Patio Spring-Cleaning Tips

It’s that time of year again. The weather is warming up and it’s bound to pull you into your outdoor living space with family and friends for good times around your patio before you even know it. Get ahead of the season now with these patio maintenance tips.

Patio Spring-Cleaning Tips for Pavers

Of course, we recommend pavers to begin with because cement will crack in time. Use a broom to sweep off any debris so that you can perform a visual inspection and make decisions on what to do next. 

The first step of any springtime paver patio maintenance is to take a close look at any wear from last season and especially any weathering from rain and snow and the freeze-thaw cycle, if that applies. Check the joints between pavers for washed out sand. You’ll want to reapply the original sand product to any gaps before green things start sprouting down in the cracks and encourage further erosion to set in. Match the color as best you can, but don’t neglect patching things up if you can’t find an identical color match. Weathering tends to blend it all together over time. 

Next is to take a keen look at the pavers themselves. Get your eyes closer to ground level if possible and look for any settling or heaving in the pavers. Look for high corners or edges, joints that buckle upward together, or low spots where water can collect. If you see possible problems, we recommend reaching out to us for an evaluation sooner than later. Even minimal changes can be early signs of problems in the underlayment, and fixing these problems sooner can lead to savings later on, preserving the longevity of your patio. 

Once the more structural elements are out of the way, you’re ready to bring the shine to your patio living. A good power washing is recommended to bring life back to your patio. The main consideration here is the choice of power washer. It’s best to use a single-point washer with a 40-degree angle. But be careful not to focus on the joints while power washing, as that can lead to blown-out joints and the need to apply more sand.

With a wash out of the way, you’re almost to the promised land of patio bliss. Look one more time for any stains that might be lingering. We recommend Techniseal products for stains left by water and debris sitting on your patio for weeks and months on end during those rainy, snowy days. Techniseal has a variety of products suited to your specific needs, whether for organic stains, efflorescence, or simple fading over time. Their products are environmentally sound, and they work. Just be sure to follow the directions on the label to avoid damaging joints or discoloring pavers with an undiluted product. Always test an inconspicuous corner first! 

And that does it for now. Another win for family living! Have questions about these or other landscape needs? Reach out to us. We don’t even bite. Usually…