Can car washing damage tarmac?

[NickJ]

Hi all. I live in a block of flats that has recently had its communal access road resurfaced with tarmac (sorry I can't be any more specific than that!).

Some of the neighbours have decided that car washing is no longer allowed on this access road as this will 'damage' the tarmac - particularly because of the 'chemicals' involved!

I'm no expert but this sounds ludicrous to me. How could car washing cause damage, surely a bit of rain would have the same effect but worse? And why would I use chemicals that can dissolve tarmac to wash my car? I would very much appreciate some advice or comments from people with a little more experience than me - and who can maybe offer a bit of science to prove me right.

Many thanks!

[Carberry]

I'm sorry to say that you're living next door to idiots. I suffer from the same affliction, they don't want a petrol lawnmower kept in a shed out the back in case it spontaneously combusts.

Don't wash your car with diesel, petrol, or brake fluid and the road will be fine. And don't dry it off with a flamethrower.

[seanandruby]

Why not ban cars etc; altogether, because oil leaks and fuel leaks will do the damage ??? I'd just ignore them and wash your car, they will soon follow suit.

[GB_Groundworks]

car washing will not affect asphalt assuming the run off is not harvested for grey water or gardening tasks.

i think they maybe getting confused with permeable paving where it is not advised to wash your car on it for fear of blocking the permeability of it.

[Dave_L]

I wouldn't advise the washing of vehicles with strong detergents (TFR and strong alloy wheel cleaners) on a fresh bitmac surface.

But for normal car washing, no problem.