Why Your Driveway Turns Dark and Green (and How to Fix It)

Make your driveway look new again.

Your driveway is the first thing people see when they pull up to your home. When it was poured, it was bright and even. A few Ohio winters later, it's dark, blotchy, and maybe a little green along the edges. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Nearly every driveway in the Chagrin Valley goes through it.

Here's what causes it, why it matters for more than looks, and how to bring your concrete back.

What's making your concrete dark

Concrete is porous. It soaks up whatever lands on it, and in Northeast Ohio a lot lands on it:

• Road salt and slush tracked in all winter, which leaves a gray, chalky film.
• Mildew and algae that grow in our damp springs, especially in shady spots and along the edges.
• Tire marks from turning in and out of the garage.
• Leaf and tannin stains from trees that drop leaves, seeds and pods every fall.
• Oil and fluid drips where cars park.

Each one is small on its own. Together, over a few years, they add up to a driveway that looks much older than it is.

Why the green stuff matters

Algae and mildew aren't just ugly. When they're wet, they make steps, walkways and pool decks slippery. That's a real safety issue for kids, older family members and anyone carrying groceries in the rain.

Growth also holds moisture in the surface. In a climate with as many freeze and thaw cycles as ours, trapped moisture can speed up wear on the concrete.

How a professional driveway cleaning works

A garden hose and a scrub brush won't reach the dirt that's soaked into concrete. A power washer will, but the way it's used matters. A plain wand held too close can leave stripes and swirl marks that look worse than the dirt did.

We clean driveways edge to edge with surface cleaning equipment. It spins under a cover and holds an even distance from the concrete, so the whole driveway comes out with a consistent, streak-free finish. Then everything gets rinsed clean, including the garage apron, walkways and steps. See our driveway and concrete cleaning service for everything we clean.

How often should you clean your driveway?

Most driveways look their best with a cleaning once a year. Spring is a great time, right after the salt season ends. If your driveway sits under trees or stays shaded most of the day, it may green up faster.

Keeping it up is easier than catching up. A yearly cleaning stops growth and stains from setting in deep.

A few things you can do between cleanings

• Sweep or blow off leaves in the fall before they sit and stain.
• Clean up oil drips quickly with an absorbent like kitty litter.
• Trim back shrubs that keep the edges of the driveway in shade.
• Make sure downspouts don't drain across the concrete.

Get your driveway looking new again

Water Warriors cleans driveways, sidewalks, steps, patios and pool decks for homes in Chagrin Falls, Chesterland, Hunting Valley, Pepper Pike, Novelty, Russell and nearby. Call or text (216) 903-0185, or request a free quote and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.