How to Get Your Patio Ready for Summer Cookouts
When the days are long and the weather is warm, nothing beats spending time out on the deck or patio for some relaxation and refreshment. However, a worn down outdoor space can sour the whole experience. Before summer swings into full gear, it’s worth taking the time to prepare your patio for the upcoming season. Here’s how to get your deck and/or patio ready for those sweet summer cookouts.
How to Prepare a Patio for Summer
Clean Those Surfaces
No one wants to hang out in dirty surroundings for extended periods of time. So the first order of business in preparing your patio should be to thoroughly clean it. Start by clearing away any furniture and other objects so you’re just left with the patio or deck itself. From there, take a broom and sweep away any debris (e.g., leaves, dirt, dust, garbage, etc.). After that, you’ll want to wash every inch of your patio, which can be accomplished via manual scrubbing or power washing -- the latter method is more efficient but runs the risk of damaging your exterior surfaces, so make sure you know how to handle this machinery properly.
Restore Your Patio Floor
Once your patio’s surfaces are sparkling clean, inspect said surfaces for damage. In many cases, patio flooring will need the most attention. If you notice minor cracks or pits in your concrete patio’s floors, you can usually fix these issues with concrete filler. If the damage is deeper and/or more widespread, however, it may be time to resurface your patio flooring. At Anderson Painting, we recommend and install Penntek polyurea concrete floor coatings for these purposes. These coatings are slip-resistant, durable, versatile, beautiful, and protective against moisture, sunlight, bacteria, impact, and more. Outfitting your concrete patio floors with these coatings will transform your outdoor space and make it more than ready for a summer filled with cookouts and good times.
Stain or Paint Your Wooden Patio or Deck
For wooden patios and decks, consider sealing its surfaces with a durable wood stain finish or deck paint. As a general rule, wooden decks should receive fresh coats of stain about every 2-3 years. Quality outdoor deck stain products protect your deck from moisture intrusion, ultraviolet radiation, impact, pest infestation, and more. Professionals can apply these coatings quickly, leaving you with a fresh-looking, durable deck that will last all summer and far beyond it.
Don’t Forget to Clean Your Furniture
Now that your deck or patio is clean and potentially protected by some type of outdoor coating, remember that you need to furnish it if you plan on having guests over for summer cookouts. You might be happy with the patio furniture you have, but it’s safe to assume that these items will also need a solid cleaning before they’re ready for use. Bring your chairs, tables, and other furnishings out to the yard and spray them with a garden hose until all the dirt and grime have completely run off. Then, wipe them down with a cloth or sponge soaked in soap and water and let them dry in the sun before returning them to your deck or patio.
Do Some Landscaping
Lastly, the area surrounding your patio matters just as much as the patio itself when it comes to preparing for outdoor summer fun. If you want to establish a beautiful outdoor space for everyone to enjoy, keep your lawn lush with proper irrigation, mow it down about once a week, and consider installing a garden and/or some potted plant life around your patio. You might even place some potted plants on your patio itself, along with other accessories to make this area more welcoming and lively.
Get the Most Out of Your Outdoor Spaces This Summer
Summer comes and goes all too quickly every year; make the most of this satisfying season by showing your outdoor spaces some much-deserved love. At Anderson Painting, our wide range of home improvement services include patio floor coatings, deck staining, light carpentry, exterior painting, pressure washing, and more. To learn more about us and all we do, call today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
