Troy, MI, is fast approaching the winter season. Thus, smart homeowners have already started using the last few sunny days of the season to their advantage and have begun preparing their outdoors for the approaching winters. Troy, MI, homeowners with concrete pavers are lucky as these pavers do not require much maintenance and can easily survive the harsh winter season. However, just to be cautious, homeowners can do a few things to protect their pavers and other hardscape objects against the damaging effect of the harsh winter season.
In this article, we share with our Troy, MI, readers various industry-recommended practices for protecting pavers and hardscape products during the winter season.
Here’s How Troy, MI, Homeowners Can Prepare Their Hardscape for the Fast-Approaching Winter Season
Take Care of Fall Leaves
Fall leaves are a major threat to hardscape objects and pavers. Homeowners must mandatorily clean fall leaves and other debris before the winter season starts as both snow and rain can transform the fallen debris into stubborn stains and marks.
That apart, devote some time to your walkways, driveways, and patios. Check all the steps and seats. Winter snow and frost tend to attack loose seats and steps and leave them completely damaged. Therefore, make sure to get all the minor problems repaired before the winter season starts.
Apply Joint Material to Your Pavers, If You Already Haven’t
Troy, MI, homeowners are recommended to use joint materials as they protect the pavers against wear and tear, especially during the winter season when snow and thaw cycles are quite common. Further, joint materials also help keep insects and weeds away from the surface of pavers.
In Troy, MI, as well as around the world, sand is the common joint material used for pavers. If you haven’t applied joint material to your pavers yet, combine sand with a joint stabilizer and apply the mixture to all the pavers. However, while applying joint material, place the joint sand stabilizer 1/8 to 1/4 inches below the paver to enhance the proper flow of water. Further, leave the joint material to dry for some time and once it has dried, scrape off all the extra bits to prevent staining.
Get Rid of Snow and Ice as Soon as You See Them
This tip will come handy once the winter season arrives, but it will certainly help you elongate the life of your concrete pavers.
Ice and snow are common in Troy, MI. If you want to protect your concrete pavers, do not let ice and snow sit on your pavers for very long. You will need a shovel to do the job. So, make sure to buy a good shovel before the winter arrives. However, before removing ice and snow, make sure to cover the tip of the shovel with a rubber plate guard, or the shovel will leave your concrete pavers damaged. Further, make sure to use the shovel softly.
In Troy, MI, many homeowners use a deicer agent to prevent skidding and slipping. However, we recommend you to keep deicer agents as far away from your pavers as possible. Deicer agents cause efflorescence and leave the pavers damaged. To minimize slipping and skidding, use sand instead of deicer agents.
Conclusion
Troy, MI, homeowners worried about their pavers, and hardscape objects must understand that these home components are easy to maintain. All you have to do is start preparing them in advance for the approaching winter season.
Schedule a Quote from JJW Brick Today!
Give JJW Brick a call today for your Oakland, MI home. We can be reached at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.