Paved surfaces instantly add to your property’s curb appeal. This is why homeowners in Washington State embrace them. 92% of realtors recommend heightening your curb appeal before attempting to sell your home, and paving stones are an easy way to do this.
Another benefit, aside from how they make your property look, is their functionality. This is great news to those who are revamping their homes, as well as those who have decided to put their property on the market.
One of the key advantages of paved surfaces, including asphalt paved surfaces, is their low maintenance requirements. When properly cared for, this durable paving option can last for many years. Regular cleaning and sealing are just a couple of the ways to keep your paved surfaces in great shape.
In this helpful guide, we outline the significance of routine maintenance and provide tips on ensuring your exterior surfaces remain in excellent condition.
Embrace Routine Cleaning
If your home or business benefits from paving, like the many aesthetically pleasing options available from Valley Paving, consistently cleaning it will ensure your paving lasts and avoids unnecessary replacement costs.
To help you with this, we’ve listed a handful of cleaning tips below:
1. Clean Your Paving Regularly
It’s crucial you clean your paving regularly. Clean paving last longer than those left to decay.
You can clean your paving the old-school way using a sweeping brush to remove leaves, dirt, and debris. For tougher stains, use a pressure washer.
If a deep clean is required, use a low-pressure setting on your pressure washing device. Anything too high can damage the stone. For best results, avoid harsh chemicals and use water or mild detergents to clean your paving.
2. Sealing
This process is often undertaken every two to three years and safeguards your paving against fading, weathering, and unwanted stains.
To ensure you pick the right sealant, always speak to a specialist. Various styles of sealants exist. Some are suited to warmer climates, whilst others only work alongside specific pavement types.
3. Joint Maintenance
Your pavement’s joints, the section between each part or stone, necessitates a specific amount of material. This ensures your paving remains stable and prevents weed growth. If you notice weeds emerging from the joints of your pavers, invest in a quality weed killer.
Choose a brand that is designed with your specific paving in mind to avoid damage.
4. Winter Care
If you are living in a cold climate, you must de-ice your paving. This is especially the case if you walk over them regularly. De-icing them will prevent you, your family, and your guests from slipping and injuring themselves. Avoid using rock salt to complete this process, as it can damage the stone. Instead, invest in de-icing products that are plant and pet-friendly.
5. Drainage
Clean your drains and gutters regularly to initiate the correct water flow. In addition, ensure you have the correct drains installed, as this will stop water from pooling. This can cause mold to grow and damage your pavers.
6. Avoid Heavy Loads
To prevent your pavers from becoming damaged, cracked, or scratched, avoid placing anything too heavy on them. From oversized plant pots to vehicles, your pavers are designed to add to the appeal of your home. They shouldn’t be treated as a space to store hefty belongings.
If you have a beautifully paved entertainment area, you’ll likely want to add furniture to this space. Invest in furniture pads to safeguard your paving stones from indentations and scratches. There’s evidence that time in nature can make us feel refreshed. It helps our brains release serotonin and cortisol. Having an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space at your disposal can help with this.
7. Professional Cleaning
If your paving needs an intense cleaning, reach out to a professional cleaning company. They have the tools required to achieve a deep clean, ensuring that pavers shine and stand the test of time. Once clean, provided you keep on top of their maintenance, you can carry out all future cleans yourself.
The Bottom Line
Creatively designed paved surfaces heighten your home’s exterior appearance in an instant. Paved surfaces inject style and value into your home. However, if they look lackluster, they can take away charm from your home’s aesthetics.
Thus, maintaining them correctly all year round is crucial. Doing so will ensure hassle-free access to your home, a desirable outdoor area, and a stable, safe place for children to play.
When cared for correctly, pavers are low-maintenance and boast the utmost durability. They also boast several environmental advantages, including mitigating urban heat and lessening the likelihood of stormwater runoff.
Other benefits include their design versatility. From different patterns and hues to traditional, rustic and modern design, there is a product bespoke to your needs and one in keeping with the aesthetics of your home.
The bottom line, by investing in quality paved surfaces, you can heighten your home’s functionality, increase its value, and create a beautiful outdoor living space.
