How to Maintain Your Brick Patio

Many people choose to build their backyard patios with brick pavers instead of concrete because of the aesthetic appeal they provide. A brick patio can instantly make any backyard more attractive, but they must be properly maintained. Use these four tips to keep your brick pavers looking new for years to come.

Eliminate Weeds

Nothing can spoil the appearance of your patio faster than unappealing weeds sprouting up between the bricks. Commercial weed-killing sprays can be used, but beware that they are harmful to the environment and are a hazard to pets and children. A natural, nontoxic alternative is a mixture of vinegar and water. Sealants can also help with this problem (read below).

Routine Cleaning

The best thing you can do to keep your brick patio looking new is to clean it regularly. Sweep grass clippings, dirt, and leaves off the pavers with a broom every few days. This debris not only stains the bricks, but causes them to fade unevenly by blocking sunlight. Oil spills should immediately be covered in kitty litter or sand to soak the oil up and prevent long-term damage.

Periodic Powerwashing

Sweeping your patio is a good way to remove visible dirt, but power washing your patio twice a year is the best way to remove the stubborn debris that you might not see. An occasional power washing will restore the color of your bricks to their original appearance. Power washing can be done by landscaping contractors, or you can rent the equipment for the day and do it yourself.

Sealants

Sealing your patio is the best way to preserve its look for many years. Like sealcoating an asphalt driveway, adding an extra layer of protection will help keep water and the sun from damaging the strength and appearance of the bricks. For optimal performance, seal your patio immediately after installation and every few years after.

Stasi Brothers is Long Island's leading asphalt contractor and brick mason. We have proudly served the residents and businesses of Nassau County for more than 50 years and have earned an A+ accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. To learn what we can do for your home, click here to visit our website or call us at 516-997-PAVE.

Common Problems with Asphalt

Asphalt is a great material to use for driveways. It is cheap to install, easy to maintain, and lasts for decades when properly maintained. However, it can present you with problems, especially when not cared for. Here are four common problems that an asphalt driveway can encounter, as well as solutions for fixing or preventing them.

Alligator Cracking

Also known as spider web cracking, this issue is characterized by lots of small cracks in the asphalt which cause it to look like alligator skin (see the picture above). Generally caused by structural damage, the best way to fix this is to cut out the affected pavement and patch the area with hot-mix asphalt.

Potholes

Potholes generally form in the spring but are caused by winter weather. If snow isn't completely removed from your driveway after a storm, the water can penetrate the surface of your asphalt driveway. As the weather changes, this water will repeatedly thaw and freeze, causing it to expand and damage the pavement. The best way to prevent this is by always keeping your driveway clear of snow, slush, ice, and water.

Discoloration

Over time, your asphalt's beautiful black finish will begin to fade to a grayish-brown color. If you notice this starting to happen to your driveway, get it professionally sealcoated. Sealcoating your driveway not only improves its appearance; it provides an extra layer of defense and extends its lifespan.

Edge Cracks

Edge cracks appear within two feet of the edge of your driveway. They are usually caused by poor drainage conditions and excessive weight loads. The best way to prevent your driveway from cracking on the edge is by avoiding driving on the perimeter. When parking your car, always try to keep it as close to the center of your driveway as possible.

If your Long Island home is in need of an asphalt driveway installation or repaving, call Stasi Brothers at 516-997-PAVE. We are Long Island's oldest asphalt and masonry contractor and hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. For more information about our company and the services we provide, click here to visit our website or connect with us on Facebook.

Benefits of Sealcoating

 

If your property has an asphalt driveway or parking lot, you are aware of the high costs of a repaving. With no maintenance, a new asphalt driveway will last about 7-10 years, but that can more than double with proper care. One of the best things you can do to protect an asphalt surface is to sealcoat it every couple of years. Some of the benefits offered by sealcoating are:

• Save Money. Sealcoating your asphalt driveway is not an expensive procedure. In fact, it can be done for just pennies per square foot, up to 25 times less than the cost of a complete repaving.
• Appearance. Over the course of several months and years, UV rays and water can cause oxidation in your asphalt driveway, which turns it brittle and tarnishes the color. A fresh sealcoat restores the pavement to the beautiful, deep black finish that you may remember from its initial paving.
• Winter Weather Defense. Sealcoating is especially beneficial during the winter months, for more reasons than one. A freshly coated asphalt surface will cause snow and ice to melt faster, in addition to providing extra traction when it gets icy.
• Durability. Sealcoating provides an extra layer of protection to an asphalt surface that is vulnerable to damage from UV rays, water, and oil drips/spills. Uncoated asphalt is porous and will allow these elements to penetrate its surface and deteriorate its base, but maintaining a good sealcoating schedule can more than double your driveway's lifespan.

If you are overdue for an asphalt sealcoating, call Long Island's most experienced paving contractor at 516-997-PAVE. Stasi Brothers has proudly served the residents of Nassau County for more than 50 years, providing them with high-quality asphalt, masonry, and snow removal services. For more information about our company, visit our website or connect with us on social media – we are active on both Twitter and Facebook.