Tarmac driveways are popular with homeowners and businesses across the Northwest — and it’s easy to see why. They are durable, neat, and easy to clean and maintain. While you may already know how to clean up minor spillages and dirt from your tarmac driveway, oil marks can be stubborn.
Whether you’ve recently installed a new tarmac driveway or you’ve noticed spillages on an older surface, we’re here to walk you through how to remove oil from tarmac. Your drive will soon be looking as good as new.
What are the common causes of oil spills on driveways?
Most oil stains on tarmac driveways come from vehicles. It’s easy to spill a few drops when changing your car’s oil or you may find your vehicle has an oil leak that needs repairing.
Other causes include:
- Machinery, such as lawnmowers or petrol-powered tools — if you’ve been using this equipment near your drive or have had to transport them across it, then the odd spillage is likely.
- Oil from spills elsewhere sticking to your vehicle tyres and leaving marks on the driveway.
- In some cases, rain carrying oil residue from nearby spillages can cause stains on driveways.
Why is it important to remove oil from your driveway?
As well as causing unsightly stains, oil spills on your driveway can pose environmental risks. If left, it can end up being washed away into drains, where it can enter waterways. Because it is made up of petroleum- or synthetic-based hydrocarbons, motor oil can then pollute local water systems, causing harm to plants and wildlife.
With this in mind, it’s important to clean driveway oil spills as quickly as possible. Handling the situation with haste can also reduce the amount of staining on your drive — the longer oil is left, the more it can permeate your tarmac surface, becoming more stubborn to clean.
How to remove oil from your tarmac driveway
Regardless of the cause, finding oil stains on your tarmac driveway can be frustrating. The good news is that you can easily clean the spillage and restore your drive to pristine condition.
What you’ll need to remove oil from tarmac
It can be tempting to pick up some ready-made oil or grease-removing solutions. If you do so, make sure the mix is suitable for tarmac, as some formulas are too harsh and can damage your driveway’s surface.
Alternatively, we suggest using mild detergent (such as washing up liquid) and baking soda.
You’ll also need:
- Paper towels
- Sawdust, cat litter, or a similar absorbent material
- A scrubbing brush or broom with firm bristles
- Rubber gloves
- Eye protection
- A bucket of clean water
- A pressure washer (optional, for stubborn stains)
Removing oil and stains from your tarmac driveway
Once you’ve gathered your essentials, follow these simple steps to get your tarmac driveway clean and fresh.
- If there is any oil left on the driveway, blot it using paper towels — don’t rub as this can worsen any staining.
- Sprinkle some sawdust or cat litter to absorb any remaining liquid. You can then sweep or scoop this away.
- Mix your mild detergent and baking soda into a paste, adding a small amount of warm water.
- Apply the paste to the oil stain and work it in using the scrubbing brush.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Depending on how stubborn the stain is, you may need to repeat steps 4 and 5 several times until it is gone.
Pressure washing
If these steps don’t fully remove the oil marks from your tarmac driveway, try using a pressure washer. Only use cold water to protect the tarmac surface, and use a low-pressure setting — too high, and you run the risk of stripping the top layer of the tarmac.
What can I put on my tarmac driveway to prevent oil stains?
If you’ve just had a new tarmac driveway installed or you’ve recently cleaned up an oil spill, you may be wondering if there’s a way to prevent oil stains in the future. We recommend adding a layer of protective sealant. These dedicated solutions will create a barrier so that oil can’t penetrate the tarmac and stain.
Other preventative measures include:
- Regularly checking for oil spills — the quicker you spot and clean them, the less damage they will cause.
- Removing the liquid before it can seep in — again, fast action can limit the damage.
- Regular vehicle maintenance to reduce the risk of oil leaks.
- Using drip trays or containers to catch any droplets when changing your car’s oil or carrying out any repairs involving oil.
High-quality tarmac driveways from North West Surfacing
If it’s time to completely refresh your driveway with a fresh layer of tarmac, our surfacing contractors are here to help. We provide long-lasting tarmac driveways made from reliable VIADRIVE® asphalt.
Learn more about our tarmac driveway services and contact us for a no-obligation quote.