As a homeowner, you are most likely familiar with the importance of outdoor living. From added space to entertain friends and family members to an increase in your home's appeal and value, it is easy to see the benefits of an outdoor patio. Due to these amazing benefits, patios are one of the top items buyers want in a prospective home. While enjoying the increased space, appeal, and value of your patio is simple, ensuring your outdoor living space remains clean and in good condition can be difficult. Using this guide on cleaning your outdoor patio, you can easily protect your investment.
Weekly
Rain, wintry precipitation, wind, the sun's UV rays, and basic wear and tear will affect your home's exterior and outdoor living spaces. Weather changes and the natural environment will cause dirt, grass clippings, mulch, leaves, and pine straw to accumulate on your patio, resulting in stubborn debris. Thankfully, a simple cleaning each week can prevent heavy residue from building up on your concrete patio.
Each week, sweep your patio using an outdoor broom. While sweeping, inspect the concrete for any visible damage. Heavy discoloration or cracks may be a problem after extreme weather conditions. Small cracks may seem insignificant, but they can become home to moisture. Without repair, the moisture may cause the cracks to expand, leading to possible mold growth and expensive repairs.
To prevent the cracks from spreading further, apply a layer of concrete mix over the cracks. Allow to dry overnight before washing your patio.
Monthly
Each month, use your garden hose to rinse off your patio. Be sure to hold the sprayer end at an angle and a few inches away from the concrete surface. This will offer sufficient pressure for rinsing away heavy areas of dirt and dust.
Yearly
Even with periodic cleaning, your patio may begin to discolor due to the environmental elements. Fortunately, a baking soda solution will effectively clean your concrete patio without harming surrounding landscaping.
To get started, remove all furniture, rugs, grills, and décor from your patio. Use your outdoor broom to sweep debris off the concrete surface. Combine the following ingredients in an outdoor pump sprayer:
Shake the container bottle to mix. Pump the handle of your sprayer to create pressure in the nozzle. Then, spray a thorough amount onto your patio. Allow the baking soda solution to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing with your garden hose.
If you still notice stains, spray the baking soda solution onto the discolored area and scrub with a soft-bristled brush. After scrubbing, allow the solution to soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, rinse with your garden hose.
Every Few Years
An epoxy or urethane sealant will protect your patio from weathering for 5 to 10 years. However, reactive chemical sealers offer the best protection, lasing 10 years or longer. Of course, sealants do more than just protect your patio surface. Sealant and stain combination products are available in a wide variety of colors, which will protect and enhance the look of your patio.
Choose a warm, sunny day to apply your sealant. Excessive temperatures, rain, and wind will be difficult to work in, but the harsher weather will also delay the time for your sealant to dry.
Working at one end of your patio, pour the sealant directly onto the concrete. Spread the sealant evenly over the patio using a long-handled rolling brush. Add more sealant as you work across the patio, but make sure to spread evenly. Allow the sealant to dry 12 hours before applying a second coat.
A patio is a great investment for your home, but proper maintenance is key to ensuring it remains appealing, functional, and valuable. With these tips, your clean, protected, and attractive patio will be a favorite part of your home.
Share