The Brew Cabin

Hello,

I've got a block paved (Lafarge 60mm pavers) drive now 12 months old.

After recent snow, ice, slush etc thawed out, I noticed two broad dark stains (18" wide) running up drive (originally greyish coloured pavers).

I can only assume that this is to do with car going up and down drive (only twice a day!).

Any ideas on what it is?
How to remove them?
Why after 12 months has it "suddenly" appeared?

Help much appreciated.....great site! (used a lot during initial decision to pace drive)

Thanks

I can't say why these marks have 'suddenly appeared'. Maybe you've just suddenly noticed them, as, if they are tyre marks, which would be the most likely cause, then they build up progressively, rather than overnight, while no-one's watching!

I've seen a couple of products on the market which claim to remove tyre marks from concrete pavings, but I've never tested them, so I can't say whether they're any good or not, but I'd try a power wash first and see if that helps. I wouldn't build up my hopes, though.

Tyre marks are, in my experience, almost impossible to shift. Some contractors tell me they've had reasonable results using the brick/patio cleaning products, which are all acid-based and work by attacking the concrete of the paver, rather than the rubber compound, but you have to be careful with any of the acid-based cleaners, as they can have nasty side-effects on the iron oxide based dyes used in concrete pavers.

If you do get the paving clean, and you want to avoid repetition, then maybe it'd be a good idea to consider using a sealant that will minimise any such marking.