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Royal Creations Blog

Hardscape Maintenance

Hardscape Maintenance

For hardscapes to look their best, they need regular maintenance.  Hardscapes consist of the non-permeable parts of the landscape like pavers and concrete.  Lack of maintenance makes these features dirty and could even destabilize the pavers over time. 

Sweep or Blow Clean Regularly

The first maintenance item is to sweep or blow clean your hardscapes regularly.  We recommend at least once a month during the season.  This removes debris before it has a chance to accumulate.  When it rains, debris forms a wet spot that can lead to stains on pavers and concrete.  Wet spots can break down the sealant on the paver joints, allowing the sand to erode over time.

A man power washing a driveway.

Power Wash

The next level of maintenance is the power wash.  We typically recommend it at least every year.  Be careful when using a power washer on pavers to keep the washer moving and never focus on the joints, so you do not force the sand out of the joints.  You want to wash the dirt off, not blow the joints out.  Concrete needs power washing, too, to look its best.  You can rent a power washer from a tool store if you do not have one.

A brick walkway sealed to look wet.

Chemically Cleaning and Sealing

The next step is to chemically clean and seal pavers and concrete.  We use chemical cleaners to clean and prep pavers for sealing or even to strip the old sealer off of the hardscape and really clean the pavers and concrete off.  We let this dry, then we touch up the paver joints with new sand, if needed, as mentioned in the Paver Joints – Techniques and Expectations article.  We then apply a sealer to protect the pavers from fading in the sun or stains.  Most all our clients prefer the wet-look sealer to enhance the color of their pavers and give it the wet look.  This process also stabilizes the joints around the pavers and makes the pavers shine.  Our wet-look sealer also contains an anti-fungal agent to help prevent moss from growing on your patio in those stubborn shady areas.  For concrete, the sealer makes the concrete shiny and silky looking while repelling stains.  

We Can Help

Chemically cleaning and sealing pavers and concrete requires special chemicals and equipment to do it right.  Since most people only need this done every two to three years, owning such equipment is not cost-effective.  We have a program where we will power wash your pavers and concrete every year.  We will chemically clean your pavers and concrete, touch up the joints, and seal the pavers and concrete every second year.  We already have the specialized equipment and knowledge to do this maintenance safely, so you don’t have to.  Contact Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping at (816) 825-2524 or schedule a consult to get on our schedule.

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