Gas Spill Driveway Damage

Exercise care when handling gasoline to reduce the chance of spills and the damage they can cause.

When gasoline comes in contact with the driveway, it will leave an unsightly and smelly stain that -- if not treated promptly -- can become permanent. In addition, gasoline may eat away at the driveway causing deterioration that is costly to repair. If you work fast enough using the proper tools, you can remove the gas and prevent driveway damage.

Pretreatment

Driveways are typically made from a porous material such as concrete or asphalt. In order to remove all traces of the gas spill you must first absorb the fuel and pull it out of the driveway’s pores. To start, cover the gas spill with clean cat litter and let it sit for several hours before sweeping the kitty litter up with a broom. Use a dustpan to scoop the soiled litter off the driveway and discard it in a garbage bag.

Hand Washing

Hand washing the driveway allows you to pay special attention to any lingering gas stains on the surface. Add 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate to 1 gallon of hot water and mix thoroughly with a spoon. Trisodium phosphate, or TSP, is a heavy-duty concentrated cleaning powder used to clean a wide array of surfaces. With a scrub brush saturated in the mixture, begin scrubbing the gas stain in a vigorous back-and-forth motion for several minutes. After you have removed the stain, rinse the driveway clean with a water hose.

Power Washing

Also called pressure washing, power washing will help dislodge grease and grime on the driveway while removing gas stains. Unfortunately, improper use of a power washer can cause more harm than good. Before using a power washer read and follow all warnings and directions, as each brand has its own specific instructions or proper use. To increase the likelihood of removing all stains from the driveway, cover the stained areas with a degreaser and let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a brush. Fill the washer canister with the cleaning solution and secure the water hose to the other end of the power washer. Using a setting of 3000 PSI, start at one end of the driveway and move the stream of water down the surface in even and overlapping strokes.

Considerations

Before working with any type of chemicals, protect your hands by wearing rubber gloves. Most chemicals can cause skin irritation.

You can rent or purchase pressure washers at home improvement stores and tool rental centers. When using a power washer, never point it at people or animals. The pressure from the water can cause serious bodily injury.

References

• Don Vandervort's HomeTips.com; How to Clean & Repair a Driveway; Don Vandervort
• Home Addition Plus; Removing Oil Stains from Asphalt Driveways; Mark J. Donovan
• Renovation Headquarters: How to Repair a Gas Spill on Asphalt
• Ultimate Washer: Pressure Washing Driveways
• Pressure Washer Industry Resource Center: How to Pressure Wash Your Home’s Driveway
• Manatee County Water Atlas: How Do You Clean Your Concrete Driveway?