The summer is already into its second month and 4th of July cookouts have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean summer gatherings and other barbeques are done for the summer. Impromptu hangouts, family cookouts, graduation celebrations, etc. are ready to commence in the summer sun. While you are preparing for that, you will want to make sure everything in your yard is in good condition and appealing for guests. One of the most overlooked preparation steps for your backyard is making sure your patio looks clean. You definitely want to make sure that your patio does not have any dirt, spills, or stains from either the winter or previous parties to take away from the beauty patios add to homes. Below are a couple of cleaning tips you can do for your masonry patio or outdoor living area that will keep them looking new all summer long.

Spot Cleaning

Once you have finished the primary cleaning after you have some get-togethers or holiday cookouts, take some time to see if there are any stains on your patio. If you do happen to notice any stains then there is no need for to much concern as these are easiest spots to clean and you do not need to invest in heavy cleaning supplies. With common cleaning materials, you can conduct the following cleaning techniques:

• Use dishwashing soap and salt with warm water to make a cleaning solution.
• Apply solution to your patio surface by using a rag or cloth and let the solution sit for a few minutes.
• Scrub the patio surface with a bristle brush and rinse the solution off.

Power Washing

If the amount of mildew and grime from the winter, or amount of dirt and stains from previous cookouts, is more abundant to be considered a spot clean then you will need to use a power washer. If you do not have a power washer there are many for rent online but purchasing one for long-term use is a good idea. Power washers pressurize the water flow going into the machine to provide an unparalleled cleaning method. The pressured water gets deep into the patio surface to remove any dirt and debris. Below are the steps to getting your washer ready to clean your patio.

• Connect your garden hose to the power washer and attach the nozzle to release excess air before turning the water on.
• Test the pressure on a small area of the patio.
• Spray the patio down, moving away from your home and depending on the amount of debris you may need to repeat this step a couple of times.
• While you are spraying, water will build up along with residue from the washer that will need to be brushed away.

Stubborn Stains

If the first two methods do not seem to lift any stains that are on your patio you will need to resort to heavy duty cleaning solutions. This heavy-duty solution is called trisodium phosphate, and it is a heavy duty cleaner found in most hardware stores or online. Below are some things to keep in mind when using this cleaning solution.

• Wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing as the chemicals in the phosphate are hazardous.
• Just like with other cleaners, for optimal usage, mix half a cup of the phosphate with water. Use a brush to scrub the cleaner onto the stains and rinse with water.

If you have additional questions on cleaning masonry projects and patios of your home, or would like a masonry service performed by our contractors contact us today!