Winterization Of Your Precious Hardscaping

What you can do to prepare your fire pits

That lovely, beautiful fire pit in your backyard is wonderful to look at and keeps you warm and cozy at night. That warmth gives only goes so far, though – it still needs its steps for protection from the severe cold. One of the first things to be done around the fire pit (and on top of it) is clearing away leaves and dirt accumulated over time. The last thing you want is for there to be damage done to the inside of it! The next step is one essential for fire safety as a whole: shut off any gas lines or valves when not in use or planning to stop use for the winter.

Removing/shutting off the propane tanks is another step many homeowners often forget to do before settling in for the cold months. Any accessories that are included in it should be stored safely for the winter, too. Fire burners should be securely covered, and a final wipe down of last-minute debris is always a great idea. Finally, covering the whole thing with a solid vinyl cover will help keep it protected from the elements and debris from falling inside of it, causing damage. 

How you can prepare other concrete hardscaping 

Not every home has the same types of hardscaping as the next, so of course, some homeowners are going to take more time prepping their landscape than others. However, the concrete areas need to be just as prepared for the winter months as the landscaped ones. So the first step to helping your concrete is to shovel where you can when you can! The type of shovel can make a world of difference, too – metal shovels can cause damage to your concrete areas, whereas rubber can do the job just as well without the risk of harming your hardscaping. 

What most people don’t realize is that using an excess of rock salt can do damage over time to your hard surfaces, so it’s always essential to make sure you’re looking for less corrosive ways to rid your home of extra snow. Fixing up any areas that are cracked or broken beforehand can also save you plenty of time and money down the line. These breaks in the concrete can (and most likely will) worsen as the season goes on, leaving you with a big mess to take care of in the spring. 

How you can prepare wood-based hardscaping

There are specific ways you can prepare your wood-built areas outside the same you would with the concrete ones. You’re likely to need to do some shoveling around these areas as well, to rid them of heavy amounts of snow if you’re able. Situations like these are another time those rubber shovels can really have the edge over metal ones. Another similar project to work on is fixing up any already existing damages to the wood surfaces. Any cracks need to be sealed or rotting/weak pieces that need to be replaced. Without these repairs, the wood will deteriorate much faster. 

One of the most common ways to help aid in the fight against snow/cold damage on wood is to seal it with sealants specifically designed for wood. Most wood used to build outdoor living areas (decks, patios, etc.) are already well suited for different forms of weather. However, it helps to assist with sealants that are friendly to the material and does a good job repelling water from seeping into it. 

What can happen if you don’t take preventative care

Several damages can occur if one is not careful with preparing their outdoor areas for the oncoming winter months. Your wood, as stated above, can begin rotting away or weaken badly, making it a very unsafe surface to walk across. You risk the boards breaking beneath you or cracking, unable to bear any kind of weight. Your concrete surfaces can crack and crumble, also becoming an unsafe area to walk on. Though it may seem hard to believe, concrete does become weakened by water and intense freezing, just like anything else. Part of the reason why is the water that gets into cracks or porous parts of it will expand when it freezes – the same goes for any other surface around your home.

Your concrete areas could potentially be at risk even more so if there’s any water run-off leaking its way onto them. It’s crucial to make sure this run-off is being diverted where it needs to be to avoid these issues. If you don’t do all that you can to protect your hardscaping ahead of time, you could really pay the price later on. All that beautiful concrete and woodwork can turn from a dream come true to a nightmare real quick! 

Why you should enlist some help from local professionals

Some things are easy for you to take on yourself if need be, such as cleaning off your fire pit, covering it, shoveling snow, and turning off anything that needs to be turned off. However, some things can be a bit more complicated and could use help from the folks that know more about what they’re doing. Fixing up anything that needs it, making repairs to those hardscaping areas, sealing in the hardwood, and other bigger jobs are tasks that not everybody can take on themselves, unfortunately. 

If you’re looking for people you can trust to get the job done right and treat your home as if it were theirs, then Perfection Lawn and Landscaping are the people for you! They will assess what your property needs to be fully prepared for winter and help you figure out a proper plan of action to get it done. Your home is your pride and joy; the employees at Perfection are here to make it truly picture perfect!