Bruss Landscaping Inc. in Wheaton, Illinois, has been serving residential customers in the western suburbs of Chicago for decades, and much of its work includes outdoor living projects and hardscaping.
The company, now headed by a third generation of the Bruss family, recently offered its customers some advice on caring for pavers during the Windy City’s long winter.
One critical way to protect hardscapes is choosing the right tool for snow removal, the company says.
“We recommend using snow blowers for snow removal in the Chicagoland area,” Bruss Landscaping tells its clients. “Snow blowers maintain a constant level and many come with rubber blades that reduce the chance of ruining pavers.
“If shovels are your only option, however, plastic shovels are much better to use on pavers than metal shovels. When using metal shovels, you risk damaging the surface of your pavers which can cause them to deteriorate over time.”
The company also recommends removing ice from pavers with salt or sand, noting that while salt is the most effective way to do so, it can damage turf and plants nearby.
Sand is the better choice, according to Bruss, which adds that salt should also be avoided on pavers that pets walk on regularly.