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Winter weather can be tough on outdoor pavers. Freezing temperatures, ice, and snow may damage the surface, leading to cracking or shifting. To keep your pavers in top condition, there are several steps you can take to prepare and maintain them during the cold months. CJS Landscape offers expert services to help you safeguard your outdoor spaces all year round.
Preparing Pavers for Winter
Clean and Inspect Your Pavers
Before winter arrives, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean and inspect your pavers. Remove dirt, leaves, and debris, which can trap moisture and lead to stains or surface deterioration. After cleaning, check for any signs of damage, such as cracks or loose pavers, and consider getting them repaired by professionals at CJS Landscape.
Apply a High-Quality Sealant
Applying a sealant to your pavers helps protect them from water infiltration, which can freeze and expand in cold temperatures, causing cracks. A high-quality sealant provides a barrier against moisture and minimizes damage caused by ice and snow. Sealing pavers can be a challenging task, so hiring an experienced service like CJS Landscape ensures the best protection.
Preventing Ice Damage on Pavers
Use Sand Instead of Salt
Many homeowners use rock salt to prevent slipping on icy surfaces, but salt can cause significant damage to pavers. Salt accelerates erosion and leads to surface scaling, discoloration, and even cracking. Instead, use sand to provide traction on icy pavers. Sand is safe, effective, and won't harm the paver material or surrounding plants.
Avoid Metal Shovels
Shoveling snow from your pavers is important, but using a metal shovel can scratch or chip the surface. Opt for a plastic or rubber-edged shovel to avoid damaging your pavers. This type of shovel is gentler on the surface and helps maintain the integrity of your outdoor space. If snow removal feels overwhelming, CJS Landscape offers snow management services to help keep your property safe.
Protecting Paver Edges and Joints
Check for Proper Drainage
Drainage is essential to prevent water from accumulating around your pavers, where it can freeze and cause structural damage. Ensure that your outdoor space has proper drainage channels to divert water away from the paver area. CJS Landscape can assess and adjust your drainage system to protect your pavers during winter.
Refill Joint Sand
Over time, joint sand between pavers can wash away, creating gaps that let water seep in and freeze. Replacing this sand before winter helps to keep the pavers locked together and prevents water from entering the joints. Using a polymeric sand for this task can offer longer-lasting protection, and our CJS Landscape team can expertly refill joints for enhanced durability.
Long-Term Winter Care Tips for Pavers
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Hiring a professional maintenance service like CJS Landscape is a proactive way to ensure your pavers stay protected during winter. Our team provides seasonal inspections, sealing, and repair services, saving you time and effort. With years of expertise in winter landscape maintenance, we can identify and resolve issues before they worsen.
Remove Snow Regularly
Snow buildup can lead to ice formation on your pavers. Regular snow removal reduces pressure and prevents the snow from melting and refreezing, which can damage the surface. Even if you clear it manually, CJS Landscape offers reliable snow removal services to help maintain safe and protected paver surfaces all season long.
Avoid Using Heavy Equipment
Heavy equipment, such as plows or large snow blowers, can damage pavers if used improperly. Try to use lightweight snow removal tools on your paver surfaces, or contact CJS Landscape to handle winter maintenance safely. Our team uses tools and techniques specifically designed to protect your pavers.
Protecting pavers in winter requires attention to detail and consistent care. With the help of CJS Landscape, you can keep your outdoor space looking beautiful and damage-free, ready to withstand even the harshest winter conditions.
