As the calender turns to March, spring will become more of a reality in 21 days and with that many landscapers or landscaping enthusiasts have begun turning their attention to some of the hardest hit areas of the home after a winter freeze: the driveway.
Freezing temperatures not only affect flowers, plants and gardens but hardscaping as well. Cracks in the cement (which can lead to large breaks and divides in stone) usually occur after a deep freeze and/or a harsh winter, something Northern Virginia landscaping professionals have definitely experienced this winter. As spring approaches in 21 days, replacing that cracked driveway or just creating something completely new is definitely something to take into consideration.
Pavers and stone that are going to be used in landscaping design and or in a driveway need to first be acclimated into the design. Something as simple as sketching out a diagram on graph paper or utilizing an electronic tablet (such as an iPad) can help get the inspiration going as well as solidify any plans. Select the colors that will implement into the design as well as consider any specialty stones and/or patterns.
Once colors, patterns of the pavers and stones have been selected, take the time to contact local authorities if this is a new design. Electrical wires, cables and water pipes that are routed underground could pose as a potential issue if this new design requires deep digging. Ensure that all activity carried out when implementing this design is in accordance to any local and/or state codes.
Now, the greatest time consuming task of utilizing pavers and stones is removing the previous cement and/or pavers and stones! Although it can be fun to break up the asphalt surface, it is the task that will be (and always is) the most daunting. Once the concrete and asphalt have been removed, the placing, slicing and digging can begin!
