Last Updated on November 27, 2022 by
Asphalt pavements are pretty common across the USA and rest of the world too. Paved driveways run along domestic and commercial buildings. The generic dark appearance of an asphalt paved surface looks elegant. Also, it is a durable solution as well. However, like anything that sits outdoors, elements have their toll on asphalt pavements too.
Although these paved surfaces are very much weather-proofed in many ways, some kind of damage and degradation is to be expected. Also, one of the most common problems outdoor paved surfaces see is staining. There are different kinds of stains that can lay up on paved surfaces. Mulch and oil stains are some of the most common. So, here’s what you can do to keep your driveway looking attractive:
Mulch Stains and How to Deal with Them?
When you get a colored stain on your driveway or any paved surface, it is most likely mulch. These kinds of stains are known to wear off slowly over time. However, many home and commercial property owners want their stains to be removed quickly. So, here’s what you can do:
- Simply, rinse the stained surface with clean water. Power wash isn’t actually recommended as it can drive the stain even deeper into the paved surface.
- Next, apply vinegar or soap to the stained surface. Also, scrub the soap into the surface. Use a soft brush and make circular motions with it softening the stain materials.
- Most often, from here, you can just rinse off the soap. Use a low-pressure rinse and most stains should go away. However, if it still persists:
- Get two gallons of water and pour two capfuls of bleach into it. Mix it well and then scrub that bleach solution into the stain directly. Make small circular motions with the brush again. Cover the stained part of the driveway completely and let the solution sit on it for 30-60 minutes. After that, was away the bleach with a low-pressure rinse again. It should be clean at this point.
How to Avoid Mulch Stains from Developing?
Mulch stains are almost always directly dependent on weather conditions. When you have the rainy season or just rain in the forecast, delay mulch delivery. Get your mulch delivered when the weather is nice, dry and shiny. Rain water bleeds the mulch dye onto the pavement where it stays for longer.
Also, many times, drives that get too old and do not get attended to a lot, will have permanent mulch stains too. If you need a driveway relay, contact a good driveway paving company Washington . New ones are always looking nice for a long time too.
Oil Stains and How to Remove Them?
There are different ways oils can make it onto your driveway or paved surface. If you have a dripping engine, oil is sure to stain the parking area on the pavement. Also, these oil stains vary in color and spotting. Here’s what you can do for a quick fix:
- Some oil stains have quite excessive amounts of oil on the surface. If there is some oil on it, make sure to blot it up first as much as possible. Use sprinkling kitty litter or something similar over the oil stain surface. Allow it to soak up that oil as much as possible. Sweep the litter away once it has soaked up oil and dispose. At best, leave the litter on there for a good number of hours.
- TSP (Tri-Sodium Phosphate) is a great method to remove oil stains from asphalt driveways. You will need to create a paste from TSP and water. Different thicknesses can be used however, denser the better. Scrub this paste right on the oil-stained surface with a long brush. Let the paste sit on the oil stain for 30-60 minutes.
- Also, you can use commercial degreasers instead of TSP when preferred. However, it is a good idea to avoid degreasers that have solvents in them. These will remove the oil stain but can also damage the driveway underneath too. When using degreasers, follow instructions on the bottle or container. Scrub it nicely onto the stain. It will break the oil stain. After that happens, rinse off with low-pressure water as well.
How to Avoid Oil Stains on Driveways?
The best way to keep your asphalt driveway clean from oil stains is to have no engines dripping oil. Proper vehicle engine maintenance can keep them free from oil dripping. Also, cleaning your driveway often avoids these oil stains from collection and spreading. When you have an oil stain, car tires that roll off on it will spread it on other parts of the driveway too. So, make sure to continue your regular driveway maintenance to get best results of a clean, elegant looking asphalt driveway.
When You Need a New Driveway?
Although these stains should not be the reason for a new driveway, there are others that can be. If your driveway is wearing and developing cracks of different kinds, it may be time for a new one. Or, you can get proper driveway maintenance from quality asphalt paving company as well.
Thing with cracks and damages is that once they appear, they often spread widely. Maintaining your driveway is always cheaper than getting a new one. However, judge the situation nicely. When you need a new one, there are some quality service providers available for the job too.
