by adminHow to prepare a patio for winter
Follow our quick and easy steps to prevent rain, frost or ice from damaging your patio. Remember that while you’re bundled up in the winter and enjoying your indoor space, your outdoor space is bearing the brunt of bad weather!
Sweep the patio
You need to sweep your patio to prevent mold, moss, or fungus from forming that could otherwise cause you problems come spring. There are a number of moss removers and patio cleaners that you can use to keep your patio protected during the winter!
Seal the paving slabs.
After you’ve given your patio a good wash, it’s important to let it dry for at least a day, and once the tile is completely dry, we recommend using a sealer that penetrates the concrete slab, enhancing the color while protecting your patio from stains on water-based, general dirt, chipping or erosion and from harsh weather conditions.
Sweeping, washing and resealing will help prevent any areas where rainwater can remain until it turns to ice, such as any existing small cracks in or between the stone. And as we all know, water expands when it freezes, which is bad news for your patios as it can lead to further cracks and damage. Not to mention the added slip factor!
Protect the driveway
How do you feel about your driveway or any place where you leave your car, motorcycle or bicycle for long periods of time during the winter?
As you know, oil stains are difficult to remove, and although there are products and methods that can be used to eliminate them, it is still better to prevent them.
Use sealants that will give the tile a natural finish while protecting your patio from stains, water, oil, and grease.
Work carefully with the shovel.
After heavy snowfalls, you may need to clear excess snow from your patio or driveway. This can lead to damage to the tiles under the snow.
When shoveling, we recommend using a shovel with a rubber or plastic tip, as this reduces the chance of a hard impact damaging or splitting the tile and allows you to clear the path safely.
Salt – DO NOT USE!
When you see frost or ice starting to form on your patio, be careful with rock salt, as it is corrosive, which in turn can damage your pavers, and when mixed with water, seeps into cracks and freezes again.
Rock salt can also destroy the mortar on which the slabs are laid, causing them to become loose and uneven. Not only does it look bad and needs repair, but it’s also dangerous.
Any salts that mix with rainwater or melted snow and end up on the surrounding lawn or plants will cause additional damage to your garden. As soon as it mixes with water and seeps into the soil, it damages the roots and causes darkening of bushes or trees. Root damage will also affect your plants ability to withstand the cold and make them more susceptible to freezing in cold temperatures.
Protect your patio with a canopy.
Another great way to protect paving from rain and snow is an all-weather canopy. They can be purchased or ordered in a variety of sizes and will cover most, if not all, of your patio area, allowing water to drain to the appropriate part of your garden. They can also come in handy in the summer during the scorching summer sun.
Store garden furniture properly
It is always a good idea to store outdoor furniture somewhere indoors, such as a shed or garage, during the winter. This will help prevent any damage caused by water freezing on the furniture.
If you have wooden furniture, do not cover it, as this can lead to the accumulation of moisture on the surface, which can begin to crack over time, as well as contribute to the formation of mold.
For steel or wicker/rattan furniture, it is important to store it indoors, as the wicker expands and contracts in the cold, which can cause the furniture to crack and break, and steel furniture rusts easily.
If you notice rust on metal furniture before storage, take a brush to scrub it off before storage. You can also protect your furniture by applying wax or silicone sealant.
Regardless of whether you store your garden furniture or not, it’s important to wash it with soap and water to remove dirt and prevent mold.
If you follow these simple rules, your patio will look great in the winter, save time on spring cleaning, and last until summer.
