Tag Archive for: wear and tear

Maintaining Your Patio This Winter


Why Should I Maintain My Patio This Winter?

When you think of your patio’s wear and tear, what time of the year do you think of? Spring showers, Summer storms, or all the leaves of Autumn might come to mind. But did you know that the majority of the damage done to your patio happens in the Winter? We have come up with some tips on how to minimize the damage your patio will take this Winter.

Shovel Often
The more you shovel and stay on top of the snow buildup, the easier it is to maintain your patio all year long. When your driveway and backyard pavers are clear, it reduces the amount of freezing and thawing damage that can happen, especially if you have porous rocks in your landscape, because when water gets into them and freezes, it causes larger cracks to form. If you prefer using a shovel to get the snow off of your pavers, make sure it’s plastic or rubber-headed. If it’s a metal-headed shovel it could chip the stone.

Ice Removal
Ice patches under snow can be dangerous and if you find them on a sidewalk or frequently traveled path on your patio, it can be a slipping hazard for your family. You can try to chip the ice away using a shovel, or use sand or salt to de-ice the area. However, make sure you consult a professional to ensure that the product you’re using won’t cause more damage to your patio.

Fix the Cracks
Did you know that the Winter is the best time to fix the cracks in your patio? Once all of the snow and ice has been cleared off of your patio, you can fill all of the cracks with sand to prevent more ice and snow from getting into your pavers that could make the cracks worse, but if you keep up with this throughout the winter, your pavers and bricks will look great when the spring comes!