90% of Americans say their outdoor living spaces are more important than ever.
One of the central pieces of these outdoor living areas is your patio. With these areas being such a refuge these days, you want to make sure you’re doing your patio maintenance. Doing this helps to keep the area a relaxing, safe, and functional space.
But what does that actually entail? Most people don’t even consider that they need to do anything to maintain their patios, so how are they supposed to know where to start?
The following are some of the most essential patio maintenance tips that all homeowners should know.
Keep reading to learn more.
Sweep and Rinse Regularly
To take care of your patio properly, the only thing you’ll need to do on a regular basis is to sweep away all of the dirt and debris that builds up on the patio. Then rinse off anything that is still holding on with your garden hose.
You’ll want to keep up with this because the longer dirt and debris sit on your patio floor the harder it will be to remove. Get rid of it early while it only takes a few sweeps of your broom. It will be worth the effort to keep it from leaving hardier stains or even permanent damage.
You can choose to use a power washer every now and then to give the patio a deep clean. But for the most part, your regular garden hose and broom will do the job. If you do use a power washer, be sure you’re using it properly. This is especially true on materials that are more prone to breakage or flaking like natural stone.
Seal the Cracks Between Pavers
If your patio floor is made of pavers, then you’ll need to find a way to maintain the cracks between them. One way to do this is by using a sealant to protect the pavers and keep unwanted debris and growth from between the cracks. This helps to keep out stains, fungal growth, weeds, and bugs.
Sealing your pavers helps to keep them looking good and helps to avoid needing to do more work later. It’s also useful for keeping joint-stabilizing sand in place and protecting against fading from sun exposure.
Be sure to check the instructions on the sealant you’re using to make sure it’s okay to use on your paver material.
Stay on Top of Weeds
Keeping on top of weed growth can feel like a never-ending task, but it’s important for the health and beauty of your patio to do it.
When weeds are left to grow unchecked, it not only makes the patio look like a mess but can also cause other problems, including encouraging the growth of moss on the pavers.
To deal with weeds, you can pull them out as you find them, try sweeping them away as much as possible, or try using a power washer to blow them away. You can also consider using a weed-killer product if you’re comfortable with it. Just make sure you follow the instructions and choose the right kind of chemicals that will kill and block weed growth without harming your patio.
Take Care of Your Patio Doors
To keep your patio looking good and feeling relaxing, all of the pieces of it need to be well maintained, including your patio door. Make sure to include patio door maintenance with your regular patio maintenance to keep the door in good condition.
If the type of patio door you have is made of glass, make sure to keep it clean, especially if you have pets that press their noses into it frequently. It’s also important to keep the frame and track clean to keep the door looking good and functioning properly. Sticky or hard-to-move doors can be an annoyance at best and a safety risk at worst.
Replace Broken Pavers
Broken pavers are not only an eyesore, but they can also be a safety risk. It’s easy to catch your ankle wrong on a broken one and get hurt, especially if you’re carrying trays of plates or drinks.
As soon as you notice one that’s broken, start the process of getting it repaired. This may or may not require professional assistance, but either way, it needs to be handled.
Rearrange Your Furniture
This is especially important in places like Naperville, IL, which are considered wet areas. Furniture and rugs can trap water and moisture beneath them. This then encourages the growth of mildew, mold, and fungus.
Moving things around every year or so will help expose different areas of the patio that would’ve otherwise been covered at all times. This would likely leave them damaged. It can also help to balance any fading from the sun by rotating the areas that are and aren’t exposed.
Give Your Plants Some Love
If you have plants around your patio, you’ll want to keep them in good shape. This not only keeps them looking good and aesthetically pleasing, but keeps them nice and tidy. This can help you avoid overgrown branches, dead leaves or flowers, and such from falling all over your patio and leaving dirt and stains while encouraging fungal growth.
When cleaning your patio, keep in mind that any harsh chemicals you use on the patio could easily end up in the plants. This will leave you with a dead plant and a mess to clean up. Do your best to either find natural options or be very aware of where the runoff from the chemicals is going.
Prioritize Proper Patio Maintenance
Your patio should be an oasis for you and your family to enjoy. Following these patio maintenance tips will help you to keep it that way for as long as you need.
If you’re in Naperville, IL, looking to upgrade your patio doors or windows, look no further. Schedule a consultation with us today.