How to Choose a Driveway Cleaner in London (Checklist)

"Driveway cleaner near me" gets nearly 10,000 UK searches a month. A lot of those searchers end up with a cheap wash that looks great for a fortnight and terrible by autumn. Here's how to pick someone who does it properly.

Ask these five questions before booking

1. Do you use hot or cold water? Hot water (up to 150°C) kills moss spores and lifts oil. Cold-only jobs regrow faster.
2. Is re-sanding included? If they're cleaning block paving without re-sanding, you'll be weeding in six months.
3. What happens to the waste water? Reputable London cleaners collect and dispose of it — several boroughs require this near drains.
4. Are you insured? £1M+ public liability is standard. Ask for the certificate.
5. Do you offer sealing? Sealing after cleaning is the single biggest quality-of-life upgrade — a cleaner who never mentions it is doing volume work.

Red flags

• No fixed address or landline.
• Quotes without seeing the driveway (or at least photos).
• Very low prices (< £3/m²) — usually cold-water only.
• Cash-only, no receipt.

Green flags

• Consistent 5-star reviews mentioning the finish weeks later, not just on the day.
• Willingness to send before/after photos of recent London jobs.
• Clear line-item quote: clean, weed treatment, re-sand, seal.

What to expect on the day

A two-car London driveway takes 2–4 hours. The team should arrive with a hot-water pressure washer, surface cleaner, kiln-dried sand and — if sealing — a leaf blower to dry the surface. Expect the drive to be off-limits for 24 hours after sealing.