Summer is ideal for working on outdoor activities that you haven’t gotten around to engaging in during the winter. With that said, driveways and walkways are some of those parts of the property that are also left unnoticed. These commonly used spaces are prone to dirt, oil staining, and grime accumulation from the weather. As a result, these places become very dirty. However, if suitable maintenance practices are put in place, then these areas can remain clean the entire summer season.
Summer Maintenance Tips: Keep Your Driveway & Walkways Spotless
By the end of this guide, your driveways and walkways will not only remain clean but also attractive, which will prevent the need to spend money on expensive renovations. In addition, get summer maintenance tips: keep your driveway & walkways spotless.
Start with a Deep Cleaning
The foremost activity to maintain your driveway or walkway clean is to properly wash out accumulated dirt and debris. First, take a broom and a dustpan, then remove the dust, leaves, and other particles that might have stuck during a period. After the surface is cleared of the major particles, aim a garden hose or, even better, a pressure washer, for a detailed cleaning. A high-pressure water cleaning will loosen and push away any stubborn grime or mildew, or dirt that is disgustingly stuck in cracks or crevices.
In case there are more persistent stains like oil stains or grease marks, a specialized driveway cleaner, which is a type of oil cleaner, would be more useful. The cleaner should be applied to the affected areas and scrubbed with a stiff bristled brush. Most important when attacking these stains is patience; allow the cleaning solution to sit for about 3 minutes before rinsing it out. Results are astonishing; the surface looks so much fresher with simply a lick of effort.
Tackle Stubborn Stains Promptly
Oil, grease, and tire marks are the fiercest foes that clash with an immaculate driveway. Resolving these disputes quickly staves off an internal conflict that is much more difficult to resolve. To clean oil stains while they are fresh, sprinkle cat litter over the concerned area and leave it there for 24 hours so it can do its work. After that, simply sweep the area and the mess will be gone.
For other stains, letting baked soda do the work alongside a firm brushing will yield pleasant results. Make sure to stir the cleaner into the stain with baking soda. Rinse off with water afterwards. These methods may seem improvisational but rest assured, they work like a charm.
Protect Your Surfaces with a Sealant
It is preferable to maintain your driveway or walkway neat and clean for as long as possible. One way to maintain cleanliness is to apply a sealant which acts as a shield against dirt, water, and oil stains. Sealants will also make your walkways shinier and make them easier to clean in the future.
Your choice of sealant must match the walkway or driveway material to be effective. If your surface is made of standard cement, use concrete sealers. If your driveway is made of asphalt, then buy a specific asphalt sealer. Read the instructions carefully and make sure to allow enough time for the surface to dry completely before using it.
Keep Grass and Weeds in Check
Weeds and grasses coming up from the gaps can make your driveways and walkways look unattractive. These plants tend to flourish in summer, and it is accompanied by frequent rainfall. In your maintenance program for your driveway, regular weeding is crucial. For larger growths, a weed puller can be used or herbicides can be applied to stop any further growth.
Weed growth can also be checked by sealing cracks that already exist on your surfaces, which will also help in restricting the spread of weeds. A crack filler, which is sold in most do-it-yourself superstores, can be used to ensure that your driveway and walkways do not get infested by weeds while maintaining their condition.
Sweep and Rinse Regularly
Extreme care must be taken in terms of outdoor surface maintenance. Basic maintenance work, such as sweeping and rinsing away the dirt from your paths and driveway every week, can have a greater impact than one might assume. Scheduled maintenance does an exemplary job in minimizing the build up of dirt and avoids the surfaces from getting discolored over a long period.
In case you live close to a construction site or next to a park with a lot of trees, there might be a need to increase the maintenance schedule to two times a week. To maintain the driveway in between the splashing rinses, one can utilize a typical garden hose. Apart from ensuring that your surroundings are aesthetically pleasing, this method will also ease the task of thorough cleaning.
Be Selective with Cleaning Tools
Knowing which cleaning methods are ideal in terms of tools is one crucial part of driveway maintenance. Rather than metal brushes, use ones with firmly packed bristles, as they would not result in scrapes on the surface. Also, if you plan to use a pressure washer, make sure you are not using the highest setting as this could damage some materials.
When cleaning walkable surfaces of natural stone or paver material, consult with the manufacturer or installer about the best cleaning method; some materials need special maintenance to slow the rate of erosion or discoloration over time. Before applying any cleaning solutions widely, always perform a test on a small and out of sight area first.
Conclusion
Summer should be the one time of the year where one can appreciate outdoor spaces without the worry of having to maintain them more than necessary. These tips will ensure that your walkways and driveway are not only kept immaculate, but in the astounding condition for the winter months as well. The level of your outdoor features’ cleanliness and upkeep reveals the degree of attention paid to the property, which improves its value.
Best Pressure Washer in Tallahassee
This summer, remember to take some time off to try out these strategies, which, while simple, are proven to be helpful. After putting in minimal effort, you will be glad to have effortless upkeep and astonishingly well-kept outdoor spaces.
