The durability, skid resistance, and ability to raise the value of your home are all differences between poured concrete and paving stones. However, they have one thing in common: Tire marks can stain or dis colour them because they are both permeable materials.
Skid marks and tire scuffs can appear on any common driveway material, including concrete, bricks, natural stone, and pavers. Sealing offers some protection to the driveway against the stains. Tire markings can appear on asphalt also, but they are less evident on asphalt driveways.
It’s time to clear up that annoying tire scuff you’ve meant to clean up but haven’t yet. If you have decided to remove these marks today, try to figure out how to remove tire marks from concrete. The answer isn’t as straightforward as it may appear, but you may have already recognized that if you’ve tried and failed to wash it off.
Fortunately, we’ve put together all the tips on how to get rid of tire marks on concrete. So, let’s start discussing these points in detail for further considerations.
Table of Contents
Avoid Using the Harsh Chemicals And Cleaning Tools
Metal wire brushes that are too stiff can leave visible markings on any stone or concrete surface. These will usually appear as scratches or scrapes on your driveway and will detract from its attractiveness. Bleach is not an environmentally friendly alternative, especially if you plan on rinsing your driveway after cleaning.
Moreover, the bleach may harm your surroundings because of spreading in the nearby gardens or drains. Using bleach on coloured concrete is also not a good idea because it can discolour the area primarily to the concrete driveway.
Undoubtedly, concrete cleaners containing harsh chemicals can successfully remove stains and blemishes. But they can also discolour or harm concrete and stone surfaces. On a sealed driveway, using a powerful solvent or other chemicals might deteriorate or peel the sealer permanently.
Steps To Remove The Tire Marks
If you want to clean the driveway from tire marks yourself, you have to follow the mentioned- below steps for efficient and long-lasting cleaning results.
1) Use a Soft Bristle Broom For Removing the Marks
First, try cleaning tire marks with water and a bristle brush or broom even before trying harsher remedies. In case of soft marks and spills, this will suffice to complete the task. Ideally, it will help you save money on industrial cleaners and the hassle of rinsing such cleaners into your landscape or a storm drain.
Moreover, degreasers are available online and in-home improvement stores. This method is less harmful to the environment than using diluted bleach. But you may need to repeat the process if the marks are still on the pavement.
If the stain is large, don’t bother degreasing it with light domestic soap. In that case, use high-quality trisodium phosphate.
2) Use A Stiff Brush For Scrubbing
Most people think all they need to do is pour on the cleaner and let it soak for a few minutes before power washing it away. But scraping it with a straw brush usually works better. All you need to do is cleaning the surface using a high-quality concrete Scrub Brush to help the degreaser soak appropriately. Moreover, scrub the driveway again after 30 minutes only if needed.
3) Use Commercial Degreaser For Stubborn Marks
If the mentioned above steps are not enough to remove the marks from your driveway, a commercial degreaser can eliminate or get rid of hard marks. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you want to use a commercial or chemical-based degreaser.
Keep in mind; you have to avoid the solution rinsing off into the drains or gardens. Otherwise, the chemicals may harm other species and also humans. However, it would be great not to use the commercial degreaser for a sealed driveway.
4) Hire Professionals For Pressure Cleaning
No doubt, you can do the pressure cleaning of the driveway yourself. But it will be great if you hire professionals for this purpose. The reason is that an average person doesn’t know how to handle high-end machinery or cleaning tools.
But the experts have complete knowledge about it. Moreover, they try to offer pressure cleaning services with higher quality. So, you don’t need to repeat the cleaning process repeatedly to get rid of tire marks.
Make sure to do the pressure cleaning with appropriate intensity or according to the condition of your driveway. Otherwise, an improper or higher pressure may harm the paved area.
Moreover, the higher pressure of the water may leave unrecoverable marks or spots on the driveway. On the other hand, excessive pressure may also damage the stones and joint sand. Unfortunately, you have to replace the sand or stones in case of damages.
How To Prevent The Marks On The Driveway?
A simple and most suitable option to save the driveway from the tire marks is that avoid parking the recently drive car in the paved area. The reason is that the marks occur only when the tires are hot. That’s why it is better to park the car in the driveway after a few minutes once the tires have a cold.
Make sure to park the cars on the deck or porch instead of the driveway in the hot season. In this way, you can save the paved area from the heated tire marks.
If you don’t have any other area to park the car, cover the driveway with a shed to keep it cool even in the hot Summer. To save the paved area from marks, make sure to drive out the car from the driveway slowly, especially in the summer season.
Final Verdict
Hopefully, after reading all the mentioned above steps and instructions, you will enjoy parking your car on a mark-free driveway! Now, it’s your turn to treat your marked driveways and paved areas by following the discussed guidelines and instructions.
