Don’t Forget Your Hardscapes This Spring!
Spring is in the air, the birds are chirping, depending on where you live the ground may be thawing, and there is new growth on the trees. For most of us this is the time of year we come out of hibernation and start getting our homes back in order. We declutter, reorganize and do a thorough deep cleaning. What about the outside of your home though?
Of course when Spring rolls around you get your lawn mower ready for action and put some fresh mulch in the flower beds. What some home owners will sometimes forget about until it’s a problem is their hardscapes and substrates. Your paver or concrete driveway, your lanai, the walkways leading to your home, your concrete boat docks, even the decorative stones and garden pavers you have around your flower beds.
All of these surfaces collect dirt, mold, mildew, sometimes even grease or oil. They’re exposed to all elements throughout the year and after time as dirt collects the weeds can start to fill in the cracks. To get your home in tip top shape you’ll want to do an inspection of your hardscapes to see if there is any need for repairs before you get to work. You may find that a paver needs to be leveled or that you have a crack in your concrete. You’ll have to decide, based on your needs and capabilities, whether this will be a DIY project or something you should hire a contractor for.
Once any needed repairs are made it’s time to clean. Not sure where to start? Safety first! Anytime you’re working with chemicals or you’re outside doing things that could result in you losing your eye, always wear your personal protective gear.
Then the next thing to tackle is getting rid of the weeds. Treating weeds on a regular basis is part of general maintenance when you have pavers. If you don’t use a weed inhibitor, they’ll be sure to keep you busy year after year. Make sure you pull from the root when possible.
Once you get all the weeds pulled you’ll need to clean the area, especially if it is covered with mold, mildew or algae. And you’ll need to use a cleaning agent to kill any microbials. You can spray the area with a mixture of liquid chlorine using 10-15% diluted with water. Let the mixture set for 10 minutes or so. You may also opt to using an environmentally friendly cleaner on your surface.
To remove the mold and mildew you’ll want to use a pressure washer to thoroughly rinse the surfaces. Once you’ve pressure washed the surfaces you’re ready to sand. The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) recommend keeping the sand between 1/4″ to 1/8″ below the edge of the pavers. You’ll need a broom and a blower to complete this task.
One way to make your hardscapes and substrates easier to maintain and bring back the wow factor to them once time and the sun had started to fade their luster is by sealing. Sealing your surface may be a little more complex than cleaning, but starting with a clean surface is of the utmost importance to ensure a proper seal.
Deco Sealers don’t require annual resealing so on the off years you’ll find you’ll be able to clean these areas all on your own with the use of a garden hose. Once you get on a regular rotation with your homes maintenance, you’ll find you have more time to do the things you want to do and less time worrying about mold and mildew.
It’s a lot of hard work, time and effort to keep your hardscapes and substrates looking their best. You may find it beneficial to hire a professional pressure cleaner and Deco Certified applicator to tackle these tasks for you. For more information and to find a Deco Certified applicator near you please contact Deco Products today!
