Your backyard walkways provide your family and guests with paths to follow so they
can enjoy the beauty of nature and the aesthetic of your landscape. However, a
poorly kept walkway can distract from the natural appeal of the landscape, and
it may also pose a hazard to your visitors. Find out how to maintain backyard
walkways so they add to the visual interest of your landscape, rather than
detracting from it.
Sweep and Tidy Up Your Backyard
Walkways
Simply
brushing away the dirt, grass clippings, and other debris with a broom goes a
long way toward making your backyard walkways attractive and usable. Outdoor
toys, sticks or branches from the last thunderstorm, clippings from when you
recently trimmed the hedge—all those items can be tripping hazards, and they
can detract from the overall look of your backyard landscape.
Clean Up Stains on the Pavers or
Concrete
Whether you
have concrete walkways or pavers, you may find that your backyard walkway
occasionally develops oils stains or other stains. Kurtz Bros carries a range
of cleaners for concrete and natural stone, cleaners to remove moss and mildew build up, and to remove rubber and tar from your concrete paved surfaces or
natural stone. If you’re not sure which is the best cleaner to use, consult one of our experts for the best results.
Pull Out the Weeds from Your Backyard
Walkway
Weeds and
grass can encroach between paving stones or in the cracks of a concrete backyard walkway. Spray these weeds with weedkiller and then remove the wilted stems—or
just pull them out. If you're okay with grass growing between your walkway's
paving stones, keep that grass trimmed to a level that's even with the rest of
the lawn.
Eliminate Mold Growth
If your
walkway is in a moist, shady area, you may encounter some mold issues. Keep an
eye out for black, green, yellow, or white mold with a spongy consistency.
Undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle can help to eliminate the mold before
it has a chance to erode your walkway.
Fix Broken Pieces or Cracks
Jutting,
tilted pavers, broken tiles, or cracks in the concrete are not only
unsightly—they can also be a hazard to your family and guests. When you notice
such issues occurring because of dramatic temperature changes or hard use, take
the time to repair the problems.
Repairing a walkway can be as simple as replacing one paver or as complex as re-pouring the concrete for the entire walkway. If you don't have time for a major fix, find a way to cover or patch the problem area temporarily, and be sure to warn guests of the potential hazard.
Use Special Care with Brick Walkways
Brick
walkways are often easier to repair, due to their modular nature. However,
bricks can be susceptible to chipping, breaking, and cracking. Avoid using a
wire brush to clean your brick walkway—instead, use a stiff broom and then
follow up the sweeping with a blast from the hose.
The
landscaping experts at Kurtz Bros., Inc. are always happy to assist you. Call
anytime with questions about landscaping supplies, lawn care equipment, best
practices for stormwater management, and any other lawn care issues that may be of concern to
you.