Must-Read Advice If This Is Your First Winter With A Stone Patio
Did you invest in a stone patio over the summer? If so, you likely are wondering what you can do to protect your patio and ensure it is ready when summer comes around again. You will need to be mindful of protecting the stone area of your new patio, and most likely your patio furnishings will also need to be protected if winter in your area is harsh. Use the following suggestions to get you started.
Determine whether your patio's stone requires special preparation.
There are some types of stone that require special preparation before winter approaches. If you are unsure whether your patio's stone has special considerations, a stone products supplier can be used as a resource to find out this information. These professionals will also likely have the stone care products you need to protect your investment.
Remove patio furniture.
You might be tempted to leave your patio furniture on the patio during the winter, but this is not a good idea because the furniture might get damaged by the elements. For example, some patio furniture might be prone to rusting as a result of being exposed to ice and snow for long periods of time. It is also possible that the rust from the furniture could stain your stone and be difficult to remove. If your patio furniture is heavy, the weight of it combined with snowfall could damage your stone patio during the winter.
Clean the patio and furniture.
Do not try to store your patio furniture without cleaning it. This is because it might become the "new home" of pests seeking shelter in the winter. It is also possible that mild stains might become permanent if they sit on the furniture for several months. Use a mild detergent to clean your patio and furniture. Ensure that fabric portions of your patio furniture are allowed to completely dry. This is your best defense against mold and mildew.
Apply a sealer to the stone.
You need to apply sealer to cleaned stone to protect it from the elements. The sealer will provide a barrier between the elements and your stone patio. This will aid in keeping water from penetrating into the stone where it can cause damage. If you have stone pavers, sealer can aid in minimizing vegetation such as weeds from growing between the pavers.
A stone products dealer is a good resource to use for additional tips about caring for your stone patio. For example, the use of salt-based deicers is not recommended for stone products because they can damage the stone and make it vulnerable to chipping, discoloration, and cracking.
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