An interlocking patio is a great choice – easy to maintain and long-lasting, it provides a great aesthetic look to your backyard while also being highly functional.
Of course, like any other surface, it’s important to take proper care of your new interlocking patio to get the best long-term performance out of it. Here are some tips on how to keep your interlocking patio looking pristine and new for years to come.
Sweep Often
This is both for obvious reasons – dirt, leaves and yard waste don’t make for great looking patios! – but sweeping also includes a preventative element. If you leave too much built-up dirt, grass seeds can easily sprout. Once grass gets an opening, it’s a nightmare to remove – and it can even crack cement, much less interlocking pavers. Nip that problem in the bud! If weeds or grass do get a foothold, white vinegar and dishwashing soap is a great way to kill any vegetation that you can find.
Remove Stains
A soft wire brush is a great way to get rid of any stains on your patio. You don’t want to use a course or stiff brush, because that can leave a mark on the pavers themselves. A soft brush allows you to get the necessary oomph to remove stains without damaging the pavers.
Pressure Wash
Pressure washing is a fine for stone and brick patios, but be a little careful. You want to aim at the stones themselves, and not at the grout, which will be less resilient. We recommend starting with lower power and ramping up as you see how effective it can be, rather than starting out too strong.
Seal Regularly
We advise that patios be sealed once every three years. This helps prevent the polymeric sand from degrading – that helps prevent weeds from breaking through your surface. It also keeps your grout looking great, and that can be the most difficult part of a patio to clean.