PRO DESIGN LANDSCAPING MAINTAINING YOUR LANDSCAPE

Maintain Your Pavers and Natural Stone

The main benefit of natural stone is its resistance, as it requires little attention and is durable enough to weather the seasons and years. However, there are a few key maintenance tips to keep in mind.

First, we recommend treating your surface right upon installation with a product suitable for natural stone. You will be able to choose between different finishes depending on your preferences: natural or satin, for example.

Another key tip is cleaning. No matter which type of natural stone you have, wipe off stains and deposits regularly with a brush along with a mixture of water and mild soap (Marseille soap is an excellent option). This will prevent dirt, debris, and other greasy/vegetal stains from accumulating. In the case of rainwater buildup, paver sections can begin to sag. In such a case, quickly readjust any sagging paving stones in order to prevent future problems. Although polymeric sand improves with new technologies, some maintenance is still necessary. Adding polymeric sand wherever it is missing is very important, and thankfully the installation technique is super simple.

We recommend cleaning the joints every season with a small soft-bristle brush. Note that the use of a pressure washer is not recommended. It’s also important not to let freshly cut grass clippings or dead leaves accumulate in the fall. The use of a leaf blower is an ideal choice for removing such debris.

Over time, plant deposits such as moss can become embedded between the stones, particularly in shaded areas. This phenomenon is typically caused by the accumulation of water and does not indicate that your stone is in poor health. To avoid it, you can treat your surface two to three times a year with a suitable natural product. Another common phenomenon is limestone efflorescence. This is a normal occurrence caused by crystalline deposits of salts resulting from the evaporation of water from the stone’s surface. While these stains eventually disappear on their own, recurring rain or sweeping can hasten the process.

As for Winter?

The majority of high quality stones and pavers such as Rocvale products are resistant to sand, gravel, and non-slip mixes without salts or chemicals. However, if you must use de-icing products, we recommend that you do so on a surface covered with snow or ice and not directly on the stone. Furthermore, de-icing salts must absolutely be avoided, as salt can cause the concrete to crumble. Another key recommendation is to choose a plastic snow shovel or to equip a metal shovel with a protector in order to avoid damaging the stone or leaving rust marks.

Give a Little Love to Your Greenery

While maintaining your flower beds is fairly simple, it still requires a bit of time and care. First, make sure to regularly remove unwanted weeds, which will help keep away harmful insects. In the spring, perform any necessary trimming and remove dead leaves, broken branches, and gravel. Before winter, from October to mid-November, make sure to completely remove dead leaves and flowers as well as any other unwanted debris from the ground. We recommend that you install specially designed protective fabrics to protect perennial shrubs from snow and ice.