Studies show that a landscaped patio can raise the value of your home by 12.4%, making it a great addition to your home. However, patios can be quite expensive and may cost over $4,000.
Because it is such a big investment, you must learn how to maintain your patio floors to help them retain their value.
Do you want to learn how to keep your patio flooring clean and damage-free? Keep reading this article for everything you need to know about patio flooring maintenance!
Immediately Wipe Up Spills
Patio flooring materials, whether stone, concrete, or pavers, can easily get stained, especially with things like oil and food. Because of this, you must immediately wipe up spills on your patio. This is especially important if you cook on your patio.
If you drip grease or other materials on the patio, it may seep into the surface and stain it.
To prevent this, you can use a cleaner that is safe for your patio surface to immediately lift the spill!
Treat for Moss, Mold, and Weeds
Before you begin cleaning your patio, you should also treat the area for moss, mold, and weeds. Moss can easily grow in shady areas of your patio, especially if they stay damp. If you don’t remove this moss or mold, it can cause biological stains on your concrete.
Still, you shouldn’t use harsh chemicals like bleach to remove moss and mold, as this can damage the surface. Instead, you can use concrete-safe moss treatments!
You also need to remove weeds from your patio as soon as possible. If you let them continue to grow, they can potentially damage your entire floor.
Sweep Regularly
Another important part of cleaning patio floors is regularly sweeping them. While it can be difficult to stay on top of cleaning your outdoor patio, it is essential for patio maintenance.
For example, things like leaves and sticks may build up during the fall months. If they decompose on your patio, they can leave stains on the concrete. Plus, things like rocks and sand can scratch the surface of your concrete and cause other damage.
By regularly sweeping your patio floor, you can prevent this damage and keep your patio clean and ready to use. Plus, removing this loose dirt and debris will make it easier to clean the rest of your patio.
Spray With Water
After sweeping your patio floors, you can spray them with water to remove any loose debris. While it may be tempting to try pressure washing floors for your patio, you should avoid doing this.
If you use a pressure washer with too much pressure, it can damage the concrete or cause stones or pavers to loosen or crack. If you do use a pressure washer, make sure you can set it to a lower pressure or use a fan setting.
Otherwise, it is best to use a garden hose or a mop!
Use the Right Cleaning Products
Next, you need to use the right flooring maintenance products. You can use these products to spot-treat stains on your patio or clean the entire surface. When you choose a patio flooring cleaner, make sure you don’t use regular household cleaners.
Many of these cleaners are acidic or abrasive and can damage the surface of your stone patio. Instead, you can buy a stone-safe cleaner. If you want to use a different cleaner, make sure you test it on a small, inconspicuous area of your patio to see if it damages the surface.
Once you are done cleaning the patio with these cleaners, you can rinse it once more.
Repair Cracks or Chips
When your patio is completely clean and free of debris and weeds, you can begin to repair cracks or chips in your concrete. This will prevent the damage from worsening and will keep your patio looking fresh and new.
If you have a paver patio, you can easily replace the broken or chipped pavers with new paving stones. You should also look out for stones or areas that are uneven, as these can be dangerous to walk on and create a tripping hazard.
If you have a concrete patio, you can patch the damage with a repair kit.
Seal the Surface
Finally, it is essential that you seal your patio, especially if it is made with natural stone like slate or limestone. Sealing your patio will protect the stone from etching, stains, and more!
Sealing your patio will also protect the surface from outdoor elements and will also make it easier to clean in the future! You can typically choose sealants with a matte finish or a gloss finish.
It is important that your patio is thoroughly cleaned and free of dirt and debris before you begin to seal it.
If you need help maintaining your floor, you may want to hire a professional coating installation company. They will have the right equipment and knowledge to correctly install your coating for maximum protection!
Plus, they may even help you with other parts of maintenance, like crack repairs and cleaning.
Need Help With Patio Flooring Maintenance?
Doing regular flooring maintenance is essential to extend the life of your outdoor patio. By following each of these patio flooring maintenance tips, you can protect your investment and keep your patio looking new for years to come.
If you need help with patio floor maintenance, Garage Force can help! We offer patio sealing and coating systems that will protect your outdoor floor from the elements and will keep them looking new.
Contact us today to learn more about our floor coating services or to book an appointment!
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