As winter goes, and Natural temperatures will increase, lots of homeowners are wishing their front or backyard look rejuvenated and spotless. Still, concrete patios often show a totally different picture. By May, without even the severe winter weather, patios may seem stained, faded, uneven, and full of grime. This is a very disappointing situation for homeowners who want their outdoor areas ready for spring meet-ups and family barbecues.
Freeze-thaw cycles are primarily responsible for making patios look ugly year after year in spring. During winter, moisture enters the minuscule cracks and pores of the concrete surface. When it’s really cold, the moisture freezes and expands. With the arrival of warmer temperatures, the ice melts and shrinks. Hence, the constant freezing and thawing of moisture damages the concrete over time resulting in cracks, surface roughness, and discoloration that become quite visible once the snow has melted.
Trapped Moisture Creates Stains and Algae
After the end of winter, moisture is still often encapsulated under the layers of leaves, dirt, and debris left behind during the winter season. The presence of moisture is ideal for the production of mold, mildew, and algae. These stains typically manifest themselves as green, black, or very dark brown spots on the surface of the patio.
Patios that have shade are quite susceptible to this problem as they take longer to dry after it rains or there is dew in the morning. Consequently, these stains will show and spread over a period making the patio look uncared for even if the rest of the yard starts looking fresh for spring.
Pollen and Tree Debris Add to the Problem
Another thing that spring has is pollen, which many homeowners fail to consider. Big amounts of pollen discharged by trees, flowers, and plants settle on patios and outdoor surfaces. When pollen is combined with moisture and dirt, a yellowish coating is formed which makes the concrete surface look like it has lost its shine.
Tree debris is yet another culprit behind the mess. Leaves, twigs, seeds, sticky resin, and other things falling from trees are notorious for leaving stains that are hardly removable, especially if they are on the ground for a longer time. When the owners of the house finally decide to bring the outdoor furnishings, the floor may already look unappealing and uneven.
Outdoor Entertaining Becomes Frustrating
Lots of people entertain outdoors in spring and early summer. A good number of house owners are excited about inviting their relatives and friends over for a cookout, serving them meals outdoors, or just having a relaxing time on their patio at the weekends. But, when the patio has stains and is dirty, the whole backyard may seem uninviting.
Whenever the outdoor furniture is placed on discolored concrete floors, they hardly look attractive. At the same time, algae-covered floors that are slippery may cause accidents among the guests. Lots of people may consider cleaning the patio by themselves; however, after the first attempt, they will understand that the usual sweeping and household cleaning products do not give satisfactory results in removing the accumulated dirt of the season.
How Pressure Washing Helps Restore Patios
There is nothing like professional cleaning to freshen up your patio before outdoor grilling begins. Many homeowners schedule pressure washing services in Dayton OH to help remove seasonal dirt, pollution, algae, mildew, pollen, and debris that simple cleaning methods often fail to fully eliminate.
Apart from redesigning the concrete flooring, pressure washing also assists in preparing the open-air facilities prior to the placement of furniture, grills, and other decorative elements for the warmer season. Besides, a just-cleaned floor immediately fills the backyard with more light and freshness and makes it more welcoming to the family members and guests.
A Cleaner Patio for the Warmer Months Ahead
Concrete patios face a lot of challenges during winter and early spring. Apart from freeze-thaw damage, moisture, pollen, and tree debris left on the surface also cause stains and a tired look of the patio which most people notice in May. Dealing with such issues as early as possible will uplift the look of a patio and result in an outdoor living space that everyone will want to use the entire season.
