Toronto’s winters can be cold, and there’s always the chance of rain, snow, and harsh winds. How will your patio stand up to the challenges of winter? Without proper preparation, patios are at greater risk of damage during harsh winter storms. Luckily, there are several things you can do to prepare your patio for winter weather. As a result, you give it the best chance of looking great all year long.
The most important things you can do to protect your patio include:
- Clean it on a regular basis to reduce the chance of stains, mold, etc.
- Make repairs to cracks, holes, etc. as soon as possible
- Protect your patio by adding a water-repellent finish as needed
1. Deep clean your patio before winter storms arrive
As soon as winter lurks around the corner, it’s time to deep clean patio surfaces. Move furniture, planters, and other accessories out of the way so you can remove all traces of debris and scrub away marks before they have a chance to turn into stains.
All those BBQ stains and set-in dirt eventually start to undermine the quality of your patio. When wet weather hits, a dirty patio is more likely to develop patches of mold, mildew, or algae.
Certain cleaners can be used to help you tackle the task. Look for a specialty cleaner geared to the material of your patio to help lift set-on stains, mildew, or mold. Many cleaners can be attached to your garden hose and used to spray down surfaces.
If your patio is looking less than its best post-cleaning, you might want to consider stripping away deteriorated segments of finish before applying a new sealer or stain.
2. Apply a protective water-repellent finish to your patio
After your patio is spotless, you can apply a protective finishing coat to help prevent damage this winter. A good finish can also restore the natural beauty of your patio. A water-repellent finish is key to preventing moisture damage in the winter. There are protective finishes for wood, concrete, and a variety of other patio materials. Without additional protection, all kinds of materials are susceptible to damage from moisture and freeze/thaw cycles.
Some finishes are clear tinted and do not alter the color of your patio. There are also tinted finishes in unique shades and tones to enhance or breathe new life into your patio. Read the label on the finish to determine how often it needs to be replaced.
Need help restoring your patio? Contact the experts at Turnbull Masonry!
3. Make necessary repairs before winter arrives
It’s important to take care of all necessary patio repairs before winter weather strikes. Ignoring a faulty plank, or cracks and holes in the slab can result in much larger problems post-winter. Take care of smaller issues before they balloon to save money and protect the longevity of your patio.
What about summer wear and tear on your patio?
It’s important to prepare your patio for summer as well. The sun leads to wear and tear too, just not as quickly as moisture and cold weather. Sun exposure can reduce the natural coloring of your patio, which is where the right color-enhancing stain comes in handy. Additionally, the hot sun can bake on dirt, debris, bird poop, etc. into stubborn stains. To prevent this, make sure to clean regularly.
Turnbull Masonry can help protect your patio and deck all year long! From construction to maintenance and repairs, we are the leading local experts. Contact us today to learn more.
