Landscaping is more than just plants, trees, mulch and grass, although those are certainly the parts that come to people’s minds first. Landscaping also includes your hardscape features—those portions of the landscaped area that are non-living. These can really serve a number of purposes, but they should never be neglected or taken for granted, as they can really add some compelling details and pops of utility around your yard.
As such, hardscape features like retaining walls need to be maintained on a regular basis. Retaining wall maintenance in Kansas City is not something that you want to neglect, so we’ve compiled some basic DIY tips on how to clean these integral parts of your yard.
Why does hardscaping need cleaning?
Landscaping can go a long way towards adding value to your home—by many estimates, it can add up to 20 percent to your home’s value. It’s one of the first things visitors see, and it can really impact their first impression of you and your property. Hardscaping also experiences a considerable amount of wear and tear from weather and foot traffic, not to mention the natural overgrowth that can come from the living parts of the landscape, so keeping discoloring and disintegration at bay becomes key. For instance, those wondering how to clean patio pavers in Kansas City will be pleased to know that doing so can really add life and color to these features.
Cleaning hardscape can be simple
One of the easiest ways to clean hardscape features is to simply keep them cleared off. Leaves and debris can collect on surfaces like driveways and paths, so these should be promptly swept away. If these decompose on the surface, they can really cause discoloration and can attract water that can pool on the surface and further erode and damage it. For the same reason, you want to make sure weeds are quickly pulled, along with any other growth that pops up.
Keep in mind that you should avoid using sprays that can harm your yard and the water supply, and focus on pulling weeds instead. However, this is also where you might run into things like moss, where pulling it can damage the hardscaping. If this happens, it’s time to call in the pros for hardscape and retaining wall maintenance in Kansas City.
Remove mold, mildew and other growth
One of the questions our team at MSE Hardscape Design and Installation gets all the time is about how people can deal with growth like moss and mold. As noted above, you want to be careful with this type of project, because it’s possible to damage the hardscaping if you’re not. Part of patio and retaining wall maintenance in Kansas City is keeping these natural growths at bay using careful scrubbing, but you should always call pros if you need more assistance.
Keeping your hardscaping nice and tidy is a way to add value and attractiveness to your property. A lot of it can be done with diligent DIY maintenance, but at the same time you want to make sure you call in the pros if you feel you might damage materials. Give MSE Hardscape Design and Installation a call today and we can answer any questions you have about hardscaping maintenance!