Month: September 2015

Landscape Contractor: Retaining Walls Solve a Multitude of Issues in Northern VA

The experts at Premier Paving & Planting (a landscape contractor in Northern VA) know that retaining walls are a solution for many challenging landscaping and hardscaping issues.

While usually thought of in the context of fixing uneven or sloped terrains, retaining walls can be used in a multitude of situations. Got a flat yard? Retaining walls can be used to add dimension and interest around trees. Or you can use retaining walls to add some raised or tiered garden beds.

Retaining walls can be used with patios, steps, walkways, and driveways. For instance:

  • Retaining walls can be used to define a patio or multiple tiers of a patio, and for built-in seating. 
  • Retaining walls can be used to carve out an area for a specific purpose – such as an outdoor fireplace, fire pit, spa, pool, or play area. 
  • Retaining walls to establish boundaries or hold back earth for new stairs, walkways, and driveways.

For more information from a landscape contractor about retaining walls in Northern VA, please contact Premier Paving & Planting.  

 

Should You Be Cleaning the Brick Pavers at your Arlington VA Home?

Yes – you should absolutely be cleaning the brick pavers at your Arlington VA home. Cleaning the pavers will help to maintain the beauty, integrity, and safety of your hardscapes.

There are 5 steps in deep cleaning brick pavers:

  1. Sweep your brick pavers on a regular basis, and always sweep immediately before you clean your pavers with water. A broom with stiff bristles will do the best job.

  2. After sweeping, remove any loose bits of paver before washing with water – you don’t want those bits flying during washing or rinsing.

  3. Power washing is the preferred method to clean brick pavers; however, if you don’t have the experience to judge the proper strength of water to use – you best leave the power washing to the experts. (When using a power washer, follow all directions, especially those pertaining to safety precautions.)

  4. Scrubbing brick pavers by hand is a safe bet, as long as you wear gloves and eye protection. If you have mold, mildew, slime or deep staining, you will need to mix a 10-percent solution of chlorine bleach to water, and scrub the area with a stiff-bristle brush. Afterwards, you need to rinse the brick thoroughly with clean water.  If you only have dirt and minor staining, scrubbing your brick pavers with a milder cleaning solution of one tablespoon of borax per gallon of warm water will do.

  5. Sealing your brick pavers is the final step. This will help keep the brick pavers in their best condition between deep cleanings, and will make it easier to do quick clean ups along the way.

If you have questions or concerns about your brick pavers in Arlington VA please contact the experts at Premier Paving & Planting. Established in 1987, Premier Paving & Planting, Inc. delivers a full compliment of high quality landscape services, including concrete work and lawn and garden services, along with installation of permeable and non-porous paver and hardscape surfaces and structures.