The sidewalks and pathways in your yard are one element of the hardscaping that can be both useful and decorative. The key is not to allow the appearance to outweigh the functionality of your hardscaping choices, or you will eventually be unhappy with both look and use. The following are some mistakes to avoid when choosing hardscaping materials
#1: Ignoring the water flow
Water can be one of the biggest threats to your hardscaping. It can cause decorative patterns to wear off prematurely, lead to standing water and eventual cracking or sinking, or it may increase the chances for algae stains. To combat these issues, choose a medium that allows water to drain properly. One option is to opt for permeable paving. Bricks and pavers work well in this regard if you use sand joints between the pavers instead of mortar. Water can percolate through the joints and into the ground, instead of sitting on top of the pavers.
#2: Not considering usage patterns
The way you use your pathways is also important, otherwise you will end up damaging the landscape that surrounds the pavers. Install pavers or poured concrete pathways flush with the surrounding soil so that lawnmowers can mow right up to the edge – string trimmers can chip away at hardscaping. Also, make sure pathways are large enough to accommodate people as well as tools. Otherwise you may go off the path and wear down the grass on either side. The actual direction and shape of the path should also follow the way most likely traveled, otherwise the temptation to take an off-path short cut may damage your lawn.
#3: Skipping maintenance needs
Every type of path will require some maintenance, so make sure you can commit to it before choosing a particular path design. Paver paths often require annual joint maintenance, which is where you simply sweep fresh sand into the joints or replenish the sealer on the existing joints. You may also need to clean the hardscaping occasionally, so make sure you know the best method to use for your particular path. A water scrub with a deck brush is usually sufficient, since a power washer can damage bricks and sand joints. You may also need to seal the path occasionally, depending on your weather and the materials of the hardscaping option you choose.
For more assistance, you will want to contact a professional company such as Davis Landscape.
Share9 May 2017
When my husband and I bought our house years ago, we thought it would be our "starter" home and we would move in a few years. We soon had two children, and we then decided against moving since we live in a great school district and we love our neighbors. However, I was growing very tired of the appearance of our home. We painted it a different color, and it still seemed like the "same old house" that we were tired of. We finally deciding that maybe good landscaping would "do the trick" and make our home more enjoyable to use again. We were right, and I now love our home! I now love spending time in our yard and just enjoying the scenery. I have such a passion for landscaping now I decided to create a blog about it. I plan to share many landscaping tips, so come back!
