Maintain your hardscape features this winter with these tips.
Many people are aware that they’ll need to take some steps to make sure the plants on their property are ready for winter. But did you know you’ll need to maintain your hardscape features too? Even though these elements are made of strong, durable material it’s important to keep them in good condition during the winter. This season can be harsh, which can take a toll on your overall landscape. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your hardscape features are in good shape all winter long.
Clear Their Surfaces Before & After Snowfall
The shift between fall and winter can seem very sudden. Because of this, we might feel that we don’t have enough time to clear our patios and walkways before the first snowfall happens. Many of us can relate to leaves underneath our snow-covered lawns. However, not cleaning your patio or walkway off can lead to major issues. This is because the trapped debris can stain your hardscape’s surface. Also, after snow falls it’s essential to get it up as soon as possible. Snow can melt and refreeze in the surface of your patio, causing big issues.
Be Careful With De-Icers
Using salt or ice melt provides a good amount of convenience for homeowners. However, the chemicals found in many de-icers can cause havoc for your hardscape. They can wear down your pavers, making them less effective. You should do some research to make sure whichever product you plan to use is a safe one.
Seal Any Cracks
If you already have cracks in your hardscape’s surface, your best best is to make sure they don’t get worse. A good way to do this is to seal them as soon as possible. Cracks are never good, but in the winter they can get much worse. This is because water can seep into the crack and freeze, which results in the cracks expanding.
Use The Right Shovel
When you’re shoveling your patio or walkway, you’ll want to make sure that you use the right type of shovel. This means using a hard plastic shovel or one with a similarly non-sharp edge. Shoveling with a metal shovel can lead to you scraping your pavers or creating cracks in them, which could expand in the future.
Get In Touch With Lehnhoff’s Landscaping Today
Lehnhoff’s Landscaping offers professional and exceptional outdoor lighting and landscaping year round. We serve Baltimore, Chevy Chase, Montgomery County, Clarksville, Howard County, Ellicott City, Kingsville, Bowie, Pasadena, Towson, and many other areas throughout Maryland. You can contact Lehnhoff’s Landscaping for all of your Baltimore landscaping needs by calling 443.921.5789 today! Help us grow! Follow Lehnhoff’s Landscaping on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.