Top 5 Signs Your Driveway Needs Cleaning

Written By Jiho Rhee

Your driveway is one of the first things people notice about your home, and one of the first things to collect stains, moss, and buildup over time. Whether it’s concrete, pavers, or asphalt, regular cleaning isn’t just about appearances. It’s about protecting your property and keeping things safe.

So how do you know when it’s time to give your driveway some attention?

Here are five signs your driveway might need a professional clean.

Oil stain on a concrete driveway beneath the front of a parked car, indicating a common sign that professional driveway cleaning may be needed.

1. Oil Stains or Dark Spots

Vehicles can leak oil, brake fluid, or other drips that leave behind blotchy black stains. Over time, these soak into porous surfaces and become harder to remove. On lighter-colored driveways, even small spots stand out.

Try this: Sprinkle baking soda over the spot, let it sit overnight, then scrub with dish soap and warm water. You may lighten the stain if it’s fresh.

Professional solution: We apply concrete-safe degreasers and use commercial surface cleaners to extract deep-set oil stains without damaging your driveway.

Cracked and dirty concrete driveway with weeds and moss growing in the joints, showing signs of neglect and buildup requiring professional cleaning

2. Moss, Mildew, or Algae Buildup

Green or black growth is common in shady or damp driveways, especially during our wet seasons in Bonney Lake and Puyallup. It starts as a green film but can turn black, spread fast, and create a slippery surface.

Try this: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a pump sprayer. Apply to mossy areas and scrub with a stiff broom after 10–15 minutes.

Professional solution: We use soft-wash solutions to kill growth at the root, followed by surface cleaning to remove buildup and help prevent it from returning.

Wet asphalt driveway in front of a suburban home, showing a slick surface that can become slippery and hazardous after rain.

3. Slippery When Wet

If your driveway gets slick after rain, fine dust, algae, or sealant breakdown could be reducing traction.

Try this:

Sweep regularly and rinse the surface with a garden hose and a wide spray nozzle to remove debris.

Professional solution:

We use high pressure cleaning with detergents that lift buildup while restoring grip, safe for kids, pets, and visitors.

Concrete driveway with visible tiger striping and patchy discoloration from uneven or improper pressure washing.

4. Patchy Color or “Tiger Stripes”

Uneven color or streaking often results from sun exposure, partial cleaning, or DIY jobs with inconsistent pressure.

Try this:

Use a uniform sweeping motion with a store-bought pressure washer, keeping the nozzle 12 inches from the surface. Avoid “wand hovering.”

Professional solution:

We use flat-surface cleaners that apply consistent pressure across the full area, no streaks, no lines, and no second-guessing.

Modern home with a discolored and dirty concrete driveway that detracts from the overall appearance in a real estate listing photo.

5. The Driveway Looks Dull in Listing Photos

When you’re preparing to sell a home, high-quality photos are everything, and a stained or dull driveway stands out in the worst way. If the driveway looks gray, patchy, or uneven in your listing photos or walk-throughs, it’s a sign it needs attention before showings begin.

Try this:

Before photography day, sweep the driveway thoroughly and spray it down to remove loose dirt. If you’re short on time, photo-editing won’t fix the curb appeal in real life, clean the surface to match the photos.

Professional solution:

We offer fast-turnaround driveway cleaning for home sellers, flippers, and real estate agents, restoring curb appeal and making the first impression count. Most jobs take just a couple hours and can be bundled with house or patio cleaning for a full refresh before you go live.

Want to Save the Saturday?

We help homeowners throughout Bonney Lake, Tacoma, Puyallup, Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, and South Hill get cleaner, safer driveways — without the hassle. Whether you’re getting ready to sell or simply want to boost curb appeal, we make it easy to get the job done right the first time.


📍 Need a fast, no-obligation quote?

No guesswork. No wasted weekends. Just reliable results you can count on.


Jiho Rhee