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Top tips for easy patio and deck maintenance

By Guest Poster • 3 Comments

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By Marcus Fulker

With the warmer weather drawing us Aussies out of our homes and into the outdoors, now is the time to make sure your patio is in tip top shape. No matter how old your outdoor patio may be, maintaining it every year is the only way to make it last — so you can keep using it summer after summer. It’s always a good idea to sweep daily, wash yearly, and seal or polish every two to three years. Depending on whether you patio is made of stone pavers, concrete, or timber, and whether it is covered or uncovered, you will have different concerns, but whatever the case, it’s not hard to maintain your outdoor patio yourself.

Maintaining a stone paver patio

Pavers Patio - interiors addict
Source: Flickr

Weed Growth – If your outdoor patio is made of separate stone pavers placed on the ground and levelled, there will be small gaps between each paver. When it comes to grass and small plants growing up between the stones, maintaining your patio is much less of a hassle than replacing it.

If you are just installing a new stone paver patio, you can make it more difficult for plants to grow underneath it by laying a mesh weed screen before laying the pavers. If you do notice weeds growing between pavers in your outdoor patio, pull them out immediately, or use a weed killer spray to prevent regrowth. A natural, green alternative to store-bought weed killer is vinegar. Make sure that the space between the pavers is filled in with sand.

Cleaning & Stain Removal – Cleaning and sealing your patio regularly can also prevent dirt and stains from getting into the pavers, helping it to last and look fresh and new for longer. Make sure that you clean your patio prior to sealing or polishing it, or you will seal the dirt in.

To clean and remove dirt or stains, first try pressure washing or water from a hose and a scrub brush on a handle. If you have tough stains, you may need to use chemicals to remove them. Make sure to use protective gear, and try to use natural materials or diluted chemicals when possible to avoid killing any plants around your patio, or contaminating the ground.

Maintaining a concrete outdoor patio

Concrete Patio - interiors addict
Source: Flickr

If you are sweeping your concrete patio daily, it should not require much maintenance except for a twice-yearly cleaning to get rid of the dirt build-up, similar to a stone paver patio. Try pressure washing, or using a pressure nozzle on your hose and a broom or scrub brush. If you need to remove stains, use eco-friendly chemicals to avoid damaging your backyard. After washing and removing stains, apply an annual layer of paint or a sealant to protect your patio from the elements.

Concrete can be easier to maintain than pavers because it is one large piece, but if you do have cracks, make sure to repair them as soon as possible to prevent plant growth and further decay of your patio.

Maintaining a timber deck

Deck Patio - interiors addict
Source: Flickr

If you have a wooden deck instead of a patio, it still needs to be well maintained in order to look its best and last as long as possible.

  • Keep your deck clean and dry. Sweep it regularly, and pressure wash all vertical and horizontal surfaces yearly. You can use diluted laundry detergent or diluted, eco-friendly bleach to wash your timber deck if you have stains. Be careful not to leave cleaner on the timber for too long, or to pressure wash one spot too long as you could damage the wood.
  • When it comes to timber patios, you will need to inspect the wood for signs of rot, loose or protruding nails and splinters. Replace those pieces that could be a danger to you and your family and sand away areas that may have splinters – which typically means the railings.
  • Protect your deck with a deck stain or sealant designed for timber outdoor patios. Paints, stains and sealants can help protect your patio from damage caused by use, water, temperature fluctuations and more.

— Marcus Fulker is the managing director of Great Aussie Patios, Perth’s leading patio builder and patio design company since 2000.

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January 5, 2015

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Two little dancers in the family now🪩 Two little dancers in the family now🪩
I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom li I don't regret the extra expense of my bathroom lighting for a minute.

Although at the time I may have been a bit "HOW MUCH?" 😂

Thrilled to have our bathroom shared in an article about lighting on @bhgaus where I talk about 2 things we chose in particular.

Firstly the LED light in the bath niche which is the PERFECT relaxing bathing light (and you know I have one every single night!).

Second, (swipe) a sensor light under the vanity which makes it easy for the kids and visitors who aren't familiar with the light switches, to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night with ease! 

Do you have either of these things in your bathroom or would you consider them?

Read the full Better Homes & Gardens article via link in bio now. 

Pix by @jacqui_turk

#bathroomlighting #bathroomlights #timbervanity #bathniche #bathroomniche #smartbathroom #bathroomlights #bathroomlight #bathlover #bathlove #interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #jenbishop #heartyourhome #realhomes #brassshower #brasstrim
Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian desig Brothers Jack and Mark Fearon, of Australian design and fabrication company, @__fearon__ first started their business in 2019 as a creative outlet and antidote to their more commercial work.

Their pathway to design was somewhat unusual. Jack, a plumber by trade and Mark, a boilermaker, worked as industrial fabricators making large-scale water trucks.

Jack says he’s conscious of making pieces that are sculptural, but also very usable. “We don’t think our pieces are there just to look good,” Jack says. “We love seeing our pieces in people’s homes and in galleries, restaurants and hotels, with things all over them. They’re for real life.”

FEARON’s handmade pieces are aluminium and designed for longevity. Jack says the material choice means pieces are lightweight, easy to sculpt and entirely recyclable.

Read more on the blog now, via link in bio.

#aluminiumfurniture #australianfurniture #australianfurnituredesign #australianfurnituredesigners #sculpturalfurniture #furnitureasart #modernheirloom #modernheirlooms #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #fearon #aluminiumart #funfurniture #careerchange
Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform Known for his stylish bar and shop fitouts, @jform__ this year turned his hand to an apartment reno and created something really special!

Come and tour this beautiful one bed warehouse conversion in Sydney's Surry Hills on the blog today via link in bio.

Currently for sale though @bresicwhitney

#apartmentinterior #apartmentlove #apartmenttour #mezzaninefloor #mezzaninebedroom #warehouseconversion #factoryconversion #surryhillslife #surryhillssydney #surryhillslocal #shopfitout #barfitout #shopfitters #jform #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #coolapartment #funkyinteriors #customjoinery
When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteri When her styling business took a hit, @vaultinteriors decided to reduce her outgoings by moving to a tiny house. And we're not sure we've ever seen a more stylish one!

Although the move to a container home was motivated by financial pressures, Justine Wilson is loving her new simpler way of life.

Read her refreshingly honest, positive interview on the blog now, via link in bio.

It'll make you want to downsize too!

#tinyhomes #tinyhouse #tinyhome #tinyhouses #tinyliving #livingbiginatinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhouseonwheels #tinyhouseliving #tinyhousenation #tinyhouseattractive #tinyhomedesign #containerhouse #containerhome #containerhomes #containerhouses #containerhomedesigns #interiorstylist #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #jenbishop #smallspaceliving #smallspacedesign #downsizeliving #downsize #downsizingandminimizing #escapetothecountry #hawkesburyriver #hawkesburyriverlife
Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
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Comments

  1. AvatarLucy Chen says

    January 6, 2015 at 11:57 am

    I’ve tried a few weed killer sprays for my paver patio, but instead of weeds, it’s actually moss that grows, more so in winter because we don’t get much sun then, but not really a problem in summer.

    Reply
  2. AvatarJenne White says

    June 10, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    These are the great patio and deck maintenance tip for any home owner. I will apply these tips to my own home. Thanks for sharing this informative post.

    Reply
  3. AvatarWardrobes says

    July 6, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    beautiful pictures patios thanks for sharing this post…

    Reply

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