Spring has officially arrived! It's time for spring cleaning. Your patio deserves a few minutes of your time! Patios installed by Elvio and Sons are constructed using products by Unilock, which are built to be relatively maintenance free. However, there are a few preventative maintenance steps that you can do each spring to maintain the beautiful appearance of your patio.
Inspect the surface for any dips/deformations
Deformations are usually caused by a base or sub-base settlement. New homes that have had a lot of property grading are usually susceptible to this. These settlements will typically show themselves within the first few years after your project's completion. We recommend that you identify the affected area and mark it with chalk. Pro tip: a level or other straight edge placed on the surface of your paver patio, walkway, or driveway will show the area in need of repair. Call us at Elvio and Sons for the repair!
Inspect the surface for stains
You may be surprised to see how much a good cleaning will help after a long winter! If there are no serious stains, a good pressure washing will typically restore the beauty of your pavers. If you do not have access to a pressure washer, simply use a bit of dish detergent with water and brush the area with a stiff bristle broom. It is important to read the instructions of any cleaning product that you use before using! Unilock's HC Hardscape Cleaner will do a great job cleaning your patio and is available from Elvio and Sons.
Inspect the perimeter of your paver patio, walkways, or driveway
Start by looking for areas where the joints between the stones are getting bigger (this is commonly called a "creep"). This "creep" is most typically caused by a failure of the edge restraint. "Creeps" can also be caused by the routine traffic of vehicles and other heavy machinery moving over your patio, walkway, or driveway during the winter months causing the paver stones to push out. It is important to note that these "creeps" and gaps will get larger inevitably leading to other issues with your project if they are not resolved as time goes on. We recommend that you reach out to us at Elvio and Sons if you notice this issue with your project.
Consider allowing Elvio and Sons to seal your pavers
Elvio and Sons is able to apply sealant products specifically designed to protect the beauty of your paver patio, walkway, or driveway. Re-sealing will typically need to occur every 3 to 5 years. If you chose to seal, you can select between a high gloss sealer, which will promote the colors of your pavers, or a matte finish designed to protect the pavers.