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Let’s face it, you like your outdoor space, but you haven’t been able to use it much. You’re always busy with work and family, and during the rare days when you have free time, you often find yourself running needed errands or doing household chores. Well great news is, spring is right around corner. With it brings the joys of warmer weather, blooming backyard gardens, and best of all- spring break! So, instead of only spending time in your backyard during the summer, why not use it as a spring staycation destination? Skip the expensive flights to crowded tropical locales, the stress of packing for your entire family, and the struggle of getting everyone to your destination. This year, stay at home to enjoy a staycation, right in the comfort of your awesome backyard. Wake up the pool so you can do a few laps during your staycation.

First things first, you’ll want to open your pool and rinse down those pool pavers. Because let’s be real here, what’s a vacation without a little swimming? Blow up your inflatable donut and floaty swan, and head to your own personal beach. Not only will your own pool be less crowded, but there’s also no hotel rules to abide by! Have some extra fun throwing your kiddos in and using the entire pool to play water games like Marco Polo. Plus, the bar tab at your home pool will be much more affordable than the one you would have paid at the hotel.

Fine dining on vacation is also a must, but the hotel restaurant prices are usually steep and it’s always overcrowded. Why not enjoy your own fine dining right at home with the right outdoor features? What’s better than a hand selected kebab of fresh bell peppers, button mushrooms, pineapple and tomatoes for an appetizer? Not much! Take to your BBQ island and let the gourmet meals begin. Maybe you’ve seen a few recipes since the last time you grilled that you wanted to try, and now’s the perfect time to break them out. If you need ideas, here are a few mouthwatering outdoor cooking recipes to get you started!

For more grilling ideas, check out these hot tips from BBQ master and Big League sportscaster Joe Davis: Outdoor Grillin’ with Joe Davis.

Let your backyard double as your vacation retreat!

Remember when you finally chose to replace your yellowing, muddy lawn with that lush, green artificial grass? Take advantage of that smart decision and run around barefoot on your artificial turf. Grab your dog’s favorite ball and treat him to a rousing round of fetch.

To entertain your human family members, try some fun yard games like lawn bowling, croquet or cornhole. Turf does an incredible job of draining the remains of that winter snow and rain, so you don’t have to worry about giving everyone a bath after going outside – there’s no mud in sight! Don’t forget to start up your outdoor water feature, too. Your custom patio won’t be quite as relaxing and enjoyable without the soothing sound of moving water from your fountain.

In hindsight- who needs a long flight and expensive lodging when you can enjoy the same (or better!) amenities at home? Remember to take pictures of your awesome staycation for future memories. When you post them to Facebook, your friends will all wonder what fabulous resort you went to for spring break. They’ll be shocked when you tell them you simply stayed home!

There is perhaps nothing more satisfying than looking out your kitchen window at a beautiful backyard in the morning. As you sit at the kitchen table drizzling syrup on your pancakes, hot off the skillet, you watch the day’s first sun rays light up the outdoor space. The artificial grass is brilliantly green, the garden is in full bloom, and there’s a blemish on your custom patio pavers.

Nope – not in your yard! Your work hard to have a gorgeous home, and while accidents happen, you can prevent mishaps from ruining your attractive space. With the expert guidance from System Pavers, you can keep your pavers pristine with minimal maintenance.

Nature’s clutter A common pain point among homeowners is Mother Nature’s tendency to dust the world with branches and leaves. Remnants of your neighbor’s tree will no doubt find their way to your beautiful paved walkways or patio, and clearing the space is simple. Just take a broom and sweep away the foliage and twigs.

You might see more than dead leaves amid your beautiful pavers. Some homeowners have spotted new life sprouting from the spaces between stones. First, don’t panic if you see weeds! They are not coming from underneath your pavers – System Pavers uses an advanced installation process that prevents plants from growing beneath your stones. Rather, the wind may have blown the seed, which then made itself at home on top of the paver joints. Take back your space by using Roundup to target the pesky plants. Then, hose the surface down the next day.

Don’t let falling leaves ruin your picture-perfect backyard.

Everyday dust Consider what would happen if your left a car parked in your garage for months. You’d likely see a layer of dust form on the surface if the vehicle was left untouched. That’s exactly what happens to pavers. If they ever look “dirty,” you’re probably just seeing naturally occurring dust.

Clean your stone pavers as needed by spraying the surface with a hose. You can wait until you spot unwanted dust to do this, or you can spritz the surface on a more regular basis. Routinely hosing the patio down won’t harm the stones.

Spots and stains As a homeowner, you’re likely all too familiar with the words “oh no!” often previewed by a sharp gasp. When you hear that, something definitely spilled. Whether it was your gal pal Sheryl dropping her wine glass full cabernet sauvignon at your dinner party or your son letting his ketchup-doused cheeseburger slip off the plate during a family cookout, don’t panic. Even if deep-red liquid manages to find its way onto your pavers, you can still keep them looking pristine.

While there are many cleaners available, System Pavers recommends Simple Green. This has worked many times for homeowners trying to scrub out a stain on their walkways or patio. While you don’t have to use Simply Green, definitely avoid bleach. Additionally, if you opt for a different cleaner, test it on a corner or inconspicuous area to ensure it won’t damage your pavers. That last thing you want is for a small spill to turn into a giant mess.

Don’t let stains ruin your outdoor sanctuary.

Seal for security While not a necessity, sealing your pavers can keep them looking beautiful for years to come. The color of the stones may fade over the decades, but protecting them with sealant can help prevent this from occurring. Plus, if an especially tough liquid like grease gets on your pavers, having a sealant will make for much easier cleaning.

Stone pavers are not only low-maintenance but also absolutely stunning. It takes minimal effort to keep your pavers looking pristine, so you can focus on enjoying your backyard instead of taking care of it.