What Happens to Your Property During Winter: Signs You Need Hardscaping Come Spring

Harsh winter weather can result in a variety of issues on your property, such as problems with hardscaping elements, landscaping features, and more. Because of this, the team at Stockman Lawnscape wants to address some of the common causes of damage, as well as our recommended solutions.

Winter Problems Needing Spring Solutions

1. Freeze-Thaw Cracking

With the temperature fluctuations of the winter, freeze-thaw cycles regularly occur as water penetrates concrete. This leads to water freezing within the porous material, which can cause larger cracks within your hardscape’s foundation.

Depending on the severity of the damage, there are a few ways to go about refurbishing your cracked hardscape. This can include patching or resurfacing, sealing cracks to prevent future water seepage, or removing damaged pavers and replacing them as needed.

2. Uneven Pavers

In areas like Pittsburgh with more inclement weather, it’s common to see hardscape shift out of place, leading to a need for servicing. This is because frozen ground moisture can expand, which can cause pavers to rise and sink in an uneven pattern.

When this problem occurs, know that the best way to fix the issue includes inspecting the cause of the shift, removing the affected area, rehabilitating the base, and resetting the pavers.

3. Spalling or Scaling

Due to freeze-thaw cycles and, in some cases, deicing salts or other chemicals, hardscape surfaces can experience scaling, which is the slight peeling of the top layer of the concrete, usually about a couple of millimeters in depth. In more severe cases, spalling can occur, which produces deep, pitted holes in the concrete or rust-colored staining.

When spalling or scaling is present, our team recommends resurfacing your hardscape, as it is a cost-effective solution that reinforces the durability of your concrete.

4. Bulging or Leaning

Structural bulging and leaning can also occur when water seeps into your hardscape’s foundation and expands. Improper drainage of hardscape can also be a common cause.

Want to alleviate this issue in the springtime? If so, you’ll need a hardscaping contractor to dismantle the affected wall and improve the gravel backfill as needed. Then, you’ll want to ensure the hardscape is still draining properly before rebuilding.

Maintain Your Hardscape with Stockman Lawnscape

With over 25 years in landscape management experience, the team at Stockman Lawnscape has the expertise needed to turn your Pittsburgh property into a stunning outdoor oasis. So, whether you’re looking to repair your existing hardscape or add on to your outdoor living space, you can trust that your project will be handled with the utmost precision and care.

With that in mind, just some of the hardscaping projects we’re experts at include:

Contact Us Today!

Want to schedule your next hardscaping project? If so, reach out to our team today. We look forward to hearing from you!