Gardening You won’t need to be a mason to correct small problems with stone and concrete-paved surfaces. Wobbly stepping stones, invasive weeds flourishing between pavers, and shaded paths and patios with slippery moss coating are easily addressed in fall weather. One trip to a building supply store should provide all that you need for these projects. Lift wobbling stepping stones, place the palm of your hand flat on the surface underneath (feeling for the slight high and low areas) and add soil or coarse builder’s sand to the low spots to even the surface level. Tamp down with a flat brick, add an additional thin layer over the entire area, set the stone back in place and settle it with your own weight. Use a small pocket level to determine if the stone is balanced and flat to the ground, and make adjustments if necessary. Shaded paths and patios Flagstones and concrete pavers in shaded locations are inclined to retainmoisture, particularly where overhanging trees diminish air circulation. These conditions are ideal for the growth of fungal organisms andmoss plants that are natural to stone surfaces, but slippery and dangerous to walk on. Scrubbing with acidic cleaning vinegar is an effective way to remove these slippery coatings. Cleaning vinegar is available at hardware stores and some supermarkets. It is not an edible food product, but is a very effective cleaning material for stone and glass, and kitchen and bathroom surfaces. (Edible table vinegar is approximately 5% acid; cleaning vinegar is approximately 25% acid.) It is advisable to dilute cleaning vinegar with an equal amount of water for indoor use; at full strength, it requires gloves and will make your eyes and nose water. Outdoors, it can be used at greater strength if necessary, and will remove slick coatings and stains from stone surfaces. Use a stiff brush or rigid broom to sweep and scrub the liquid across areas; then flush with water from a hose and allow to dry. Test for results, and to locate areas that may require further treatment. Weeds or grass growing between pavers in walkways and driveways can be removed with a sharp, pointed tool, such as a hand-held weeder or the side of a hoe or ice chopper. Remove all leaves, plant parts and loose soil, and sweep polymeric sand through the exposed stone joints until they are entirely filled. Polymeric sand is a fine jointing sand containing adhesive that, when wet, will bond and prevent heavy rain andmelting snow fromwashing through stones, removing sand and unsettling underlying support materials. When the joints and seams have accepted as much polymeric sand as possible, wet the surface down with a fine spray from a garden hose, avoid walking on the surface and allow 24 hours for the bond to set. Expect the polymeric sand to remain active for two to three years, forming a hard seam filler which will prevent weeds from taking root. Stone path and driveway maintenance ExperienceFountainHills.org Enjoy small town charm within the Greater Phoenix Metro Area. Close proximity to: • Six of Arizona’s finest 18-hole public golf courses • Scenic vistas and trails including McDowell Mountain Regional Park • Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake • Fort McDowell Casino & Resort • Many unique dining experiences M FOUNTAIN HILLS WELCOMES CANADIAN VISITORS! CSANews | FALL 2020 | 59
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