If you have brick and stone patios and walkways at your Philadelphia property, then you most likely understand how beautiful and useful those can be. After all, you haven’t added them without a reason, have you? They certainly add durability, as well as value to your property, while also enhancing the overall beauty and the overall aesthetic appearance. Whether we are talking about a charming garden path, a formal paver walkway that leads to your front door, a natural stone patio for entertaining, or anything else, there’s no doubt that these add to the beauty of the space.
There is also no doubt that maintenance is necessary: https://www.angi.com/articles/5-tips-keep-pavers-looking-new-and-elegant.htm
Okay, having these elements installed in your outdoor space is one thing. But having them maintained is another. To put things simply, you cannot just completely forget about these after installation, because they need to be taken care of in order for them to function perfectly and to be durable, long-lasting and beautiful. If you want to keep these surfaces looking their best for decades, you will absolutely have to invest some time and some money in their upkeep.
The fact that you are here tells me that you are already aware of the importance of brick and stone patios and walkways maintenance. You know that, no matter how durable these are and no matter how well they are known for their strength, they are certainly not maintenance free, as the wear and tear and the weather exposure can undeniably impact their structural integrity and their appearance. So, you understand that routinely maintaining brick and stone is essential.
What you may not be sure about, though, is how to actually do it. And that is, well, precisely what we are going to be discussing right now. Keep on reading, therefore, to get some tips, and an overall better idea, on how to maintain your brick and stone walkways and patios at your Philadelphia property. This could perhaps also be of some help.
Regular Basic Cleaning Is a Must
As you may have guessed it, one of the simplest and most effective maintenance steps is, of course, regular cleaning. The dirt and debris can accumulate as time passes, and it is your task to get rid of those. So, some basic cleaning, including weekly sweeping, periodical rinsing, and some occasional deeper cleaning with mild detergent is definitely necessary. Make sure, though, to avoid harsh chemicals unless those are specifically formulated for masonry surfaces, as that could damage the mortar joints and the natural stone, which is undeniably not what you want.
Handle Any Stains Quickly
If you have noticed some stains on your brick walkways and stone surfaces, it is a good idea for you to act quickly and handle them as soon as possible. Those can form for various reasons, such as grease from grills, oil spills, leaf tannins, bird droppings, as well as rust from metal furniture. When you act fast and address the stains right away, your chances of actually removing them completely are sure to be higher.
Properly Address the Weeds and the Moss
It is not uncommon for weeds and moss to grow between those pavers or bricks, where the sand or mortar joints are. And, while those may seem pretty harmless in the beginning, the truth is that the roots can widen the gaps and actually weaken the overall structure over time. So, you should address these properly and promptly, pulling the weeds as soon as they appear, refilling the joints with polymeric sand in case of erosion, as well as improving drainage in areas where water collects, so as to prevent the growth of weeds and moss in the first place.
Remember to Monitor Joint Integrity
As it should be clear to everyone already, the joints between those bricks and stones are actually crucial for their structural integrity and stability. And, as time passes, the joint material can erode due to things like rain, freeze-thaw cycles, as well as, of course, foot traffic. Your task is, therefore, to regularly monitor joint integrity, looking for signs of deterioration such as crumbling mortar, loose pavers, as well as gaps between the stones, because noticing those means you can act on time, refilling the joints with sand or patch mortar for minor issues, or hiring professionals for major joint failure and uneven surfaces.
Protect Brick and Stone from Water Damage
There is absolutely no denying the fact that water is one of the biggest threats to your stone and brick surfaces, and that poor drainage can, thus, cause shifting, erosion, and even cracking. What you should do, thus, is do your best to protect these elements from water damage, using some drainage best practices. Ensure the patios slope away from your home, keep those nearby gutters clear, and avoid allowing your sprinkler systems to oversaturate the area.
Hire Pros to Perform Inspections and Maintenance
Of course, perhaps one of the most important things to understand here is that you may not be able to do it all alone, and that you should, thus, partner up with professionals to get regular inspection and maintenance services. In short, you have to hire a Stone Mason in Philadelphia and thus let the experts do the necessary work. So, find more of them and get their contact information and their addresses, so that you can then have a great stone mason in Philadelphia on speed dial when you wind up needing one.
But Make Sure to Hire the Right Ones
The final thing to know is that this is not simply about hiring just any professionals out there. Quite on the contrary, you have to do your best to hire the right ones. And that means that you will need to find more of them and research them in great details, checking their experience, reputation, the quality of their past work, availability, and anything else you need to know. Of course, remember to also check and compare the prices, while keeping quality in mind at all times, so that you can ultimately get the best value for your money.