visit from a driveway cleaning service when it’s raining non-stop outside, but this is actually the perfect time to do it.

The near-constant surface water that comes with autumn rain, along with cooler temperatures, can make your driveway a health and safety risk. These are perfect conditions for moss growth.

Wet moss on a driveway can be a slip hazard. Often, alongside the very obvious green moss, there’s almost-invisible algae. No paving slab is safe. Things become even more hazardous when winter ice is added to the mix.

By arranging professional driveway cleaning and patio cleaning in autumn, you’re starting the winter months moss-free.

How should your driveway be cleaned in autumn?

Professional driveway cleaning services will use exactly the right equipment, including pressure washers, to clear moss and algae from your driveway. Additional chemical products like bleach, or moss and algae killer, can be used where necessary.

Which surfaces are most at risk?

Wooden surfaces, like decking, can be at risk of considerable algae growth and will become very slippy in wet weather. But, so can your paved driveway. All surfaces come with their own risks, which is why it’s vital not to be complacent.

Smooth surfaces like paved driveways are easier to slip on even with small amounts of moss, but rough tarmac driveways have many little craters that make ideal growing spaces. If driveway maintenance has been neglected in previous years, you may already have some long-standing moss (or even weeds growing through) that new growth will simply intensify.

What about other people?

If you’re confident that you can walk carefully and don’t need to invest in driveway cleaning, then think carefully about other people. Those that make deliveries to your house, like parcel couriers, are also at risk. So, too, are elderly relatives who may be less steady on their feet.

Keeping your driveway clean and safe is your responsibility, and risks can increase through the winter. By arranging professional driveway cleaning, you reduce the chance of injury on your property.