When professionally installed and regularly manicured, hardscaping, like concrete, brick, and asphalt, can enhance the beauty and curb appeal of your home. However, hardscape design does require regular maintenance. Here are a few tips that will keep your hardscape looking brand new:
- Remove any weeds that might be growing in cracks. Whether you choose to use herbicides or good, old fashioned elbow grease, these invaders need to be removed as quickly as possible. A scraper can be used to remove compacted dirt in asphalt or concrete, and an air compressor can be used to remove any debris.
- Patch patio and driveway surfaces. Interlopers in your brick pathways can be dealt with by cleaning out unmortared joints with a high power pressure washer. The joints can then be filled with polymeric sand.
- Keep water and moisture out of your hardscape by sealing it with a liquid pavement sealer. However, be forewarned that the sealer will darken the surface’s color.
- Remove moss, mold, and mildew quickly. Testing first, apply a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water with a mop or spray bottle and then wait ten minutes. Follow it up with a stiff brush, and a pressure washer can be used to dislodge whatever is left over. Rinse.
- Prevent moss, mold, and mildew from developing in the first place. These pesky varmints thrive in shady, damp areas. Your sprinklers should be adjusted so that they do not spray your hardscaping, and your trees should be pruned regularly to permit more direct sunlight.
For more advice on how to keep your hardscaping looking brand new, or to see how new hardscaping can transform your yard, contact Landscape Designers of Michigan. With more than 20 years of combined experience within the hardscaping industry, we invite you to see exactly how our hardscaping solutions can transform your home into a comfortable and beautiful retreat. Contact us today!