The weather in this area can be rough on your landscape, including the hardscapes and your plantings. You install hardscapes to increase your curb appeal, and when those hardscapes begin to break down, your curb appeal goes with them. Installing hardscapes can be a significant investment, and when you invest in your home, you want to make sure you protect that investment. When it comes to maintaining your patios, driveway, and walkways, that maintenance typically consists of professional cleaning, sealing, and repairing. While some homeowners try to tackle these tasks on their own, without the proper tools and techniques, they can find themselves doing more damage than good. If you’ve invested in hardscaping on your property, make sure you take the time to regularly schedule cleaning, sealing, and repair services to keep them looking fresh and clean.
Like with anything in your home, if you wait until you have a serious problem, the solution is far more complicated than if you were taking care of maintenance on a regular schedule, and if you wait to clean your hardscapes until they are stained, the cleaning process will be far more involved. In addition to avoiding an expensive and time-consuming process, regular maintenance has other benefits. The first is an enhancement to your curb appeal. When your hardscapes are new, your curb appeal will soar, but as they build up more dirt and grime, they can make your exterior look unkempt. If your exterior looks poorly maintained, the impression your home gives is diminished. In addition to improving the look of your home, regular maintenance will increase the longevity of your hardscapes. Cleaning and sealing can help prevent damage, and repairing minor issues as they appear will stop the damage from getting worse. If you avoid maintenance, you can even replace your hardscapes entirely, which is a significant expense, making regular maintenance well worth the investment. Also, cracks, sinking or missing stones, or uneven grading can be a safety hazard. As a homeowner, you don’t want to put your family at risk, but you also need to make sure that any visitors are safe from injury on your property.
When your patio, driveway, or walkway was first installed, the stones were clean and stain-free. However, after only a few months of exposure to the elements, those stones can quickly look dirty, dingy, and stained, lessening the overall appeal of the hardscape. Depending on your property, you may also face mold build-up, a significant health hazard. A deep cleaning with power washing can remove the dirt, debris, and stains. While you can do this on your own with a power washer, you can cause more harm than good without the proper techniques and make your hardscapes look streaky. With regular wear, you should have your hardscapes professionally cleaned every two to three years, although some may need to be cleaned more often, depending on the traffic. Your landscape professional will be able to advise you on whether you will need to use a cleaner in addition to the power washing. If you keep up with cleaning, power washing alone should be enough, but mold and staining may need extra effort.
You can clean your hardscapes as often as you’d like, but consistent power washing along and exposure to the elements can wear down the stones and make the overall look dull and dingy, even when cleaned. Sealing hardscapes, particularly those with high traffic, will protect your investment and sustain the aesthetic. Semi-gloss finishes can be applied with a natural, wet, or clear look. The sealing will protect the porous stones from staining, dirt, and contamination and keep the joints secure. Sealing should be done after installation and after every professional power wash, usually every two to three years. Once your hardscapes have been cleaned and sealed, waiting 24-48 hours to use them again is essential to allow the products to cure and set.
Over time, most installations will shift and sink; as that happens, cracks can appear. While some of this is caused by poor drainage, excessive traffic, or poor grading, it can happen to any hardscape over time. If you can address shifting early, you can typically start with joint re-sanding to stabilize the hardscape and compact the plates. If the issues are more advanced, you may need professional rebuilding. This may involve leveling the base and reinstalling sunken pavers, replacing broken stones or pavers, filling cracks, or doing a more comprehensive rebuild that addresses the underlying issues.
If you’ve invested in hardscapes that enhance your outdoor spaces, it’s important to make sure that you are protecting that investment. Having professionals take care of your hardscapes regularly can ensure that your curb appeal stays strong, your hardscapes are protected from cracking, and you avoid staining from exposure to the elements. Even when exposed to the harsh weather in the region, your hardscapes will last while looking their best. If you have a full-service landscaping service, they will likely offer hardscaping cleaning, sealing, and repair so your entire property gets the best possible care.
Protect your hardscapes and keep your outdoor spaces looking their best with expert care from Twin Oaks Landscape. Our team provides professional cleaning, sealing, and repair services to maintain the beauty, safety, and longevity of your patios, walkways, and driveways. Don’t let time and weather take a toll on your investment—schedule your hardscape maintenance with us today and enjoy a stunning, well-maintained landscape for years to come. Contact Twin Oaks Landscape to learn more about our services and get started.