As fall turns into winter, one of the first risks to your property is damage to the pavers of your outdoor patio. Damp weather and freezing conditions can leave your pavers cracked and marred after investing well-earned money into one of the highlights of your home. But don’t despair, there are a few easy steps you can take to protect your pavers before and during winter.
The key is to be proactive. Remember, a little care here and there will save you money on repairing your patio pavers and ultimately save you time as well. Think about it, when warm weather returns, you’ll be able to enjoy your patio a lot faster, and when you do, you won’t see cracks or damage, but a well-preserved patio floor. With this in mind, let’s look at how to protect your pavers this winter.
Apply Sealer
Moisture is the greatest threat to your pavers. Water will allow dirt and other impurities into the cracks of your pavers which could eventually damage their very foundation, but this dwarfed by the threat of ice. If you allow water or snow to freeze in pavers, the ice will expand and possibly cause cracks in the stonework. The pavers will continue to deteriorate or at least become loose and unstable. One of the ways you can prevent this is by applying a sealer to sides and edges linking all of the pavers.
Paver sealers have been known to help prevent chipping and scrapes as well as other winter damages. Paver sealer can be found or ordered in virtually every home improvement store, so you may want to consider purchasing a good supply to have throughout the winter. However, if you’re uncertain of the best product to use or how to effectively apply the sealer, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a professional sealing. This is one of the many ways we can help you protect your patio.
Stay Away from Salt
You probably like to stock-up on salt to melt ice and snow. This is great for around the house, but can really damage your pavers. The salt will actually trap moisture on the pavers which will result in extended water exposure. Again, this is something you really want to avoid. Instead, use sand or other salt-free alternatives for traction against snow.
When clearing snow and ice, avoid using a metal shovel. Just one strike with a metal shovel can leave a major crack or even chip in the pavers. Instead, use a plastic shovel to avoid any accidental damage.
Cleaning is Key
Keeping your pavers clean is the first and probably the best defense against winter damage. The presence of grime can actually weaken the paver surface. With winter conditions, dirt, grease, or other substances can also trap moisture, which combined, could lead to significant deterioration over time. Leaves and pine needles should be cleared for the same reason. A clean patio also makes it easier for you to identify suspect pavers and have them repaired before the damage becomes permanent.
Giving your patio pavers a thorough power wash can put you well ahead of your goal for protecting your pavers in winter, It’s not too late. Please reach out to us for any of your cleaning or repaving needs, at Peak Power Wash, our goal is to keep your home looking great all year-round.