How to Keep Patios Clean From Moss and Mold
If you have a home patio, you can be proactive to keep it in pristine condition throughout the year. One of the common problems with patios is the accumulation and growth of moss and mold. It is important for you to clean these off of your patio before they become a problem that spirals out of control. If you let mold and moss accumulate on your patio, you’ll find that they become slippery and quite dangerous to walk on. This can become a serious safety hazard for your family, especially if you have young children. Families with pets should be especially aware of their patio condition so that they don’t venture out and lick up moss or mildew. How you can prevent mold and moss from taking over your patios Be sure to sweep your patio on a regular basis. You should also give it a complete sweep before you perform a more intense and thorough cleaning with a power washer or other items. If your patio is exposed to the sun, there is no doubt that you’ll have the threat of moss year round. You’ll likely not be able to prevent the growth of moss unless you take preventative action in the form of a power wash. While you might have heard that power washing a patio can cause damage, this is a commonly held misconception. It is possible for power washing to cause some damage, typically in the form of discoloring the patio, but this is the exception to the rule. When you power wash your patio, you’ll clean it not only of mold and moss but also of other dirt and debris as well. Do it on an annual basis to ensure that your patio maintains its like-new aesthetic and doesn’t end up in a condition where mold or moss can grow. Be sure to wear gloves and goggles while you clean your patio. As you power wash your patio, you should go back and forth in a motion from one area like the flower beds and spray from there on outward. Take care to not leave the spray in one place for too much time. It is always possible to go back and re-do the spaces that you missed on the first time around. Many have found that a power jet wash with a detergent is the best way to thoroughly clean a patio. Try to find a power washer with a rotary patio cleaning attachment. It will empower you to cover a very wide area and clean the patio in a comprehensive manner. The power washer will have no trouble removing all of the moss, mold, stains, algae and grime from your patio even if it has been there for decades. Ideally, you won’t let it get to that point but the integrity of your patio won’t be compromised as long as you clean it in a reasonable time span. If you’d prefer to use a brush and a cleaner instead of the power washer, you’ll find that you it doesn’t produce nearly the same results. Some have tried different types of brushes and various cleaning agents only to find that they hardly remove anything. Aside from power washing, you should apply a weed killer to your patio on a regular basis. Leave it...
read moreHow to Build Patios Without Cement
If you are considering building a patio but have been hesitant to do so because patios require cement, don’t give up on the idea. A patio can be built without cement. You’ll need a well-prepared base that you use to support brick, tile, flagstone, or another reliable material. This will be cheaper than cement, water permeable and environmentally friendly. Most importantly, your new patio will look good. Cement looks far too plain and drab. You’ll love the aesthetic of a rich red brick or colored tile. You’ll even be able to dig up this patio if you want to move its location at some point in the future. Materials For Building Patios The first step is to choose the paving material that you would like to use for your space. Most hardware stores have a variety of paving materials. Buy enough to fit the area that you’ve designated for your patio. If you opt for bricks, be aware that the cheapest variety are called paving bricks and they are actually made from concrete. The costliest bricks have mortar or plaster on them to add character. Ask the supplier to deliver the bricks because they’ll be too heavy for your car. Also, have the sand delivered to your home as well. You’ll need a lot and if you transport it yourself, it’ll take several trips. It’s difficult to determine how much sand you’ll need. If you want to build a 12 foot square patio, you’ll likely need one ton of sand. Patios Require Good Drainage If you have excellent drainage, you won’t have to dig very deep into the ground. Those with optimal drainage will only have to dig a couple inches. The majority of drainage should be capable of handling 4 to 8 inches. Be sure to remove all rocks and roots from the area. Keep in mind that if you dig deeper than you need to, it will reinforce the stability of the area. Proceed to line the perimeter’s edges with bender board. Keep it held in place momentarily with stakes. Then spray the area with a light amount of water. Fill in the bottom with a road base about 2 to 4 inches deep. You can also use crushed recycled cement or a ¾ inch gravel if you’d like. Many people choose to layer this area with a weed cloth. Weeds can be pulled fairly easily without the cloth though. Also, if your pavers have multiple thicknesses, the weed cloth will make it difficult to set them evenly. Spray the area with the hose once again. Next, add 2 to 4 inches of sharp sand. Set your pavers together with the desired gap in between them. If you let large gaps remain, you’ll have to fill the resulting cracks with decorative gravel, river rock or ground cover plants. Those who decide to use flagstone will need to shape and chip a lot in order for the stone to fit close together. Another light spray with the hose at this point is ideal. Fill the spaces between the cracks with sand. Keep filling it generously until it flows over. Now you should wait a few days so that the sand settles nicely into the cracks. Once this time has passed sweep it over. Water it once again with...
read moreStamped Concrete Patio Ideas
There are some very good reasons concrete has become the most popular outdoor patio material in the nation. According to a study performed by the National Association of Home Builders – poured concrete consistently outperforms and is chosen as the preferred option over stone and cement pavers. More Than Just Pathways A stamped concrete patio ushers in an elegance for outdoor living that is difficult to match with any other material. It has versatility, ease of installation, low cost and a quality finish. The options for designs and patterns that bring an artful feeling are numerous. Reviewing the many options can be eye-opening and inspiring for the creation of new stamped concrete patio designs. From Stem Walls to Garden Beds There are few visuals more enticing than gorgeous stamped concrete patio patterns undulating and curving through a landscape with tiers of flowing flowers augmented by colorful and artistically chosen fragrances. Bringing in additional elements of beauty to your landscape doesn’t have to mean a complete redesign, either. The low cost of stamped concrete patio materials makes utilizing unique design ideas much easier – and makes creating a new look far easier than most imagine. A Stamped Concrete Patio Delivers Function with Art With exactly the right pattern – a designer can generate repetitive designs and colors that call attention to the form and thought that has gone into the landscape, tying it all together with an almost magical unfolding. Imagine your patio surface reflected with hues and patterns that simulate the floral views, or stimulate color combinations that evoke feelings of serene composure. Use these designs to tie together indoor and outdoor entrances and pass-throughs. An exterior space can provide a beautiful indoor function even when you are enjoying the outdoors. Stunning Visual Combinations Your patio often serves as more than just a gathering zone for lounging and entertaining. A stamped concrete patio makes it simple for homeowners to seamlessly blend all of the transitions from interior to exterior living spaces. They make it possible to design perfect decorative flooring surfaces for outdoor kitchens and living rooms. These are outfitted with cozy seating areas complete with fireplaces and water features. Stamped concrete patio designs offer outdoor floors with unlimited design options. Especially when they are enhanced by stains and integral colors. Stamped concrete patios can be color coordinated to match a home’s exterior as well as the landscape. They are often stamped or engraved in patterns that mimic other popular paving materials. These can include brick, flagstone, slate and even tile. Turn Your Recreation Area Into A Statement of Taste Beautiful settings for activities such as wine tasting, soaking in the hot tub or lounging by the pool – stamped concrete patio options give you complete creative freedom. Bring the style and elements of your indoor rooms into your outdoor space. View Your Stamped Concrete Designs Set Under Water Poured concrete is used more often than concrete pavers and natural stone. Designing a stamped concrete patio offers many more decorative options than ever before. A stamped concrete patio attracts homeowners who want an outdoor surface that offers the ultimate in design versatility. Concrete patios own the edge when it comes to durability or low maintenance. The perfect design when offset with just the right colors can be viewed with...
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