Spring is one of the best times of year to get a resin driveway installed, as the entire surface will be prepared, laid, and cured well before summer arrives. The drive will see plenty of use over the summer holidays so it pays to be prepared.
Aside from looking fantastic and fitting a wide range of aesthetics, one major selling point of pathways and drives made from resin is that they are also remarkably easy to take care of and maintain.
Their SuDS-compliant drainage avoids standing water, and it is remarkably difficult to damage and stain. However, whilst it is fairly low maintenance, there are a few steps you can take to keep your driveway looking its best.
Regular Gentle Sweeping
As with any other driveway, the best way to avoid stains, grime and the accumulation of dirt is by sweeping away debris, dust, leaves and twigs. Use a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching or damaging the surface.
Exactly how often you will need to do this will depend on the season, with autumn requiring more sweeping than usual, but as long as it is swept when it looks like it needs to be, the drive will last for longer without any major work.
This stops organic material from staining the surface or making it more treacherous to walk on, as well as stops any debris from causing damage to the surface over time.
Leaf Blowing
Alternatively, gently using a leaf blower will have the same result. Whilst it is not as necessary as it can be for other surfaces, sometimes it can be convenient if you are using a leaf blower to clean other parts of the garden.
A leaf blower can be used in place of sweeping, as long as you take extra care with corners, edges and walls where dirt can pile up.
Low Setting Pressure Washing
Alternatively, for deeper cleaning routines, a pressure washer or jet washer can be used, although you should only use a low-pressure setting in order to avoid damaging the resin-bound surface.
Typically, any setting over 1500 psi is excessive, use a wide-angled nozzle and keep it as far away from the ground as you can without focusing on a single area for too long.
Pressure washing is only occasionally necessary; once every two months or whenever it looks like it is required is more than enough to maintain the resin surface.
Use Mild Cleaning Ingredients
Sometimes, with cars sitting on the drive, oil spills, tyre tracks and other stubborn stains can be frustrating to fix and require more than brushing to get rid of.
The biggest advice is to avoid any harsh or abrasive chemicals, as they will damage the resin surface. Instead, use specialist resin cleaners or mild detergents to gently lift the stains from the driveway.
Following this, simply rinse the area with clean water and the dirt will be lifted entirely.
Ultimately, there is not much maintenance and cleaning that needs to be done to keep a resin driveway looking as good as when it was installed, and simple steps can help you to enjoy it longer.