Summer in Nashville brings intense heat and high humidity, along with heavy rainfall. These conditions can take a toll on your outdoor spaces, including non-living structures known as hardscapes. Protecting your hardscape investments and other areas of your yard during the summer is essential to maintain their beauty, functionality, and longevity. At Greenway of Nashville, we understand the challenges these conditions pose and are here to provide you with expert advice on how to keep your patio, walkways, driveways, and retaining walls in excellent condition. We’ll discuss practical tips and the benefits of professional hardscape installation in enhancing the resilience of your outdoor spaces.

Protecting Your Patios

Patios are popular outdoor spaces for relaxation and entertainment, but they can suffer from the harsh summer sun and humidity. Due to the variety of materials used to construct them, caring for a patio can vary, but we have some tips to help:

• Seal the Surface: Sealing your patio helps prevent damage from UV rays, moisture, and temperature fluctuations. Sealants create a protective barrier that reduces the risk of cracking, fading, and staining. The benefits of sealing carry over into other seasons as well. For concrete patios, apply a high-quality concrete sealer every two to three years to maintain durability and appearance. For paver patios, use a paver sealer to lock in color and protect against weed growth and staining.
• Keep Things Shady: Providing shade for your patio can significantly reduce the impact of direct sunlight. Pergolas offer partial shade and can be enhanced with climbing plants. Large outdoor umbrellas provide flexible shading options. Retractable awnings offer adjustable shade and can be retracted during cooler periods. Be sure that whatever you select can be easily taken down or removed should a major storm come your way.
• Clean Patios Often: Keep your patio clean by regularly sweeping away debris and washing the surface. This prevents the buildup of dirt and mold, which can cause discoloration and damage over time.

Maintaining Your Walkways

Walkways enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your outdoor space but can be vulnerable to summer conditions. Whether made of pavers or poured concrete, walkways can be prone to disruption due to summer conditions. Here are some ways to maintain them:

• Clean and Seal: Similar to patios, walkways benefit from regular cleaning and sealing. Remove dirt, leaves, and other debris to prevent stains and moss growth. Apply a sealant to protect the surface from moisture and UV damage.
• Repair Cracks: Inspect your walkways for cracks and repair them promptly to prevent further damage. These gaps can cause pieces to shift, affecting walkway stability and safety, as well as allowing the growth of weeds. Large cracks may require professional attention.
• Maintain the Edges: Ensure that the edges of your walkways are well-maintained to prevent grass and weed encroachment. Regularly trim the edges and consider installing edging materials to keep the pathway clear.

Summer Driveway Maintenance

Driveways endure heavy use and exposure to the elements. In summer, they’re often in direct sunlight, exposed to intense heat, and can be affected by drainage problems when there is heavy rainfall. If your driveway installation is aged, deterioration can speed up due to summer conditions. Here’s how to care for your driveway in summer:

• Seal: As with patios and walkways, sealing your driveway helps protect it from heat, humidity, and vehicle fluids. Asphalt driveways should be sealed every two to three years, while concrete driveways benefit from periodic sealing as well. Asphalt retains heat more easily and is less sturdy than concrete, leading to more frequent sealing requirements.
• Clean and Remove Stains: We use our driveways for more than driving, and that includes exposing them to chemicals, paint, and other substances during outdoor activity. Regularly clean your driveway to remove dirt, oil stains, and other contaminants. Use appropriate cleaners for different types of stains and rinse thoroughly to prevent damage.
• Repair Cracks: Inspect your driveway for cracks and repair them as soon as possible. Small cracks can be filled, while larger ones may need professional repair to prevent further deterioration. The longer you avoid taking care of these imperfections, the more they evolve and can become exponential damage over time. Once winter arrives, you may be faced with significant worsening, and the weather may prevent repairs.

Supporting Retaining Walls

Retaining walls add structure and visual appeal to your landscape but are subject to pressure from soil and moisture. With Tennessee’s frequent rain, protecting your retaining walls becomes even more important.

• Manage Drainage: Ensure proper drainage behind your retaining walls to prevent water buildup and pressure. Install weep holes or drainage pipes to allow water to escape and reduce the risk of wall failure. Summer is a great time to do this when the ground is pliable.
• Check for Imperfections: Regularly looking over your retaining walls for signs of damage, bulging, or leaning helps catch the problem before it becomes more difficult to repair. Address any issues promptly, otherwise the retaining wall can fail, leading to issues with structural integrity as well as costly revisions or replacement.
• Control Vegetation: Unruly plants in the area can create added strain or disfiguration on retaining walls. Keep vegetation away from your retaining walls to prevent root damage. Be sure to trim nearby plants and avoid planting large trees or shrubs close to the walls.

Set Yourself Up for Success with Professionally Crafted Hardscapes

Hardscapes work best when they’re installed properly from the start. Professional installation offers numerous advantages, especially in dealing with Nashville’s summer conditions. If you have hardscaping projects coming up, working with professionals like Greenway of Nashville will get you ahead when it comes to maintenance later on.

Part of this is knowing and using the best materials and techniques for your specific needs. As hardscaping contractors in Nashville for more than 15 years, we can ensure your installations are built to withstand the elements and last ages. We’re committed to using only high-quality materials that are designed to endure heat, humidity, and heavy use. This reduces the likelihood of damage and ensures a longer lifespan for your hardscapes. With the proper installation techniques and no shortcuts, we deliver the durability and functionality you deserve. Even the best homeowners don’t have the time, tools, and years of experience to get the results we give, especially when you consider the time you regain by having us take care of it for you. Greenway is proud to work beyond industry standards, using best practices that ensure your patios, walkways, driveways, and retaining walls are installed with longevity in mind. We design and install customized solutions that meet your specific needs and preferences. This includes tailored drainage systems, unique design elements, and personalized maintenance plans.

Explore Outdoor Protection With Greenway

Protecting your hardscape investments and outdoor spaces from Nashville’s summer conditions requires regular maintenance and proper care. By sealing surfaces, providing shade, managing drainage, and promptly addressing repairs, you can keep your patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, gutters, and drainage systems in excellent condition. If you’re looking to enhance your space with hardscapes that will withstand summers with minimal maintenance, then Greenway is here to make it happen! Contact us today to get started with outdoor investments that stand up to the challenges of summer.

At Greenway of Nashville, we’re here to help you make the most of your outdoor space. Give us a call at (615) 238-4574, or complete our form so we can schedule a free, no-obligation onsite visit to discuss your hardscaping needs.