Backyard Brush-Up

Get your outdoor spaces ready for spring with these tips

AS THE WEATHER WARMS up, you and your family may be feeling the itch to get back outside, but that means the patio and porches need to get ready for outdoor living once again.

Whether you have put a lot of currency, consideration and time into your patio or porch, or have just now decided to join the outdoor-living world, here are some techniques to use when getting you outdoor space up to par. Experts in landscaping, hardscaping and outdoor furniture share their opinions, pointers and tips for getting your patio or porch ready for spring.

Power Wash to Perfection

Mark Ciminello – owner of Ciminello’s Inc., a local landscaping and garden center – tells his customers they first should get rid of surface grime by using a power washer.

“Most patios are lower maintenance than decks; (if there is) any mold or if the patios are dirty, what they need is a good power washing,” Ciminello says. “If you do power wash, you may need to re-sand the joints, which will help with weeds over time.”

A power washer can also be a big help in dealing with the hard stains that may occur in outdoor life, says Archie Suttles of Oakland Nursery. A serious stain should be washed off right away.

“If they drop wine or fruit juice, it can stain (the porch or patio) really badly,” Suttles says.

Restore Outdoors

Restorative maintenance work offers a variety of ways to keep your outdoor spaces looking good year after year.

Re-sanding keeps weeds out and helps with the overall structure of the patio, Ciminello says.

Ciminello warns homeowners of a bigger problem if the patio has been neglected: The patio or edge pavers may need to be re-leveled if they have settled.

“Power washing is purely cosmetic,” he says.

Sand on Hand

One little-known product that Ciminello recommends is polymeric sand, which helps prevent weeds from growing in hardscapes.

The special sand sticks to stone or other sand particles because of the organic materials and creates a glue to prevent water from seeping through. It also keeps pavers from moving.

To apply the polymeric sand in any patio, the existing sand needs to be washed out of the paver joints with a power washer.

Furniture Facts

When it comes to outdoor furniture, Bob Fortin, of Fortin Ironworks in the Tri-Village area, suggests sprucing up outdoor space by thinking of it as an extension of indoor space. Fortin Ironworks offers the Summer Classics line of outdoor furniture which, like many newer patio furniture lines, would look just as at home inside as it does on the back porch or in the garden.

“The Classics brand can now put anything inside your home, outside your home. There are baker’s racks and hutches, lamps and outdoor lighting that are completely outdoor safe,” Fortin says. “We love custom orders and having designers get involved. Customers can pick fringe, cord, embroidery, and it’s all completely usable outdoors.”

Though it looks like indoor furniture, today’s high-end brands are designed to withstand the elements. For example, cushions are designed to be outdoors, so homeowners need not worry about rain; they only need to be brought inside for winter storage.

When you’re buying outdoor furniture, Fortin suggests looking closely and asking how the product was made.

“Once you really get educated on what to look for, you will notice dramatic differences in how things are put together,” Fortin says. “Once you know what to look for, you can spot the lesser quality brands from the better quality brands.”

Carly Kohake is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at laurand@pub groupltd.com.

By Christopher Braun