The Short Answer
On our estimates, pressure washing a 50m² driveway costs about £150 to £350, around £3 to £7 per m² with a minimum charge of £100 to £160. Cleaning block paving, brushing new sand into the joints and sealing it is £450 to £1,100. A medium drive takes 4 to 6 hours to clean.
Sealing is optional and priced separately; tarmac isn't usually sealed, and imprinted concrete needs resealing every few years anyway. Too much pressure can mark block paving and wash out its joints, so ask how they'll do it.
Driveway cleaning prices
| Size | Pressure wash | Clean, re-sand and seal | Time to clean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20m² | £100 to £160 | £180 to £440 | 2 to 4 hours |
| 50m² | £150 to £350 | £450 to £1,100 | 4 to 6 hours |
| 90m² | £270 to £630 | £810 to £2,000 | 6 to 8 hours |
What the job involves
- Clearing the drive: cars, pots, leaves and weeds out of the way, and nearby doors and walls protected from splashes.
- A pre-treatment if it needs one: degreaser for oil, weed killer, or an algae remover for moss and green staining.
- Washing, usually from the top of the drive downwards so the water and dirt run off, with the drains and gullies kept clear.
- On block paving, brushing kiln-dried sand back into the joints once it's dry.
- Sealing, if you've paid for it. Keep off a sealed drive for about 24 hours, so plan where the car goes.
By surface
- Block paving: Marshalls advises a medium pressure with the lance at an angle; too much can mark the blocks and break up the jointing, which then needs re-sanding with kiln-dried sand. Never use chemical cleaners on clay pavers.
- Imprinted concrete: cleaned and resealed every few years.
- Tarmac: cleaned, but not usually sealed.
- Resin bound: SureSet, a resin maker, recommends regular sweeping and an occasional power wash.
- Permeable drives: the government's guidance says to clear leaves, mud and litter before they clog the surface.
Why prices vary so much
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a driveway cost to clean?
On our estimates, about £150 to £350 to pressure wash a 50m² drive, or £450 to £1,100 to clean, re-sand and seal block paving.
Is power washing a driveway worth it?
It shifts dirt, moss and tyre marks, and keeping dirt off block paving stops weeds rooting in the joints. I'd wash it at least once a year.
Can you jet wash a driveway?
Yes, most surfaces, but at a medium pressure with the lance angled, not close up: too much pressure can mark block paving and wash its joints out.
How long does it take to jet wash a driveway?
About 2 to 4 hours for a small drive, 4 to 6 for a medium one and up to 8 for a large one.
How long before I can drive on a sealed driveway?
About 24 hours, though I'd check the sealer's instructions.
Is it worth sealing a block paved driveway?
It's optional. On our estimates it adds about £4 to £10 per m² to a clean, and imprinted concrete needs it every few years regardless.
How we priced thisView sources (5, 1 official)
Rules come from the legislation and official guidance, read at source. Prices are our estimates: we check them against trade price data, retailer shelf prices and specialists' price lists, then build them up from their parts so the totals add up. Below are the sources behind the page; the trade price guides we only compare against aren’t listed. Where sources disagreed, we've said so. More on our method.
- OfficialGuidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens (September 2008), Department for Communities and Local Government (GOV.UK). Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- IndustryHow to clean block paving driveways, Marshalls. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- IndustryResin bound paving FAQ, SureSet. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- Trade guideCost to clean a driveway, Checkatrade. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- Trade guidePatio cleaning cost, Checkatrade. Checked 15 Oct 2026.
