Return to All

How to Maintain and Care for Your Hardscape Elements

Landscaping|Organic / Sustainable Landscaping|Landscape Design Ideas|Landscape Materials|How to Guides

Introduction

Hardscape maintenance is essential for preventing costly repairs down the road and ensuring the aesthetic appeal and safety of your outdoor space over time. At Lyngso, we understand that the maintenance required can vary significantly depending on the types of materials used and the specific hardscape elements involved, which can sometimes add to the challenge. In this guide, you will find three fundamental practices to cover the bases, alongside hardscape maintenance tips tailored to natural stone elements such as retaining walls, patios, and pathways to help you maintain these features effectively and efficiently.

Pro Tip:
Tailor the Care of Your Stone Wall Based on Its Porosity for Optimal Maintenance

To determine if your natural stone wall needs sealing you can conduct a simple absorbency test. Place several drops of water on the stone’s surface and note how long it takes for the water to disappear. If the water absorbs quickly, the stone is more porous and likely needs sealing to protect it from stains and weathering. If it takes a while for the water to absorb, the stone may not require frequent sealing.

What Is Hardscape Maintenance?

Hardscape maintenance is the systematic care and preservation of non-living elements in outdoor spaces, such as pathways, patios, retaining walls, and other constructed features. Such structures are constantly exposed to the environment and are subject to temperature changes, prolonged sun exposure, foot traffic, and animal activities. This exposure leads to wear and tear over time and can affect the aesthetic appeal, structural integrity, and safety of the hardscape.

How Often Do You Need to Maintain Your Hardscape Elements?

Due to the varied climate of the Bay area, maintaining your hardscape elements at least once a year is recommended to preserve their aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. More frequent care may be necessary in high-foot-traffic or exposed areas. When it comes to seasonal maintenance, spring is a great time to address any winter damage and prepare for the active months ahead, while fall maintenance ensures your hardscape is ready for the colder season.

3 Fundamental Hardscape Maintenance Practices

Regular Sealing

By following these fundamental maintenance practices, you can help prevent major repairs down the road and extend the lifespan of your hardscape:

Applying a protective layer of coating to hardscape elements such as patios and walkways helps enhance their resistance to environmental factors and daily wear. Sealing prevents water absorption, protects against UV damage, and preserves the aesthetic appeal and durability of natural stone over time. A proper sealant will not only extend the life of the stone but also enhance its color and guard against stains. Products like Natural Stone Impregnator help seal natural stone from within the pores of the stone.

Frequent Cleaning and Inspection

Regular cleaning and inspection is essential for preserving the appearance and integrity of your hardscape. Gentle washing to remove dust, dirt, and organic build-up helps prevent wear and reveals early signs of damage, such as cracks, erosion, or loose stones, particularly after seasonal changes. Use a non-toxic masonry cleaner and or a concrete cleaner for all the hardscape area.

Weed Control

Especially during the growing season, it’s important to control weed and vegetation growth in the joints and edges of stonework. If left unchecked, weed roots can widen cracks and displace stones over time. We recommend using sustainable methods of weed control as harsh chemicals can damage natural stone and harm the local ecosystem. Sheet Mulching is the most sustainable way to get rid of your weed infested yard.

Maintaining Retaining Walls, Pathways, and Patios

Maintaining and Caring for Your Natural Stone and Retaining Walls

Retaining walls, much like freestanding natural stone walls, call for a few additional care steps to ensure their longevity and structural integrity.

Firstly, it’s crucial to periodically check for signs of wall movement, such as bulging or leaning, which are indicators of potential structural failure and may require intervention. Regular inspections throughout the year are essential, especially after the winter season or significant weather events, and can also help you identify issues like cracks or erosion early on.

For new installations, consider applying a protective sealant within the first year to guard against stains and moisture, and plan for resealing every 3-5 years. Regarding cleaning your natural stone wall, avoid harsh chemicals such as acid-based products, which can etch and permanently discolor the stone. Instead, you can use specialized natural stone cleaners. Also, exercise caution with power washing since high pressures can damage the stone. However, you can minimize risk by using a low-pressure setting and maintaining a reasonable distance from the wall’s surface.

Best Practices for Maintaining Your Pathways and Patios

The specific maintenance and care requirements for patios and pathways greatly depend on the materials used and the type of installation. Each material brings unique characteristics that dictate the best practices for optimal upkeep.

For pathways made of decomposed granite and pathway fines, it is crucial to maintain their stability and appearance through regular compaction, especially following rainfall. To preserve the structural integrity and prevent weed growth, apply fresh layers of granite fines every few years and consider using a barrier fabric beneath the granite layer to control vegetation.

Flagstone elements require careful maintenance to preserve their unique look and structural integrity. Regularly check and refresh the sand or gravel in the joints between the flagstones to prevent shifting and weed growth. When it comes to cleaning, we recommend using only mild detergents or a cleaner specifically made for stone, and a soft brush to avoid scratches. While applying a sealant isn’t always necessary, it can enhance the stone’s color and protect against stains, depending on the type of flagstone and its exposure to the elements.

Final Thoughts

Regular care for your hardscape elements is the best way to maintain the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space for years to come and protect your property’s value. At Lyngso, we offer everything you need for your annual or seasonal hardscape maintenance, including all the necessary tools and materials to repair and care for your natural stone elements. Visit our extensive showroom and landscaping yard in San Carlos for expert advice and inspiration, and contact us today to learn about delivery options for your home.

Tags: | | | |
Return to All
Previous Next