Autumn Patio - Preparation Tips From David Domoney

1 September 2020

Patio Pack Up

As summer begins to fade and September brings in autumnal weather, now is the time to get the patio prepared and cleared of all the remnants of your summer fun. You have spotted the stains on the patio paving and weeds popping up through the cracks, a pretty shabby look to leave for the season ahead. So don't! Instead, give your furniture some tender loving care and clean and protect your patio so you have perfect paving all year round. Here are my tips on how to preen your patio and keep it gleaming.

 

 

Clean Patio Furniture

The end of September is the time to clear the patio area ready for the winter, wash your outdoor patio furniture and if possible, store it in the garage or shed. Left outside, your sun umbrellas will age prematurely, become soiled and discoloured. If you don’t have enough space to store everything undercover, then it may be a good idea to look at purchasing some protective covers to save your safeguard your investment. Recycle and compost your spent planters, wash the empty pots with warm soapy water and use a stiff brush to dislodge residues like the white powdery build-up of salts and minerals that are often found on the outside of terracotta pots. This is not harmful to plants and can easily be removed.

 

 

Raising Pots

Consider standing your pots on pot feet to prevent unsightly watering stains appearing beneath your containers by the end of the season. Pot feet also provide airflow under the container, which essentially allows the soil to dry out completely between watering – a must-have for winter, as the drainage holes are not sitting flush with the ground. Use pot feet and you’ll be less likely to be troubled by vine weevil too, plus any other pests like slugs and snails that like the moist, dark conditions, as they discourage insects from hiding underneath pots and invading the potted plant.
 

 

Mopping Your Patio?

Dirty, stained patio surfaces used to require plenty of scrubbing to get rid of the dripped grease stains around the barbecue grill, the stains under a fire pit and other evidence of outdoor living, let alone the moss, algae and detritus that mother nature bestows upon the patio. But choose the right cleaning products and your work will be easy! Pavestone has designed a range of scientifically developed cleaning and sealing products to meet the specific cleaning or sealing needs for each of their natural stone and concrete paving ranges, which will ensure your patio is maintained to the very highest level and will keep on looking good, year after year.

 

 

Keep Your Patio Clean

Don't be tricked by purchasing generalist "Patio Cleaner" or "Sealer" that can be found on the High Street, in garden centres or DIY stores. These often contain acids and harmful chemicals which can ruin your patio! Always check with a reputable stone brand before buying a cleaning product or sealer to use on your patio.

 

Pavestone’s Black Spot and Algae Remover is ideal for removing black spot, lichen, moss and stains from all types of external paving. This is an example of biodegradable cleaner, free from chlorine or acid, so is safe to use and gives off no harmful vapours.

 

 

Clean Out Joints

Before you begin, sweep the patio's entire surface, removing loose sand, leaves, gravel and other debris. Sweep the entire surface in one direction horizontally and sweep again vertically. That technique ensures you remove dirt that falls in the cracks between the stones. You may also need to go through open joints with a weeding knife to cut out any green invaders.

 

Pressure washing natural stone is never a good idea, as it can dislodge the jointing material and often can cause damage to the face of the paving, so don’t just blast away! And if you need to repoint between the pavers use Pavestone’s Pointfix – an all-weather epoxy jointing compound, which is specifically designed for pointing and infilling between many types of surfaces including concrete paving, natural stone paving, brickwork and stonework.

 

 

Shovel Clear Snow

Never use de-icing chemicals or salt during freezing winter conditions, as they can affect both the durability and the aesthetics of the paving. Instead, use a plastic shovel or stiff brush to remove snow and ice. In extremely slippery conditions pure 'grit sand' with no salt can be scattered over the surface to assure safety underfoot.

 

 

Unwanted green growth

Stone and mortar can become stained and mildew infested over time. Prevent this problem by cleaning your patio at least twice a year, at the end of winter and summer and maybe after a summer barbecue party. If you do not have a drainage system built into your patio, opt for a "green" cleaning product.

 

 

Water Run Off

Algae and fungus on pavers are often caused by a combination of weather and location. Both organisms prefer damp areas because they require moisture for growth and reproduction. They’re commonly found in sheltered sections of shaded paths, around pools and ponds, or areas of pavers covered by furniture or plant containers. Poorly drained areas also encourage the growth of fungus and algae on hard surfaces, so bear this in mind when planning the location of a new patio. In addition to this, prune overhanging plants, shrubs and trees to allow for improved airflow and sunlight. This will speed the drying of the paving after rain. If possible, make sure the pavers are laid on a slight slope to prevent water from pooling on them – this is a particular problem with deep riven surfaced paving. To prevent this happening, dig out shallow drainage channels along the edges of paths, patios and driveways and fill these with gravel to absorb run-off and prevent the water from pooling around the stones.

Follow these top tips and you’ll find you have pristine paving all year round—the perfect place for family fun no matter the weather. Don't forget your driveway too!

 

 

 

 

There are many more videos featured here for you to explore.

David Domoney, TV gardener, horticultural expert and Pavestone brand ambassador blogs monthly on the Pavestone website on all things landscaping related.

We look forward to seeing you back again next month.

 

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