What’s the Best Way to Maintain My Patio?

Maintaining your patio ensures your outdoor space will stay looking sharp and almost brand-new for years to come. Scheduling cleaning and maintenance can increase the lifespan of your patio and improve your outdoor entertainment experience. Need tips for cleaning your patio? Whether you’re gearing up for sunny BBQs this summer or trying to sweep away fallen leaves from last fall, these patio maintenance tips are here to help.

Everything you need to know about cleaning your patio and keeping it maintained is featured below.

Complete Patio Maintenance Guide

Cleaning Your Patio

• One of the best ways to maintain your patio is to clean it regularly.
• Grime, leaves, moss, and algae can stain your patio surface over time.

Avoid letting that build up by:

• Sweeping your patio weekly. A stiff-bristle broom is ideal for removing twigs and leaves before they start to stain or damage your pavers.
• Give it a good wash 3–4 times per year. Scrub your patio with warm, soapy water and a deck brush. This method is safe to use on most patio surfaces, including stone and concrete.
• Spot cleaning as necessary. When staining does occur, use a patio cleaner that is safe for your pavers. Remember that acidic cleaning formulas can damage limestone and other soft stones.
• Pressure washing as needed. If you choose to pressure wash your patio, use a low setting and avoid pointing the nozzle directly at it. This can cause permanent damage to concrete and older paver slabs.

Pro tip: While it might be tempting to spray down weeds with an all-purpose weed killer, many of these formulas can stain or erode your patio pavers. Opt for a weed killer designed for patios and always spot-test in an inconspicuous area.

Winterizing and Weatherproofing Your Patio

Just as summer can cause damage to your patio, so can winter weather. It’s important to take the proper steps when winterizing your patio or outdoor space. Take the following steps each winter to maintain your deck and protect it from the winter weather ice and snow.

• Sealing your patio. This is beneficial for all natural stone pavers, such as sandstone. Sealant helps prevent stains and the absorption of water and moss into the stone.
• Wait to seal new patios. If you seal new patios too soon, efflorescence can become trapped under the sealer.
• Don’t seal porcelain pavers. Porcelain pavers are made from non-porous material, much different than natural stone. Essentially, porcelain pavers require zero maintenance.
• Cover patio furniture with a tarp or canopy in severe storms or ultra sunny days. Just like furniture, prolonged exposure to the elements will damage the surface of your patio.
• Use caution with salt based “ice melt” in the winter. Salt can stain or corrode your patio surface. You can try calcium magnesium acetate or simply remove snow on your patio with a plastic snow shovel.

Simple Repairs for Common Damage

Cracked, loose pavers can be an eyesore and may even cause injury if someone were to trip on them. Perform simple maintenance and repair common issues as they occur:

Apply the compound with caution. Some formulas can stain the sides of your pavers.

Should You Seal Your Patio?

After cleaning and repairs, sealing may be the next step in your maintenance plan. Here’s what you should know.

If you have natural stone pavers on your patio, sealing them is an excellent way to maintain them in the long term. Make sure you buy a sealant that’s safe for your patio type. Here are a few more things to consider:

How long do I wait to seal my new patio?

You’ll want to wait until any efflorescence has faded. Depending on where you live, this could take weeks after installation.

How long will sealant last?

Patio sealant can last anywhere from 3-5 years. Factors like sun exposure, frequency of cleaning, and foot traffic can shorten your sealant’s life.

Can you undo sealant on a patio?

No. There is no unsealing a patio. You can only seal it once or continue to go without. If you’re on the fence about sealing your patio, wait until you’re ready.

Final thoughts

Whether you choose to maintain your patio seasonally or exceed the expectations with regular cleanings and repairs, your patio will reward you with years of enjoyment.

Epilogue

In Albuquerque, your go-to provider for patio and deck maintenance or patio and deck construction is ASAP Sands Outdoor Services. Give us a call at 505-293-4014 to discuss your deck and patio needs.