If you live in Fairfax VA, and you want to keep your paver hardscapes looking and performing their best, you need to do some maintenance at least once a year. Spring is the perfect time to get those chores done.
When we say “paver hardscapes” we mean your driveway, patio, walkways, and sidewalks. Hardscaping maintenance means that you will need to inspect, clean, repair, and seal your paver hardscapes. Here’s what you need to do:
- Inspect – walk your hard surfaces, and note any damage, instability, staining, or efflorescence. Bring a flashlight, so that you can get a good look under and around landscaping.
- Clean – the amount of cleaning and effort involved is directly proportional to the length of time between cleanings. If you’ve swept regularly and taken care of stains as they’ve occurred, then this cleaning chore will be be a minor one. You’ll sweep, do some minor spot cleaning with a mild detergent, then give it a good rinse. If it’s been awhile since you’ve cleaned and the surface is in stable condition but really dirty or stained, you may need to power wash it. Power washing needs to be done carefully, because the surface could be damaged. So, if you’ve never power washed a hard surface before, you need to either be really careful, or hire a professional to do the job.
- Repair – once you’ve cleaned your pavers, inspect them pavers again. Pavers that have been chipped, cracked, or have stains that won’t come out will need to be replaced. The good news is that single or multiple pavers can be replaced. After repairs are done, if you notice that the sand filler is low between pavers, you will need to replenish the sand filler. The sand filler goes in between your stone pavers to help hold them in place.
- Seal – this important step, more than anything else you do, extends the life of your pavers. This easy process can be done yearly and will keep your pavers looking new, prevent grass from growing in between your paving stones and help to keep ants and other bugs off of your pavers. (Note: sealing does not mean you can skip maintenance – it just means that you won’t have as much maintenance to do.)
For more information about hardscaping maintenance n Fairfax VA, please contact the experts at Premier Paving. Established in 1987, Premier Paving & Planting, Inc. provides free estimates, and delivers a full compliment of high quality landscape services, including concrete work and lawn and garden services, along with installation and maintenance of permeable and non-porous paver and hardscape surfaces and structures. NCMA and ICPI certified, Premier Paving is licensed and insured, and carries an A+ rating from Angie’s List.
