Top tips for Autumn driveways, patios, paths
Top tips for keeping driveways, patios, paths tidy in Autumn
It’s getting chilly and Summer is definitely on its way out. With Autumn comes falling leaves, damp conditions and less sunlight: all things likely to make your patio, pathway and drive look a bit tatty. Take some time to tidy up and look after your surfaces as we head towards Winter. Here’s how:
- look out for surfaces slippery from rain, mud or leaf fall. Spend some time sweeping the surface with a stiff brush and using a cleaning solution like Jeyes if necessary
- if you want to give your block paving a bit of a facelift, you can pressure wash it, but bear in mind that this will blast out the sand between the blocks. So you’ll need to rekiln the blocks once they’ve dried (and then you could reseal it all, too). We recently rekilned and resealed a drive in Tilehurst which we first laid 7 years ago. It looks as good as new again now!
- it’s not too late to apply solutions (like woodstain to decking) but remember you’ll need a good period of warm sunlight to dry it off
- have a look at your gravel: is it looking patchy? Now’s a good time to get hold of some extra shingle and rake it in
- look for dips in your tarmac: if they fill with water, the puddles will turn to ice when the temperatures drop. Get them leveled off now for a safe surface
- if any sections of your block paving have dropped, consider getting remedial repairs carried out before the cold weather causes damage between the blocks. Individual sections can be lifted and leveled out.
- and, the big one: look at your tarmaced surfaces, block paving and brickwork now to spot any small cracks or gaps. The first bit of icy weather we have will spell disaster unless you sort these little holes out now. Water will get in and, when it freezes, expand – and that’s how you get big cracks and potholes
I hope that gives you some useful ideas for maintaining your domestic surfacing over Autumn.
Sam, Berkshire’s Driveway Expert
Top Tips for Autumn driveways, patios, paths is a post from the Berkshire’s Driveway Expert blog.
