A garden patio can be a great addition to the home that makes a big difference to your life (as well as adding value to the property). Having a patio can help to bring the inside out so that you can really make the most out of the backyard and enjoy the warmer days of the year as it provides a hard, level space for garden furniture so that you can create a nice space for relaxing and socialising.
Building a Patio
A garden patio can be a fantastic addition and work well even in gardens with limited space. On top of this, a patio is also a feature that you can build yourself with little more than gravel, sand and your chosen patio material. A patio is very much like putting a puzzle together and you can create one in any shape, which means that it can be tailored to your garden to maximise space. Maybe you also want to install patio covers. You can use them all year round, and they will protect your wood and furniture from water damage from a storm. It looks nice, and it also adds value to your home.
Patio Maintenance
Building a patio is just one step, though, and it is important that you know how to maintain and look after this feature to keep it looking its best and to improve its overall lifespan. One of the main ways to maintain a garden patio is with regular sweeping of the area, which can clear off dirt and debris but also prevent seed germination (this is important for preventing weeds).
Power Washing
Regular sweeping is important but you also need to use a power washer to give the patio a proper cleaning – doing this at the beginning/end of each season is smart. This is a highly effective way to keep the area clean and looking its best, but be careful around pavement join areas or damaged area as the high pressure could do damage (you should hand wash these areas).
Landscaping & Surface Treatments
Hard landscaping products should also be used to provide protection to the surface, such as water-resistant sealers or self-setting paving joint compounds. Patios are exposed to the elements all year round which can take its toll, but with the right landscaping and surface treatments, you can provide protection and keep the surface looking its best.
Weeding
Weeds are a patio’s worst nightmare as they can lead to cracks as well as make the area look unattractive and unkempt. You need to keep a lookout for weeds and damaged mortar and remove any weeds at their root if they start to appear. If this does not solve the issue, you need to use a weedkiller with systemic weedkillers being the best option.
A patio can be a brilliant addition to the garden and make a big difference to your life, but it is also important that you know how to build and maintain a patio so that you can continue to enjoy it over the long term and make the most out of the feature.
