After spending so much of your time designing, planning, and installing your yard’s hardscape features, it’s only natural to want them to last forever. Unfortunately, all things wear down over time. However, with proper care and maintenance, you can extend the life of your hardscape elements and ensure they remain beautiful and functional for a long time to come. Keep reading to learn how to maintain your hardscape design and boost its longevity in the process.
Apply a Sealant
Perhaps the best way to extend the lifespan of your hardscape features is to protect them. Applying a sealant will guard hardscaping against erosion, scratches, moisture, and other harm caused by wear and tear. Though accidents can still happen, and damage can still affect your pavers, sealant offers extra protection and drastically improves the beauty and longevity of your hardscapes. You must reapply the sealant every few years; consult your landscaper for more information.
Sweep Away Debris
Every month or so, sweep away any leaves and debris that are on your hardscape elements. When yard waste decomposes on hardscape surfaces, it can lead to staining or mold growth. Not only does this look horrible, but it can also cause the surface to break down faster, requiring more repairs down the line. In the autumn, you will need to sweep more often. For stuck-on debris, use your garden hose to wash it away.
Look for Stains
Yard waste, moss, and more all can stain your hardscape features. Use a pressure washer to remove surface stains from the hardscape. There are other options for those who don’t have access to a pressure washer. You can scrub the stain using a stiff bristle broom and a mixture of water and dish detergent. There are also store-bought cleaners available that are specifically designed to work on hardscape. Just be sure to read all of the instructions before you begin cleaning.
Remove Weeds
Weeds are insidious and can grow where you least expect them to, even in between your pavers and other hardscape surfaces. If you see any weeds growing in the cracks between the tiles, pull them out. When removing the weeds, be sure to pull out the roots too, so they don’t grow back again. For tough-to-reach weeds, use a screwdriver to reach further into the joints and get rid of the roots.
Perform Annual Maintenance
Though the above maintenance tips are essential, sometimes it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Your relationship with your landscaping and hardscaping company doesn’t need to end after installation is complete; they can help you to maintain your hardscape design in Roswell, too. Once a year, hire a professional landscaper to perform a thorough inspection of all of your hardscaping elements. They have the skills and tools needed to identify and repair current problems and help to prevent future ones from arising. The landscaping company also will have the proper cleaning tools needed to keep all of your hardscape features looking brand new.
Contact us at Stoeckig Landscape Group for more information about maintaining your landscaping or finding out if it’s time for a redesign.