How to Clean Block Paving in Gloucester Without Damaging It

Block paving is one of the most popular driveway choices in Gloucester — and for good reason. It looks smart, it's durable, and it adds real kerb appeal to your property. But after a few Gloucestershire winters of rain, frost, and moss growth, even the best-laid block paving can start looking tired, stained, and slippery.

The temptation is to blast it with the highest pressure washer setting you can find. That's also the fastest way to damage it. Here's how to clean block paving properly — the way we do it at Glevum Hydro — without cracking, dislodging, or scouring your driveway.

Why Block Paving Needs Specialist Care

Block paving is made from concrete or clay blocks laid on a bed of sand with kiln-dried jointing sand between them. That sand is what holds everything in place. If you blast it with too much pressure, you'll wash the sand out, destabilise the blocks, and end up with a wobbly, uneven driveway.

Too much pressure can also scour the surface of the blocks themselves, leaving permanent streaks and removing the protective top layer. Once that's gone, the blocks become more porous and more prone to staining and algae growth in future.

The Professional Block Paving Cleaning Process

1. Pre-Treatment and Weed Removal

Before any water touches the surface, we manually remove weeds, moss, and debris from the joints. This prevents organic matter from being pushed deeper into the sand during cleaning. We then apply a biocidal treatment to kill algae and moss at the root — not just the visible growth on top.

2. Controlled Pressure Washing

This is where experience matters. We use adjustable pressure washers with flat surface cleaners — not lance attachments — to deliver an even, controlled clean across the entire driveway. The pressure is set high enough to remove stains, algae, and ingrained dirt, but low enough to protect the surface of the blocks and preserve the jointing sand.

3. Re-Sanding the Joints

After cleaning, the jointing sand will have been partially removed — this is normal. Once the paving is completely dry, we brush kiln-dried sand back into the joints. This re-stabilises the blocks and prevents them from shifting under vehicle weight.

4. Optional Sealing

For customers who want to protect their investment long-term, we can apply a quality paving sealer. This helps resist oil stains, inhibits weed and moss growth, and enhances the natural colour of the blocks. Sealing isn't essential, but it does extend the life of your clean significantly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a narrow lance jet on full power — this scours the surface and strips the sand
• Cleaning without pre-treating moss and algae — they'll just grow back within weeks
• Re-sanding while the paving is still wet — the sand won't settle properly into the joints
• Using bleach or harsh chemicals — these can discolour the blocks and kill nearby plants
• Skipping the re-sanding step entirely — your blocks will start to rock and shift

How Often Should You Clean Block Paving in Gloucester?

For most driveways in Gloucestershire, we recommend a professional clean every 12–18 months. Properties surrounded by trees or in shaded areas may need cleaning more frequently due to faster moss and algae growth. A good rule of thumb: if the paving is starting to go green or you can see weeds in the joints, it's time.

Professional Block Paving Cleaning in Gloucester

If your block paving is looking tired, stained, or slippery, Glevum Hydro can restore it to looking like new. We handle the entire process — weed removal, pressure washing, re-sanding, and optional sealing — so you don't have to lift a finger.

We serve Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Tewkesbury, and across Gloucestershire. Get in touch for a free quote and see the difference professional block paving cleaning makes.