July is peak outdoor living season in the Chippewa Valley. Whether you’re hosting weekend barbecues, sitting by a fire pit, or enjoying a quiet morning coffee, your patio gets a workout this time of year.
While we often focus heavily on lawns and gardens in July, your hardscaping needs a little mid-summer love, too. Here is a quick guide to keeping your pavers, walkways, and retaining walls looking sharp and structurally sound all summer long.
1. Tackle the Weeds Early
Hot, humid summer days are an open invitation for weeds to sprout in the joints between your paver stones.
- The Fix: Don’t let them take over. Pull them by hand or use a targeted, eco-friendly weed killer. Once cleared, checking your polymeric sand joints is essential. If the sand has washed away, refilling it will lock out future weeds and prevent shifting.
2. Address Summer Stains
Between grill grease, spilled drinks, and dropped food from summer cookouts, your patio surfaces can start looking a little weathered by mid-July.
- The Fix: Clean spills as soon as they happen. For stubborn grease or organic stains, use a stiff-bristled brush with dish soap and warm water. Avoid using harsh chemical pressure washers on a high setting, as it can etch the surface of concrete pavers or blast away protective joint sand.
3. Inspect for Shifting and Settling
Heavy summer rainstorms can sometimes cause soil underneath older walkways or retaining walls to settle, leading to uneven stones or minor shifting.
- The Fix: Take a quick walk around your property. Look for loose capstones on retaining walls or tripping hazards on walkways. Catching these small shifts early prevents them from turning into costly repairs down the road.
Ready to upgrade your outdoor living space? If your current patio needs a professional deep clean, or if you’re ready to start designing a brand-new custom hardscape feature for late summer entertaining, our team is here to help.
Request a free hardscape consultation today and let’s bring your outdoor vision to life.