Fall is arguably one of the best times of the year because of the vibrant colors from the trees and other foliage in the area. There’s something so relaxing about sitting outside on the patio during the fall with a comfy sweater and a cup of coffee. It’s also the best time to do some basic maintenance on that patio and other pavers before the winter chill comes in. The great thing is that this type of maintenance is pretty simple and probably can get done in a weekend depending on how much you need to do. Doing the maintenance now will make a huge difference when spring rolls around. Here are four things to do for your autumn paver maintenance.
Sweep It Away: Those beautiful changing leaves always make their way down to the ground at some point during the fall. As pretty and fun to play in as they might be, they can cause some damage to the pavers if left there. The morning dew has a chance of freezing overnight because of the temperature drops. The constant freezing and melting of the dew could cause the natural color in the leaves to bleed onto the pavers causing a stain. Sweeping the leaves and other dirt into the yard will save you from the aggravation of trying to get the stain out when the warmer weather comes. Depending on how many trees are around you, you might need to sweep leaves off a few times during the season.
Pull The Weeds: Weeds are extremely aggravating and can cause a lot of damage including shifting and cracking a paver. The great thing is that during the fall they’re a little weaker. Pull any weeds you see in the paver joints and next to the edges to prevent any further damage in the spring.
Refill The Joints: Each of the paver joints is filled with polymeric sand that keeps everything in place and helps prevent weeds. If you notice weeds growing, it might mean there’s not enough sand in between the joints. Refilling them will make a huge difference when it starts warming up.
Remove Outdoor Furniture: Depending on the type of outdoor furniture you have, it might not be suitable for long-term outdoor exposure. If it’s left out during the fall and winter, not only could it get severely damaged, but it could also cause unsightly rust stains on your pavers. They can be a lot more difficult to get out than stains from leaves. If it’s not a permanent fixture on the pavers, store it for the cold season.
