Easter is a great time for having visitors around to your home and with the weather being so nice lately then perhaps you will be eating al fresco on your patio as part of the entertainment.
All patios require simple maintenance to keep it protected and looking its best, so what do you need to do to bring your neglected stone paving back to life?
Declutter your patio
First declutter the patio, remove dead winter tubs and hanging baskets, and remove weeds (most weeds can simply be pulled or scraped up out of the paving) do a sweep then simply fill a bucket with one cup of washing up liquid or soda crystals. Pour the warm soapy water across the affected area starting at the corners and begin scrubbing to loosen the dirt.
Always scrub diagonally as this will be gentler on the jointing compound and less will come out during the cleaning. You can also use a power washer but take care, as excessive use can damage paving slabs and jointing.
Pouring slab sealant will help you protect your patio against the weather extremities. Sealant is completely invisible and won’t change the colour or appearance of the stone.
How to ensure longevity
Over time, the jointing of your paving can crack or loosen. To ensure the longevity, you should repair any jointing – brush -in-jointing compounds are easy to use and will help with this.
Once the patio is dry, reset your furniture and you are ready to use. While you should only need to clean your patio once a year (a perk of choosing patio over decking), a small amount of maintenance will deliver a consistently clean finish all year round.
Considering selling your home
If you are considering selling your home, Spring is one of the best times to sell according to Rightmove, it is well worthwhile taking time to improve this often neglected area of your home – stunning pots and hanging baskets can make all the difference, and investing in some good garden furniture too can turn your patio into a lovely entertainment area, as well as adding value to your home.
If you are considering selling your home after Easter and would like a free market appraisal, call David Phillip FRICS on 0113 4676400.
David Phillip Estate Agents 86, Leeds Road, Bramhope, LS16 9AN
Selling houses in North Leeds and covering Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley and Alwoodley
