How to clean and look after resin bound surfacing
A resin bound driveway, patio or pathway needs very little looking after, and a few simple habits keep it looking new for years. Here is what to do in the first few days, how to clean it, and how to deal with the odd stain.
The first 72 hours matter most
Resin takes time to cure fully. Timings depend on the temperature, so always follow the exact advice your installer gives you. As a general guide:
24–48 hours
48–72 hours
Keep it dry and clear
Four things to avoid
Resin bound is tough, but these are the habits that cause most damage over the years.
Turning wheels on the spot
Heavy loads and impacts
Fuel and solvents
Covering the surface
How to clean resin bound surfacing
Regular cleaning is the best way to keep it looking good, and it matters even more on lighter colours.
Everyday cleaning: sweep off leaves and debris, then jet wash when it needs a refresh. Hold the lance at 90 degrees to the surface and at least 300mm away. Getting closer can pull stones out.
For a deeper clean on soiled areas, Vuba recommend mixing 1.5 litres of liquid sodium hypochlorite (sold by pool-maintenance suppliers) with 4.5 litres of water and 100ml of non-oxidising shampoo, such as baby shampoo.
- Wet the whole area with clean water first.
- Apply the mix with a pump sprayer over the entire surface, not just the dirty spots.
- Scrub gently with a stiff brush.
- After 15 minutes, rinse thoroughly with clean water, keeping the run-off away from plants and lawn.
Wear gloves and eye protection, and never mix cleaning products together.
Stains, weeds and moss: what to do
Oil can soak into any hard surface, but it should not stain if you mop up spills quickly with an absorbent material. If a mark remains, use an emulsifying degreaser. Keep solvents off the surface and contact us or Vuba if you cannot shift a stain.
Rust usually comes from BBQs, metal flower baskets and other garden items sitting on the surface. In rare cases, natural stone in the mix contains pyrite, which can rust when it gets wet. Either kind can be treated with a non-acidic rust stain remover, used to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Most tyre marks come off with steam cleaning, or by scrubbing the area with detergent and hot water.
A permeable membrane under the base stops weeds growing up from below. If a few seeds land and sprout in the surface itself, a jet wash clears them easily. Weeds pushing up from underneath point to a missing membrane, which the resin surface cannot prevent.
These build up in shaded spots and under trees. If they appear, treat the area with a suitable product, following the maker’s instructions.
Like any paving, resin bound can be stained by fruit, berries and wet leaves. Sweep or wash them off before they have time to leach into the surface.
Refresh it with a sealer
After a deep clean, a diluted polyurethane UV sealer can extend the life of the surface. A good time to do it is two to four years after installation. Ask us and we will advise whether your surface would benefit.
Need advice on your surface?
We are an approved installer of Vuba Surfaces resin bound systems. If you are unsure about a stain or a cleaning product, get in touch and we will help.