In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the key risks that may be present with regard to any hardscaping on your property. Referring to items like pavers and several others, hardscaping items often help define a given landscape — but because they sit out in the elements all winter in a cold location like Utah, they do need to be protected.
At Olympus Landscaping, hardscaping is one of several areas we’ll handle for both our residential and commercial landscaping clients, including not just installations but also long-term care for any hardscape elements on your property. While part one of our series went over some of the threats that may face your hardscape this winter, today’s part two will look into some protective strategies to avoid any such risks.
Proper Installation
First and foremost, a hardscape that’s able to withstand a Utah winter is one that’s been installed properly. Without taking the proper steps during an installation, there’s no way to ensure that a hardscape element will fare well in a cold winter — even if it is protected somehow.
This means that you should look for a qualified landscaping business to handle your installation, since this is something they’ll have experience with and can do right from the start. Furthermore, an experienced landscaping company can give you insight into how to take care of the installation once it’s been completed.
Keep Snow Away
Whenever possible, it pays to do your best to keep snow away from your pavers, concrete and other hardscape items. It may not seem like much, but snow can do a lot of damage to these items and cause them to weaken — so even if you’re able to clear off the top portion of your paver or concrete, it still makes sense to keep as much snow away from them as possible.
Use a Salt-Free De-Icer
As we noted in part one of our series, de-icing products that use salt can actually damage a hardscape, especially if it’s allowed to seep into the area where the hardscape is located. Because of this, it helps to look for a de-icer that doesn’t use salt — this will accomplish the same goal, but won’t damage your hardscape installation.
Speaking of de-icer, it’s important to clean up any excess from your hardscape, since this stuff can deteriorate the surface over time. If you have a pet in the area where you live, it’s also wise to contain any de-icer or any other cleaners or material that could affect your pets in a way they would not like.
For more on how to prevent any winter-related damage or issues with your hardscape, or to learn about our any of our landscaping services in Utah, speak to the team at Olympus Landscaping today.