3 Ways to Protect Your Patio

A patio can be a fantastic addition to a home. Whether a contractor created the finished result or you chose to follow the do-it-yourself home improvement path, being the new owner of an awesome patio delivers rewards. A patio totally adds beauty to the exterior of a home. You might become the proverbial envy of the neighborhood. The envy could even be rooted in the equity increase the property gains. The presence of a patio just might increase the value of a home.

All of these benefits, however, depend on the patio remaining in good condition. Patios are exposed to the elements and various other hazards. You don’t want to see the patio ruined only a few months after completion. Thankfully, three solid steps could go a long way towards making sure the patio stays in tip-top shape.

Using Sealers to Protect Against Moisture

A patio cannot help but be exposed to rain and snow. Even if the patio is covered by a roof or an awning, some water and ice can find its way to the patio surface. Once there, damage could be inflicted on the wood or concrete used to build the patio. Waterproofing might be a workable prevention against damage.

Adding a sealer definitely would be a good move. A sealer keeps water from touching the surface. In a sense, the sealant acts as a buffer that protects the concrete or wood underneath the applied sealant. Paint alone won’t do the job. In fact, certain paints chip and peel when exposed to moisture.

With a concrete patio, the first step entails thoroughly cleaning the surface. Dirt and debris undermine the ability of the sealant to stick. With a wood patio, cleaning is a given. Sandpapering the wood surface may be required as well. Those with any questions or confusion about how to properly apply a sealer to a patio should consult with a professional. Doing this job improperly would undermine all the positive results sought from doing it in the first place.

Safeguard Against Heavy Storms

Simple rainfall might not be the only weather event a patio may be exposed to. Seriously powerful storms could wreck all manner of harm on the patio and its furniture. One obvious step to take would be to remove any belongings that could be blown around by the wind. Upon hearing about a potential hurricane, it may be best to store patio furniture and other items inside the house or a garage. Anything that flies around could not only damage the patio, but also inflict harm on the attached home, a neighbor’s home, or even people in the vicinity.

You may not always be home at the time of an impending storm, though. Without anyone to remove a furniture, grill, or another item, a hazard could exist. The potential for a hazard may be reduced when they are secured in place. Bolting things to the surface of the patio remains an option. As with sealing the surface, requesting the services of a professional may be the best way to ensure the securing process is done right.

Keep the Deck Free of any Fire Hazards

A wooden deck runs the risk of going up in flames if exposed to fire. And yes, the fire could spread from the patio to the home very quickly. When you think about things this way, you realize leaving a large can of lighter fluid outside by the patio BBQ grill may not be a good idea. Nor would it be wise to ignore any electrical problems that could spark and ignite. For example, a failing electric patio heater might present sparking hazards.

The local fire department may even be able to examine the patio and home for fire hazards as part of an inspection program. Taking advantage of such offers definitely would help the cause of increasing safety and reducing potential damage.