If you look around, you can see the leaves here in southeast Michigan and starting to change and that means winter is just a few months away. Michigan’s winter can be tough on your home but also on your brick pavers. Whether you had a new brick paver patio, driveway, or walkway installed this summer or you have an older brick paver hardscape that has seen better days, fall is a perfect time to do some brick paver maintenance to give some added protection for the cold, harsh winter months that are coming.
Paver Patio Redo
If your existing brick pavers are in poor condition, this fall may be a great time to consider replacing them. Just be aware that most brick paver installation contractors have had this fall booked with projects since spring or early summer. However, with Michigan’s unpredictable weather, if the ground does not reach freezing, it’s possible to continue having paver installations right into December. If you find an available paver contractor, a new paver hardscape this fall would give it plenty of time to settle for spring without the added stress of patio furniture or foot traffic.
Reset Pavers
If you have been living with years of sunken or crooked bricks on your brick paver patio, you can replace individual brick pavers and/or set them. Over time the brick pavers may have shifted, and the sand filler may no longer be holding the bricks firmly in place. Your pavers may be more of a trip hazard and safety issue for you and your family. The space where the sand filler uses to be may now hold water and create patches of ice on your once beautiful brick paver patio. When shoveling snow off your patio this winter, you may also catch an edge of the heaved brick with your snow shovel. Resetting your pavers before winter will eliminate these hazards and protect it from further damage.
Seal and Resand
Resanding and sealing your old pavers can be done after you have reset your pavers or as part of your paver maintenance schedule to avoid the need for resetting your pavers. Resealing and sanding your pavers will prevent water from seeping into the pavers and causing them to heave and settle over time. An added benefit of resealing your pavers is that it protects your pavers from being scratched when shoveling or moving patio furniture across your pavers. Resanding before winter allows you to enjoy your great-looking patio not only in spring but for years to come.
Other Things To Do
- Store your patio furniture instead of it remaining out on your patio all winter long. Leaving them out on your paver patio may cause some unexpected settling which would require repair next spring.
- Avoid using snow shovels that have a metal edge. They could scratch your brick pavers if they are not properly sealed.
- Use a good broom or a leaf blower to remove leftover de-icing salt, which could damage your pavers.
Brick paver patios are a large investment so it’s important to properly maintain them each year. Before winter gets here, give us a call and we would be happy to give you a free quote on installing a new paver patio or providing brick paver maintenance to your existing patio. We can be reached at 1-800-BRICKPAVERS. JJWBRICK.com is owned and operated by PMS Brick Pavers – We’re the Guys!
