Paver patios are a great addition to any home. They provide exceptional versatility and usability, while also adding an exquisite aesthetic appeal.
Choosing different materials to use, coming up with a fun and functional design, and selecting an experienced and knowledgeable masonry contractor all play a crucial role in ensuring you get the paver patio of your dreams.
Once it’s installed, though, if you want to extend the lifespan and appearance of your paver patio, you need to perform regular maintenance. While pavers are naturally low-maintenance, there is some still upkeep that you need to perform to ensure they remain looking their best.
By understanding how important paver patio maintenance is, and knowing what steps you need to take on a regular basis, can help to protect your investment so you can continue enjoying your outdoor space for years to come.
Here are some general ongoing maintenance tasks you need to carry out for your paver patio to ensure longevity.
Cleaning Your Paver Patio
Perhaps the simplest paver patio maintenance is regularly cleaning it to remove all dirt and debris. You can use an outdoor broom or leaf blower to remove the surface dirt and debris without much trouble.
To remove the residual dirt and debris that still remains on the pavers themselves, you can use a garden hose to rinse it away. At times, you may need to perform some more intensive cleaning, especially if there are any stains from dirt, debris or from other things that you may have dropped on it.
There are safe cleaning solutions that you can use and apply with a sponge that won’t do any damage to the pavers. Make sure that you carefully read the package of the products you choose so you don’t use one that’s too harsh.
You can use a power washer to deep clean your paver patio, especially to help remove tough stains. If you do, just make sure that you don’t use too heavy of a pressure and that you be careful of spraying too much water directly in the joints.
Finally, don’t use any deicing chemicals on pavers. While they might make it easier to remove ice and snow from the patio, it can also cause significant damage to the pavers over time.
Sealing Your Paver Patio
One way to protect the pavers from the elements and perhaps reduce some of the maintenance is to seal your paver patio. When doing this, make sure to select a paver sealer that’s safe for the type of material you have.
There are many different types of paver sealers you can use, including film-forming or non-film-forming. Which one you should choose depends on the materials you used in your patio as well as your specific needs.
Applying a paver sealer can add a layer of protection to your patio. Generally speaking, you might need to do this every one or two years so you can maintain its effectiveness.
If you are unsure of which sealer product to use, or how to actually apply it, consider hiring a professional to do this for you. Doing so will ensure that the right product is selected and the job is done right the first time.
Joint Maintenance
An extremely important component in your paver patio’s installation is the joint sand. Not only does this keep proper spacing between each individual paver, it also holds your patio in place with its interlocking pavers.
On a regular basis, you should inspect the joint sand to ensure it’s filled sufficiently. If it’s not, it’s rather easy to pour more sand in so that the integrity of the bedding sand beneath the pavers is maintained.
Polymeric sand is one of the best choices in products here, as it will harden the sand and prevent any shifting in the pavers from happening.
In addition to ensuring a sufficient level of joint sand, you also want to keep it clean. You can remove grime and dirt from the sand using a hose or power washer, though be careful that you don’t actually remove sand during this process.
Repairing and Replacing Pavers
It’s also important to regularly inspect the individual pavers, looking for any signs of wear, tear and damage. If you do identify any issues, you need to replace broken or damaged pavers as quickly as possible so you can prevent further damage and ensure safety.
If you are handling this job on your own, make sure to use filler sand as well as edging, which will keep all of your pavers in place while they’re curing. You might find this job a little difficult to DIY, though.
If this isn’t something that you are interested in handling, or if you want to make sure it’s done right, consider hiring a professional to repair and/or replace your pavers.
The experts at All Brick, for instance, are trained in working with all types of masonry and can ensure that your paver patio is repaired the right way.
You should also investigate what the root cause of the issues with your paver patio are, as this will help you determine what the best course of action will be to rectify the problem. The fix may be more than just replacing pavers, for instance, and could involve installing a drainage system if water was the root cause.
If you don’t determine the cause of the problem, there’s a higher likelihood that it could happen again in the future. Ultimately, your paver patio could settle improperly, resulting in unevenness.
Preventing Weed Growth
Unfortunately, weeds will grow wherever they can. They don’t just grow in your lawn, but can also grow up through your paver patio as well.
To ensure that there is no unwanted plant growth, you should do some preventative maintenance. Filling cracks with polymeric sand, for instance, can deter weeds from growing in paver crevices.
If any weeds do appear, you can remove them by hand or use weeding tools that are designed specifically to be used for pavers. Avoid using products such as vinegar or salt to kill weeds, as they can cause damage to your pavers.
Drainage Issues
Water is one of the most harmful things to paver patios. If you have drainage issues, paver patios can easily get damaged.
This could result in washed-out sand, erosion around the edges of your patio, pooling water on top of the patio and much more. If there isn’t sufficient drainage, soil can shift, causing stones and pavers to move during the freeze-thaw cycle, which happens a lot in Michigan’s harsh climate.
You can regularly inspect your patio for signs of drainage issues. Some of the most common things you might observe are mildew and mold growth, stains on the surface of the patio, pooling water and/or downspouts emptying onto the patio.
Drainage issues can unfortunately be an involved process to solve. That’s why it’s important to contact a professional to fully assess your situation so they can solve any drainage problems you might be having.
Creating a Maintenance Schedule
The best way to stay on top of ongoing paver patio maintenance is to create a schedule that will make it easier to keep your outdoor space looking great.
Schedule some time every week or two to sweep and/or hose off your pavers. It’s easy for you to check for any fading, grout chipping and staining while you do this — and address issues immediately if you spot any.
You should also schedule maintenance on a seasonal basis to protect against each season’s unique challenges. This includes a general cleaning in the spring, re-sealing in the summer and drainage checks in the fall.
If you’re unsure of what exactly needs to be done, or you want it done the right way, consider hiring a professional to maintain your paver patio.
Keep Your Paver Patio Looking and Performing Great
If you want your paver patio to last a long time, function well and give your home an aesthetic appeal, it’s important to conduct regular maintenance. By regularly cleaning, sealing, inspecting and addressing issues such as drainage, you can preserve the surface of your patio and prevent issues such as stains and cracks.
With regular inspections, and through timely repairs, you can enhance the overall value of your property and create a welcoming outdoor space for everyone. In doing so, you’ll be ensuring your paver patio is well-maintained, durable and enjoyable for relaxation and entertainment.
At All Brick, we have been mastering the art of masonry for more than 10 years. Our professionals are experienced in all different types of masonry projects, and serve clients all throughout Southeast Michigan.For more information or a free quote, please contact us today.
