Maybe it has something to do with Murphy’s Law, but stains and spills always seem to have a way of showing up on your asphalt driveway! Even if you try to be careful, something’s probably going to happen to mar up your otherwise nice-looking driveway.
Oil spills can occur in a variety of ways, especially if you have a snow blower, a lawn mower, or an older vehicle that leaks fluid. Other possible causes of unsightly driveway stains could be piles of wet leaves or a mulch delivery that was dumped on your asphalt and left there for too long.
Regardless of the culprit, there are some tried-and-true methods that will effectively cover up, minimize, or remove almost any stain from your driveway. Keep reading to find out more!
Tips for Removing Driveway Stains
Although sealcoating your driveway is a surefire way to cover up driveway stains and other flaws, you could certainly save a lot of money by attempting to clean it yourself. Before contacting a local paving or sealcoating company, here is a series of cleaning steps you might want to consider to get rid of the driveway stain on your own:
- Thoroughly spray down the area with a garden hose or an adjusted power washer.
- Apply soap, dishwashing liquid, or diluted vinegar to the stained area.
- Scrub with a bristled brush.
- Rinse with the concentrated spray setting on your garden hose.
- Repeat this process one or two more times as needed.
Cleaning Fresh Spills on Your Driveway
You’re at a slight advantage if you catch an oil spill that’s just happened, as opposed to trying to play catch-up after it’s been there a while.
After you’ve used an old rag to soak up as much of the spill as possible, sprinkling some non-clumping cat litter on the spot can help absorb more of the remaining spill. After a few hours (or even overnight), you can then sweep away the debris, hose down the area, and follow up with the five-step process outlined above.
In many cases, this simple and inexpensive asphalt cleaning method will significantly improve the appearance of your driveway. However, if you’re dissatisfied with the results or would like to consult with an experienced driveway professional, don’t hesitate to give us a call at United Asphalt Paving.
With over 25 years of experience in the field, you can count on us for sound advice, reasonable prices, fast turnaround time, and an array of essential paving services that homeowners and businesses in Houston and Fort Worth need.